Despite a bleak economic climate, European Pay TV providers continue to add new subscribers. Collectively, Europe’s top ten providers added nearly 1.5 million new subscribers in the first quarter of 2011, according to a report just published by Strategy Analytics.

UK-based BSkyB holds on to the title of the largest Pay TV service provider in Western Europe, posting 10.1 million subscribers at the end of Q1’11, while French IPTV operators SFR and Free each saw their strongest first quarter results in four years.

Russia, China, Japan and India are among the countries challenging the US in Space leadership according to the fourth annual Space Competitiveness Index Report by Futron.

Growth still robust in a number of segments and regions according to new Euroconsult report

Mobile subscriber growth in the Philippines is experiencing a slowdown due to the fact that the market is approaching saturation, according to the latest Research and Markerts report entitled: "Philippines Telecommunications Report Q4 2011." This report incorporates the latest figures provided by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Globe Telecom and Digital Telecommunications Philippines (Digitel) into the forecast scenarios, with minor changes in mobile and ARPU expectations.

As Digital Switch Over in Europe proceeds, generally without hiccups, the battlelines are being drawn betweenbroadcasters and multimedia operators over the use of spectrum. Europe continues to lead the world in the switch over to digital television.By the end of 2011 DTT should be well advanced across the European Union and the 2012 EU directive for switch-off is expected to be met by almost all member states.

The IABM (International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers)  released the fourth edition of its "Broadcast and Media Technology: Global Market Valuation and Strategy to 2015" study. Based on original research commissioned from IHS Screen Digest, the study offers unique insights into the recovery and growth of the worldwide broadcast industry.

Euroconsult announced the findings of its most recent study of fixed satellite services. Company Profiles, Analysis of FSS Operators, now in its 4th edition, is the only report available worldwide which provides in-depth profiles of all 37 currently-active FSS satellite operators, plus nine companies that will launch commercial satellites in the near future. Through these detailed profiles, Euroconsult provides insight into individual operators and paints a picture of the overall market.

Consulting firm Analysys Mason's recent pay-TV forecasts for Europe, predicts that the number of pay-TV households will increase by 12% to 185.2 million between 2011 and 2016.  "Over-the-top services are far more likely to appeal as complementary, rather than primary, pay-TV services." according to Cesar Bachelet, Senior Analyst at Analysys Mason.

Collaborative efforts to improve maritime operations with cutting-edge communications were advanced recently during Broadband Maritime Europe 2011, where the international shipping and broadband satellite communications industries began co-ordinating on training, regulatory and other shared priorities.

Broadcasters and producers are experimenting with strategies that stream on demand applications to mobile devices. Hampered by steep fixed costs, limited distribution and scheduled services that proved less than appropriate to small screen viewing, the first generation of Mobile TV has been superceded by streamed on-demand applications more in tune with the way we want to consume content on the go.  When Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany and Austria shuttered theirDVB-H networks in quick succession last year it left Italy with the only successful service in Europe.