DIRECTV  today reported that first quarter 2014 revenues increased 4% to US$ 7.86 billion, adjusted operating profit before depreciation and amortization(OPBDA) increased 7% to US$ 2.22 billion, adjusted operating profit increased 7% to US$ 1.51 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share improved 14% to $1.63 compared to last year’s first quarter.

ITC Global, a provider of satellite communications to remote and harsh environments announced today that it completed a successful first quarter 2014, signing over US$ 30 million in new long-term service contracts.  The sales come from several new customers, as well as renewals and upgrades from existing clients. The first three months of the year also marked the successful deployment of 27 custom networks for clients across all three of the company’s primary markets – energy, mining, and maritime.  

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is now accepting speaking proposals for the 2014 Content and Communications World (CCW) and Satellite Communications Conference and Expo (SATCON), held November 12-13, 2014 in New York. CCW is a leading media, entertainment and communications technology event focusing on content creation, management and delivery technologies. SATCON offers a conference and exhibition serving companies in the satellite-enabled communications and content delivery industry.

Maximizing the successful operation of the oil & gas rigs of the future will depend on bandwidth usage level of 100 times that of today. This was the analysis of Brastrading, the Florida, USA, based company which provides engineering and high-level logistics, services, equipment and worldwide telecom solutions for the oil & gas market.

High definition viewing will soon be a technology of the past, with the proliferation of 4K coming Asia’s way.  4K, also commonly known as ultra-high definition (UHD), is an evolved standard that greatly surpasses HD, bearing a minimum pixel count of 3840 x 2160 compared to the latter’s standard of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Naturally, 4K brings to viewers sharper, higher clarity images and videos.

BroadcastAsia2014 – Offering a preview of cutting-edge 4K technology

ViaSat’s fiscal year 2014 results reflected strong growth. Revenues increased 21% to US$ 1.4 billion and Adjusted EBITDA grew 35% to US$ 221.2 million compared to last year. Net income attributable to ViaSat common stockholders rose to US$ 0.44 per share on a non-GAAP diluted basis, or a loss of US$ 0.21 per share on a diluted GAAP basis - compared to fiscal year 2013 net income of US$ 0.02 and a loss of US$ 0.94 per share, respectively.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2014, satellite operator Telesat reported consolidated revenue of CDN$ 242 million, an increase of 11% (CDN$ 23 million) compared to the same period  in 2013.

Intelsat S.A. today reported total revenue of US$ 628.9 million and net income attributable to Intelsat S.A. of US$ 81.9 million, or $0.70 per common share on a diluted basis, for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The company reported adjusted net income per diluted common share1 of $0.92 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Orbital Sciences Corporation today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Alliant Techsystems (ATK), which will combine Orbital and ATK’s Aerospace and Defense (A&D) Groups to create a US$ 4.5 billion (combined calendar year 2013 annual revenue), 13,000-person space, defense and aviation systems developer and manufacturer.

On Thursday April 24,  a verdict was handed down by a jury in the case brought by ViaSat against Loral Space and Communications and Space Systems/Loral (SS/L).  ViaSat prevailed and SS/L – but not Loral Space and Communications – was found guilty of infringing three of ViaSat’s patents and of breaching certain non-disclosure agreements.   Loral and SS/L plan to appeal the jury decision.