News Analysis

Munich, Germany, February 19, 2013 - SES  announced today that satellite continued to increase its household reach in Germany last year, with 18.07 million households receiving their TV directly from satellite at the end of 2012. This increase of 524,000 households from year-end 2011 (plus 3 percent) is despite the switch-off of the analogue satellite signal in April 2012 and is driven by continued strong consumer demand for the large programme offer and quality of satellite TV, especially in High Definition (HD). These are the results of the "ASTRA TV Monitor 2012" that SES presented today in Munich a study based on 6,000 interviews in Germany.

Dulles, Va., February 14, 2013— Orbital Sciences Corporation today reported its fourth quarter and full year 2012 financial results.  Fourth quarter 2012 revenues were $354.6 million, up 6% compared to $335.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.  Fourth quarter 2012 operating income was $31.3 million, an increase of 41% compared to $22.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.  

by Peter Galace, Associate Editor

Long Beach, Calif., February 15, 2013 — Following the unsuccessful launch of the Intelsat 27 spacecraft on February 1, 2013, majority owner RSC Energia affirmed last week its unfailing commitment to the long-term success of the Sea Launch program. But despite the assurances from the Sea Launch partners, the company faces grim prospects. In addition to its difficulty to now secure launch contracts necessary for its survival, the company also faces a big lawsuit that could dampen prospects of Sea Launch’s emergence from bankruptcy.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., February 14, 2013—DirecTV reported on Thursday an increase in fourth quarter net income by 31% to $942 million mainly due to addition of  761,000 new subscribers mostly from Latin America.

Fairfield, Conn., February 13, 2013--GE announced today the sale of its remaining 49% common equity interest in its joint venture with Comcast, which includes NBCUniversal (NBCU), as well as the NBCU floors in 30 Rockefeller Center, for $18.1 billion.

Englewood, Colorado, February 13, 2013 — Liberty Global, Inc. said on Thursday it posted a loss of $331 million, or $1.27 per share, on the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to a profit of $322.8 million, or $1.21 per share, during the same period last year.

London, UK, February 12, 2013--Western Europe leads adoption of new media technology as smartphone penetration rises 27% a year according to a new ZenithOptimedia study of 19 advanced markets. ZenithOptimedia tracked the adoption of three new media technologies – IPTV, smartphones and tablets – and forecast their penetration to 2015.

Hauppauge, New York, February 7, 2013 — Globecomm Systems, Inc. reported a 3.2% decline in revenues to $160.9 million for fiscal 2013 six months ended December 31, 2012 compared to $166.2 million in the same period last year.

Paris, February 7, 2013 — Eutelsat Communications reported revenues of $848.71 (euro 633.6) million and net income of US$ 239.13 (euro 178.5) million for the first half of fiscal year 2012-2013 cementing its position as one of the world’s biggest satellite operators.