What They Say
In its quarterly results, satellite operator SES Astra said that the number of HD channels that it is supporting is now 3,150 (+8% YoY) which “reflected early signs of broadcasters considering completing their transition from SD to HD”. The firm also saw continued growth in its HD+ platform in Germany.
70% of channels are in MPEG-4 with a further 5% in HEVC.
Video revenue (60% of the total revenue) was down 4.1% for the year to date, but that’s better than last year’s 8% drop. The company saw the successful launch of SES-17 with revenues expected in 1H 2022.
What We Think
It’s interesting to note that there is no mention of UltraHD in the report. For a long time, the growth of SES was pretty well dependent on higher TV resolutions, but not so much in the future which will be largely about networks. (BR)
40% of SES’s income comes from networking to places that only satellites can reach
