Global satellite owner and operator SES (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) had increased its worldwide reach of television homes in 2013 to 291m and in Europe to 151m, according to the results of SES’ annual market research, including the detailed Satellite Monitor studies in Europe.
Compared to the previous year, this represents an increase of 5 percent both worldwide and in Europe, strongly driven by the development in Africa, Middle East and, especially, India (+18 percent) and in Asia-Pacific (+7 percent). In Latin America, the household reach grew by 5 percent, and by 3 percent in North America.
In 2012, the direct reach from the SES fleet to satellite homes grew from 99m to 106m satellite TV homes in 2013. Up from 152m to 153m homes, the indirect reach through the feed of cable networks from SES satellites grew slightly; while the number of IPTV homes fed from SES satellites increased by 27 percent to 31m.
Of the direct reach, the strongest relative growth came from the Asia-Pacific region (+21 percent) and Africa, Middle East and India (+18 percent), which confirms satellite’s constant growth in reach and its leading role as a broadcasting infrastructure in general and as digital and High Definition (HD) broadcasting infrastructure in particular.
Said Ferdinand Kayser, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of SES: “The results of this year’s SES Satellite Monitor and market research confirm again the strong role that SES is playing as a high performing video and TV broadcasting infrastructure. Our strong growth is a direct result of our significant investments in new satellites, especially in the highly important and dynamic emerging markets.
“As a leader in video broadcasting, DTH, digital transmission and HD, SES plays a critical role in the provision of communications infrastructure globally and is well positioned to further drive digitalisation and the deployment of high performing video neighbourhoods in mature as well as demanding emerging markets,’ concluded Kayser.
