Eutelsat says a slight fall in its first-half revenues are entirely attributable to a 2% decline in professional video revenues.
The Paris-based satellite operator says first-half*revenues stood at €755.1 million, down 0.9%
Second quarter revenues stood at €228.9 million, down 3.5% on a year-on-year basis, and up by 0.9% quarter-on-quarter.
But professional video bounced back in the second quarter, while broadcast video benefitted from the launch of Eutelsat 8 West B for MENA and Eutelsat 36C for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Commenting on the First Half, Rodolphe Belmer Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat Communications, said: “First Half revenues were in line with expectations, and we are on track to reach our current and three year objectives thanks to a solid commercial performance. We are also on target to deliver on our commitment to reduce capital expenditure, notably thanks to the highly effective application of ‘design-to-cost’ for satellite procurement
As of 31 December 2016, the total number of channels broadcast by Eutelsat satellites stood at 6,339 up 5.6% year-on-year. HD penetration continued to increase, standing at 997 channels versus 757 a year earlier, and representing a penetration rate of 15.7% compared to 12.6% a year earlier. HD penetration at HOTBIRD stood at 24% up from 18% a year ago.