Satellite Television (DBS, DTH, DSat, DVB-S, DVB-S2) News

SES and Samsung unveil Africa's first TV with integrated FTA satellite receiver
Mar 23, 2012 – SES (Paris;LuxX:SESG) has announced that Samsung (Seoul: 005930) will introduce an LED television with an integrated free-to-air satellite receiver that will be distributed in Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire, Senegal, DR Congo and Cameroon.
News categories: SES S.A., Samsung, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, DRC, Ghana, Nigeria, Satellite, Senegal, Smart TV

Latest Set-Top Box IC Family from STMicroelectronics Provides Platform for Innovative Next-Generation Services
Mar 20, 2012 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) has revealed its latest range of set-top box SoCs for HD terrestrial, cable IP and satellite equipment, providing a platform for operators and retailers to deliver internet-based services in price-sensitive markets.
News categories: STMicroelectronics, Cable TV, Digital TV, ICs, IPTV, Satellite, Semiconductor, Set Top Box, Terrestrial

Rovi and Sagemcom Launch the First DivX Plus HD Certified STB for Europe
Mar 20, 2012 – Sagemcom and Rovi Corporation (Nasdaq:ROVI) have announced that the Sagemcom BPRSI88-250 HD TNTSAT set-top box (STB) has integrated DivX Plus® HD, the premium level of DivX certification. The DivX Certified® STB is currently available in France.
News categories: Rovi Corp, Sagemcom, Blu-ray, DVR, France, Media Player, Satellite, Set Top Box, Video Exchange

Competition to boost pay TV in Middle East and North Africa
Mar 20, 2012 – The social and political turmoil that has rocked the Middle East and North Africa region has resulted in liberalisation measures, which will open up the pay TV sector. Digital TV penetration is already approaching 70% of television households.
News categories: Digital TV Research, Cable TV, Digital TV, IPTV, Market Research, Middle-East, Satellite, Subscribers, Terrestrial

Cisco Announces Intent to Acquire NDS
Mar 15, 2012 – Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has announced its intent to acquire NDS. The acquisition will complement and accelerate the delivery of Videoscape™, Cisco's platform that enables service providers and media companies to deliver next-generation entertainment experiences.
News categories: Cisco Systems, NDS Group, Cable TV, Conditional Access, Content Protection, Digital TV, MandA, Middleware, Satellite, Set Top Box

Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR System Now Available From DISH
Mar 15, 2012 – DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH) has announced the availability of the Hopper™, the fastest, most powerful, technically advanced whole-home high definition DVR entertainment system.
News categories: DISH Network, Digital TV, DVR, Gateway, Satellite, Set Top Box, USA

Satellite overtakes cable TV in Mexico
Mar 14, 2012 – According to Mexico's Telecommunications Sector Production Index, at the end of the fourth quarter of 2011 there were 5.645 million DTH users in the country, overtaking for the first time cable TV which finished the year with 5.591 million subscribers.
News categories: COFETEL, Cable TV, Digital TV, Market Research, Mexico, MMDS, Satellite, Subscribers

NDS MediaHighway Enables Advanced Services for Sky Italia
Mar 14, 2012 – NDS has announced that Sky Italia has selected NDS' MediaHighway® set-top-box software to enable an advanced user experience for its subscribers. The new deployment includes the introduction of a new EPG and enhanced interactive features.
News categories: NDS Group, Sky Italia, Italy, Middleware, Satellite

SpaceX Signs Launch Agreements with Asia Broadcast Satellite and Satmex
Mar 13, 2012 – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has signed contracts with Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) and Satélites Mexicanos (Satmex) for two launches aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.
News categories: SpaceX, Asia Broadcast Satellite, Satmex, Content Distribution, Satellite