SES revenues up

Satellite operator SES reported first half recurring revenues of  €853.2 million, a 3% year-on-year increase. Reported revenue was up 0.8%, at €851.4. Recurring EBITDA was up 4.2% to €644.4 million.

By the end of June, SES had leased 1,008 out of a total of 1,249 transponders, representing a fill rate of 80.7%. In Europe, SES Astra broadcast 220 high definition channels at the end of June.

Romain Bausch, president and CEO, said: “In the first half, SES has continued to concentrate on the development of our business, in particular in the emerging markets, and on the commercialisation of the new capacity that is to be launched on the 11 satellites in our current investment programme. The new SES-3 satellite that was successfully launched earlier this month and the other five satellites that are to be launched in the second half will allow us to bring substantial new capacity to our customers and therefore support our future growth. The organisational changes that were announced during the period are an additional support to focus on that development and growth.”