Just days after the total loss of its latest satellite, Eutelsat Communications has reported a rise in first quarter revenues of 12.9% to €285.6 million, reflecting growth across the board.
In a statement, chief executive Michel de Rosen said that despite last week’s failure of Eutelsat W3B, the Paris-based operator was standing by its financial objectives both for the current period and 2010 -2013. “Eutelsat once again delivered double-digit revenue growth, reflecting the dynamism of all the Group’s markets, each of which reported a significant rise in sales. These quarterly revenues are in line with our expectations, underpinned by the full effect of the W7 satellite”.
Launched late last year Eutelsat W7 replaced the Seasat 1 satellite and serves Russia, the CIS, Central Asia and Africa, which between them have represented 28.1% channel growth over the last 12 months. Significantly, 60% of new HD channels across the Eutelsat fleet serve Eutelsat’s so-called “Second Continent”.
In all as of September 30, 2010, Eutelsat’s fleet was broadcasting a total of 3,700 television channels, up 11%, from 3,329 last year.
The operator confirmed that following the loss of W3B, Eurobird 16, W2M and Sesat 1 would remain in service at 16 degrees East until the arrival in of W3C in mid-2011.
Eutelsat will also immediately initiate a replacement satellite programme, called W3D, for a planned launch in the first quarter of 2013.
Eutelsat launch schedule
| Satellite | Estimated launch | Transponders |
| KA-SAT | December 2010 | > 80 Ka beams |
| W3C | July 2011 | 53 Ku 3 Ka |
| Atlantic Bird 7 | October – December 2011 | 50 Ku |
| W6A | July – September 2012 | 40 Ku |
| W5A | October – December 2012 | 48 Ku |
| Eurobird 2A/ Es’hail | H1 2013 | 24 Ku / 14 Ka |
| W3D | Q1 2013 | TBC |
Source: Eutelsat
