The number of HD channels broadcast by Eutelsat’s satellites rose by 59% to 333 in the year to March 31.
This represented a HD penetration rate of 8%, compared to 6% a year earlier, the total number of channels broadcast being 4,252 (3,835).
Revenues from video applications rose by 6.3% year-on-year to €211 million in the third quarter (2011-2013) and accounted for 69% of the company’s total of €308.7 million.
Growth was largely driven by new in-orbit capacity at 7 degrees West, the leading video neighbourhood for the Middle East and North Africa, and 16 degrees East, the leading video neighbourhood serving Central Europe and the Indian Ocean Islands.
However, the 13 degrees East Hot Bird neighbourhood, particularly following contract renewals in Italy and Poland, and 36 degrees East, serving Russia and sub-Saharan Africa, also played its part.
The quarter also saw the launch of the first TV service – Ireland’s RTE – using Eutelsat’s Ka-Sat.
Eutelsat now expects its full-year revenues for 2011-12 to be around €1,220 million, compared to the previous target of €1,235 million.
EBITDA should be around €955 million, rather than above €955 million for the financial year.
