Eutelsat has posted broadcast revenues of €190.6 million for Q1 2020-21, or the quarter ending September 30.
This was a reported 2.1% less than in the same period last year. The company’s total revenues in the quarter amounted to €315.3 million, 0.7% down on Q1 2019-2020. The number of operational transponders as of September 30 stood at 1,382, up from 1,376 three months earlier but five less than 12 months earlier. The number of utilised transponders was 966, up from 960 three months earlier and identical to that 12 months earlier. The fill rate was 69.9%.
As of September 30, the total number of channels broadcast by Eutelsat satellites stood at 6,683, down 4% year-on-year. The number of HD channels stood at 1,739 versus 1,582 a year earlier, up by 10% and represented 26% of channels compared with 22.7% a year earlier. As a result, the Mbps consumption was stable year-on-year.
Commenting on the results, CEO Rodolphe Belmer said: “Eutelsat has made a solid start to the year, with Operating Verticals revenues in line with expectations and a backlog of €4.4 billion, up 3% year-on-year. Highlights of the First Quarter include the renewal of the Sky Italia contract at Hotbird, confirming the ongoing relevance of satellite in Western Europe, and significant steps in our Fixed Broadband strategy with the acquisition of Bigblu Broadband Europe ahead of the imminent entry into service of Eutelsat Connect.
“This performance demonstrates the general resilience of our business to the current environment. Although the rate of new business in certain verticals, in particular in Broadcast, is slower than usual against the general operating backdrop, we have nevertheless produced a solid commercial outturn securing several new contracts and renewals on favourable terms. Based on this performance we confirm our financial objectives for the current year and subsequent year.”
