45,000 global TV channels by 2020

The global satellite operator SES cmfirmed that it is well ahead with developing its five-pillar strategy for expansion, focussing on Developing Spectrum, Innovation, Investment, Enhancing its sales force and improving organisational efficiency, advanced-television.com reports.

CEO Romain Bausch said these aims would see SES increase its DTH coverage beyond today’s 6200 TV and radio channels. He also explained that the switch-off of German analogue transmissions, and the legacy of 43 transponders which were once of some anxiety as far as their resale prospects were concerned, are now selling very well. At the end of analogue transmissions only 32 transponders were being used, and of those 13 have already been re-contracted and a further 10 will start generating income during this year.

Bausch said he expected all of the remaining transponders to be fully commercialised by 2016, driven by the expansion in HDTV demand.

He said, between 2010-2020 the total number of TV channels will grow by 45 per cent, the growth in HDTV channels will top 255 per cent, to an overall growth in the number of global channels to 45,000.