🛰 SES Bets Big on Satellite and IP Synergy
Satellite operator SES expects a substantial improvement in its financial performance in the second half of 2026, pointing to the transforming Direct-to-Home (DTH) sector as the key to the industry's long-term resilience.
As Deepak Mathur, President of SES Media, noted, despite a natural subscriber churn in mature markets—particularly the US—demand for satellite broadcasting remains robust across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The operator continues to secure long-term contracts with major broadcasters extending as far out as 2039–2040.
The company highlights the convergence of traditional linear TV and streaming as the primary driver of DTH development. According to Mathur, the industry is moving toward hybrid ecosystems where satellite delivers cost-effective wide-scale reach without scaling expenses, while IP technologies fulfill the demand for Video-on-Demand (VoD) content.
As part of this strategy, SES is developing a next-generation set-top box featuring DVB-IP support and hybrid satellite-plus-IP reception. The commercial launch of the device in partnership with a key client is scheduled for early 2027. The set-top box will enable the distribution of both satellite and IP signals to any connected device within the home network.
At the upcoming IBC 2026 trade show, the operator will also showcase a unified content monitoring and distribution platform tailored for sports and news broadcasters. This single-pane-of-glass solution enables seamless management of signal delivery across satellite, fiber optic, and terrestrial IP networks—reducing operational overhead and streamlining global infrastructure management.
Source: Advanced Television
