Satellite company SES has achieved total revenues of EUR1.36 billion for the first nine months of the year, up by 6.1% compared to the same period last year. On a constant FX basis, this figure was up by 1.6% despite the significant impact of the switch-off of analogue transmissions in Germany at the end of April.

The first nine months of 2012 also witnessed the successful launch of three satellites, two of which—SES-4 and SES-5—have now been brought into service. SES’ 52nd satellite, ASTRA 2F, was successfully launched on an Ariane 5 rocket on September 29 and will enter commercial service later this month. The satellite carries Ku- and Ka-band payloads for the delivery of high-performance DTH and next generation broadband services. For the third quarter, revenue increased by 8.7% to EUR467.7 million, benefiting from a stronger U.S. dollar.

Other financial highlights include a record high for contract backlog to EUR7.2 billion. Year-to-date, there has been a total of EUR1.3 billion of renewals and new contracts signed, including the 24-transponder long-term contract renewal by Canal+ and six-transponder contract renewal by the BBC.

“The financial results for the first nine months of 2012 are in line with our expectations despite the impact of the end of analogue TV broadcasting in Germany at the end of April. In the period, SES has successfully launched three spacecraft (SES-4, SES-5, ASTRA 2F), two of which have already entered service. New business and renewals have further increased our backlog of future contracted revenue to an all-time high of EUR7.2 billion, underlining the confidence and trust that our customers place in us. Full year 2012 revenue and EBITDA growth is expected to be in line with guidance. SES also reiterates the 2012-2014 revenue and EBITDA CAGR guidance (at constant FX) of approximately 4.5%. Once again, SES has demonstrated the resilience of the satellite sector in the economic downturn,” said Romain Bausch, President and CEO of SES.