Satellite operator SES has reported financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The company’s revenue at constant exchange rate (FX) grew by 7.2%, excluding German analogue impact.

International revenue increased by 9.3% over H1 2012 to EUR 252.8 million, on a constant FX basis, as new capacity addressing emerging markets was successfully commercialised. Available satellite capacity increased by 74 transponders compared to H1 2012. 

New businesses in Asia included a renewal and capacity extension agreement with Thai DTH broadcaster IPMTV. The agreement renews capacity on the NSS-6 satellite and secures new capacity on SES-8, scheduled to be launched in Q4 2013. In addition, Mediascape, a leading DTH operator in the Philippines, extended its partnership with SES via a new multi-year, multi-transponder deal on SES-7. The new capacity expansion will allow MediaScape to expand its services for the provision of DTH satellite TV.

SES has three more satellite launches scheduled for 2013, each of which contributes new capacity and will accelerate revenue growth in the second half of the year in the emerging markets where SES is commercialising this capacity. The 2013 revenue and EBITDA guidance range of 4-5% growth provided with the FY 2012 results announcement was based on the launch schedule as known in February. While all other assumptions on which the guidance is based remain unchanged, the dates of these satellite launches will now be later than foreseen. These schedule movements are expected to have a timing impact on revenue of up to EUR 18 million in 2013. The project economics and returns on these satellite programmes remain unaffected, consistent with the long term nature of the business.