SES sees record contract backlog

Satellite operator SES reported its contract backlog had reached an all-time high of €7.2 billion at the end of the third quarter, up from €6.8 billion at the end of June.

During the quarter, SES signed a 24-transponder contract renewal with Canal Plus and a six-transponder renewal with the BBC, and brought two new satellites – SES-4 and SES-5 – into service. In Europe, the Astra 2F satellite has been successfully launched and will be brought into service later this month.

SES reported revenue of €1.36 billion for the first nine months of the year, up 1.6% at constant exchange rates, with year-to-date EBITDA of €1.01 billion, up 1.8% at constant exchange rates.

SES president and CEO Romain Bausch said results for the first nine months were in line with expectations, and that revenue growth had been achieved despite digital switchover in Germany. SES confirmed its full-year guidance for 2012 and revenue and EBITDA CAGR guidance for 2012-14.