Astra's star turn

Article Abstract:

Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES) has, through its Astra satellite and direct-to-home (DTH) system, become Europe's top television broadcasting company. SES director-general Pierre Meyrat's consumer-based strategy outpaced that of Eutelsat, the powerful consortium of national broadcasting monopolies. Meyrat succeeded through satellite packaging and programming designed to give programmers value for their money. SES was also responsible for the creation of the DTH satellite broadcasting market through its improvements in and active marketing of home satellite reception dishes. Not only did it eat up market shares across the EC, SES also defied EC policymakers who pushed for high-definition television (HDTV). Meyrat, like the majority of broadcasters, is opposed to EC-wide switching to MAC-standard simulcasts, preferring instead a movement to Digital HDTV.

Europe, Telecommunications systems, Direct broadcast satellite television, Satellite television, Company Profile, Societe Europeenne des Satellites

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Suez invasion

Article Abstract:

The Compagnie Financiere de Suez has been under the direction of Renaud De La Geniere since 1986, and since that time the firm has expanded as the result of two successful takeover bids. Suez acquired control of the Societe Generale de Belgique, the Belgian industrial conglomerate, and Victoire, France's biggest private insurance company. De La Geniere's objective is to make Suez one of the top five groups in Europe focused on financial services. However, some market analysts believe that the rapid growth experienced by Suez may have left it open as an acquisition target. Future plans for Suez include targeting acquisitions located in Italy and Spain.

Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Societe Generale de Belgique S.A., De La Geniere, Renaud, Compagnie Financiere de Suez, Groupe Victoire

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Star of the small screen

Article Abstract:

Canal Plus has become the leading pay-television station in France since its beginning in 1984. The station is dominant in the European market as well, with more than three million household viewers. Canal Plus enjoyed better-than-expected net profits of 910 million French francs in 1990 through a combination of effective marketing, sound management, and hit films. One success factor is that the station broadcasts new films one year after they are released to movie theaters. Canal Plus added sports programming after the government refused to allow the station to allocate over 45% of air time to films, and this has been a successful strategy.

Television broadcasting, Marketing, Canal Plus S.A., Subscription television

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