The statement continues: “This substantial technical reach compared with 325 million households in 2016 means that SES is now delivering video content to more than 1 billion global viewers.”

According to Satellite Monitor, the increased technical reach is explained by the expansion of the survey’s coverage to include new countries (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Turkey) and the wider reach of the Yahlive satellite service, namely in the Maghreb countries, together accounting for 17 million more SES TV homes. “On a like-for-like basis, the technical reach grew by 9 million SES TV homes, mainly in Nigeria, Ghana and the Middle East.”

Out of its 351 million TV homes, SES directly reaches 145 million, and indirectly serves another 147 million cable homes, 40 million IPTV homes, and 18 million terrestrial homes.

“Europe continues to be a strong and resilient market where satellite broadcasting is a highly attractive platform for reliable and cost-effective video delivery to large audiences. SES now reaches 167 million TV homes in Europe, up from 156 million in 2016.”