DirecTV Group Inc.

DirecTV Group Inc. posted a profit of $1.4 billion on revenues of $14.8 billion, the company announced Feb. 7.

In 2005, DirecTV attributed the revenue gains to subscriber growth at DirecTV U.S. and DirecTV Latin America as well as continued growth in average revenue per user (ARPU) at DirecTV U.S., and the consolidation of the Sky Brazil financial results following the merger with DirecTV Brazil in August.

DirecTV U.S. added 820,000 net subscribers in 2006 to bring its total base to 16 million at the end of the year. The company added 3.8 million gross subscribers on the year, down 9 percent from 2005. The decline was due to the company’s push to add higher-quality subscribers who contribute more ARPU. The push, along with gains in subscribers with high-definition and digital video-recorder services contributed to the reduction in monthly churn from 1.7 percent in 2005 to 1.6 percent in 2006.

DirecTV U.S. revenues increased 13 percent to $13.7 billion due to the ARPU growth and a larger subscriber base. ARPU of $73.74 increased nearly 6 percent over 2006, principally due to programming package price increases, higher lease fees, improved NFL Sunday ticket revenues and higher service fees for high-definition and digital video- recorder services.

DirecTV Latin America added 249,000 net subscribers in 2006, up 67 percent from 2005 due to growth throughout through the region and a decline in aggregate churn from 1.7 percent to 1.5 percent. Revenue jumped 37 percent to $1 billion due to the consolidation of Sky Brazil’s operations and subscriber growth, partially offset by lower revenue at DirecTV Mexico due to the sale of its subscribers in 2005.

Tandberg Television

Tandberg Television reported revenues of $350.3 million for 2006, up from revenues of $289.8 million in 2005, the company announced Feb. 8. Earnings improved from $47.8 million in 2005 to $55.6 million in 2006.

Tandberg attributed its growth to leveraging its digital compression, on-demand and advanced media software technologies to solidify its position in digital media infrastructure.

In January, Tandberg announced it will be acquired by Arris for 96 Norwegian krone ($14.93) a share, valuing Tandberg at nearly $1.2 billion. The price represents a premium of nearly 50 percent of Tandberg’s recent 90-day trading average, Tandberg said when the deal was announced. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter.

Globecomm Systems Inc.

Globecomm Systems Inc. reported recorded revenues of $36.7 million in its 2007 second quarter, up from $29.9 million in the same period a year ago, the company announced Feb. 7.

Net income jumped from $900,000 a year ago to $1.8 million in the most recent period, which closed Dec. 31. Globecomm attributed the revenue gains to government demand.

Revenues from ground segment systems, networks and enterprise solutions increased 25 percent to $28.4 million due to government work, while revenues from data communications services increased 15 percent to $8.4 million revenue due to life-cycle support services in the government marketplace. Overall, revenues in the government marketplace as a percentage of total revenues increased to 62 percent in the 2007 second quarter, compared to 56 percent a year ago.

Globecomm continues to expect record revenues of more than $145 million in 2007, an increase of 15 percent from 2006.

Pace Micro Technology

Pace Micro Technology, a supplier of set-top boxes to satellite pay-TV operators, posted a profit of 1.4 million British pounds ($2.76 million) in the six-month period that closed Dec. 2, Pace announced Feb. 5.

Shipments of set-top boxes reached 1.8 million, up 60 percent over the same period in 2005. Pace’s results were boosted by a strong recent performance in North America, which contributed 50 percent to Pace’s overall revenues. Pace has U.S. deals in place with Comcast and DirecTV.

GeoEye

GeoEye made the final payment on the $50 million credit facility that funded the acquisition of Space Imaging, GeoEye announced Feb. 5. GeoEye completed the acquisition in January 2006, and the debt was repaid early using cash generated by the assets purchased from Space Imaging, GeoEye said.

"After completing the Nasdaq listing last fall and repaying this debt, the company is now positioned to seek new opportunities and growth," Henry Dubois, GeoEye’s executive vice president and CFO, said in a statement.

Norsat International Inc.

Norsat International Inc. expects to report revenues of more than $5 million in the 2006 fourth quarter based on preliminary, unaudited financial results, the company announced Feb. 2. Full results are expected to be released April 2.

Nayna Networks Inc.

Nayna Networks Inc., a provider of next-generation network systems will acquire privately held Professional Satellite & Communications LLC (ProSat), a supplier of residential broadband satellite systems, Nayna announced.

ProSat, which markets DirecTV services in the United States, generated more than $40 million in revenues and reported $3 million in profit in 2006. This acquisition is the latest step in Nayna’s expansion into fast-growth high bandwidth markets, the company said.

Nayna will acquire all of ProSat’s outstanding interests in an all-stock transaction that is expected to close within 30 days.