NAB Perspectives: Mark Rasmussen, Intelsat

Satellite-communications specialist Intelsat is a veritable stalwart of the NAB Show. Mark Rasmussen, regional VP for North America, sat down with SVG to discuss the “huge importance” of the sports market and its “many opportunities” for Intelsat’s new Epic platform.

How important is sports for Intelsat in 2013?
Sports is of huge importance for us. We continue to regard it as a really exciting growth area, not least because it seems the world can’t get enough of live sports — a great thing for the satellite industry in general, and certainly for us! Sports is a combination of compelling content and origination from just about anywhere in the world. Factor in a global audience, and it is clear it fits in perfectly with the business in which we operate.

You’ve recently announced plans for a new satellite platform…
Yes, Intelsat Epic. It’s an innovative approach to satellite and network architecture utilizing C-, Ku- and Ka-bands, wide beams, spot beams, and frequency-reuse technology. We have already announced two Epic platform satellites: 29e, due to launch in late 2015, and 33e, on course for late 2016. The nature of the Epic platform means that it will undoubtedly give sports broadcasters a lot of flexibility.

What’s the overall significance of the NAB Show for Intelsat?
Year in, year out, it’s one of the most important events for us. Everyone engaged in the video business is here, with opportunities for us to meet customers from all over the world; in fact, we are packed wall to wall just about every day with customer meetings! It also gives us a chance to talk to equipment and content providers to get a gauge on where the industry is headed.