PanAmSat closes in on global goal. (Pan American Satellite Corp.; communications satellites) (Special Report: Satellites)

Broadcasting & Cable, February, 1994 by Cooper, Jim

Closely held company has almost $1 billion in prelaunch business

After five years of wrangling with government regulations, lawsuits and corporate competitors, PanAmSat is on the verge of becoming the first privately held global satellite system.

This spring, PanAmSat will launch the second of four satellites. PAS-2 will cover the Pacific Ocean region, and PanAmSat is confident that money will be made by having the most broadcast/programming tenants on its transponders.

Indeed, the difference between getting by and getting rich in the burgeoning international satellite market will hinge on filling up video capacity.

Ascent Communications projects that the real growth area in international satellite business between 1992...