RCA Americom was notable for launching the Satcom series of satellites which were instrumental in helping early American cable TV channels gain traction.
In 1986, General Electric acquired RCA and renamed the Americom unit to GE Americom.
Fifteen years later, in 2001, GE sold its GE Americom unit to SES (Société Européenne des Satellites) for US$5 billion in cash and stock.
[1][2] In June 2004, New Skies Satellites was sold to The Blackstone Group for US$956 million.
[3] Eighteen months later, SES Global (formerly Société Européenne des Satellites, now SES, the operators of Astra) agreed to purchase New Skies from Blackstone for US$1.16 billion.