10 million new subscriptions for digital TV, broadband internet and telephony services added in 2008
Brussels: Revenues in the European cable industry jumped more than seven per cent last year to €18.2 billion. Demand for digital television, internet broadband and telephony services grew sharply from 41 million subscriptions in 2007 to 51 million in 2008. Including the 43 million customers who watch analogue cable TV, the total number of subscriptions grew to 94 million, according to new figures published by Cable Europe.
The figures, compiled by Screen Digest, showed that total cable industry revenues in Europe rose to €18.2 billion in 2008, compared with €16.96 billion in the previous year and more than double the €8.2 billion total recorded at the start of the decade. Cable now accounts for 58 per cent of all pay-TV homes in Europe.
Manuel Kohnstamm, president of Cable Europe, said: “Cable in Europe continues to grow at a healthy pace despite the economic slowdown. Technological innovation and improved customer experience are the main drivers of this ongoing trend.”
This progress comes as industry leaders including Tony Ball, Chairman of the Advisory Board at Kabel Deutschland; Rich Ross, President of Disney Channels Worldwide; Mike Fries, President and CEO of Liberty Global; Mike Volpi, CEO of Joost and Neil Berkett, CEO of Virgin Media prepare to debate new content deals, technology opportunities and pay-TV demand at the Cable Congress in Berlin in March. At the Congress, which will bring together over 700 delegates, the Executives are expected to renew a commitment to digital services, reflecting the continued transition from analogue to digital distribution.
Of Europe’s largest markets, particularly strong growth was reported in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, matched by consistently healthy demand in central and eastern Europe. A more detailed overview of the Cable Industry’s 2008 data will be given at the Cable Congress.
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