Category: Cable TV

FY-2015: Time Warner revenue up 2.8%

BENGALURU: Time Warner Inc reported 2.8 per cent growth in revenue for the year ended 31 December, 2015 (current year, FY-2015) at $28,118 million as compared to the $27,349 million in FY-2014. Adjusted Operating Income increased 18.7 per cent in the current year to $6,923 million as compared to $5,833 million while Operating Income increased 14.9 per cent to $6,865 million in the current year as compared to $5,975 million in the previous year.

Time Warner attributes overall revenue growth to growth across all operating divisions. It says that the growth in Adjusted Operating Income benefited from lower programming charges at Turner and restructuring and severance charges across the company, partially offset by a swing in inter-segment eliminations. It says further that Revenues and Adjusted Operating Income included the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange rate.

Time Warner chairman and chief executive officer Jeff Bewkes said, “We had another very successful year in 2015, demonstrating once again Time Warner’s ability to deliver strong financial performance as well as creative and programming excellence. Revenues grew three per cent and Adjusted Operating Income was up 19 per cent. All three of our operating divisions increased revenue and profits while also investing to capitalize on the shift to on-demand viewing and growing worldwide demand for the very best video content. Warner Bros. had its best year ever in videogames, led by Mortal Kombat X and Batman: Arkham Knight, and remained the number one supplier of broadcast television programming, including the biggest new hit of the TV season in Blindspot. As we embark on what promises to be a very strong year for Warner Bros. theatrically, Mad Max: Fury Road and Creed received a combined 11 nominations for the 88th Academy Awards.”

Bewkes continued, “Home Box Office grew subscribers both on its linear networks and through HBO Now, our new stand-alone streaming service. Once again, HBO distinguished itself with the combination of the biggest Hollywood hits and best original programming. In 2015, HBO received 43 Primetime Emmys, the most in a single year by any network in at least 25 years — led by a record 12 Emmys for Game of Thrones. Turner continued to prove its tremendous value to its audiences, distributors, and advertisers with TBS, TNT and Adult Swim all ranking among ad-supported cable’s top 10 networks in primetime among adults 18-49 for the year. CNN was the fastest-growing top 40 cable network in its key demographic in the U.S. for the year, and Cartoon Network was the only top 3 kids network to grow ratings. Further demonstrating our commitment to shareholder returns, during 2015 we returned $4.8 billion to our shareholders through share repurchases and dividends, and this morning announced a 15 per cent increase to our dividend and a new $5 billion share repurchase program.”

Turner

Revenues increased 1.9 per cent ($200 million) to $10,596 million in FY-2015 as compared to $10,396 million, benefiting from increases of 16 per cent ($88 million) in Content and other revenues, two per cent ($69 million) in Advertising revenues and one per cent ($43 million) in Subscription revenues. Time Warner says that the increase in Content and other revenues was due to higher subscription video-on-demand revenues, primarily from licensing select Turner original programming to Hulu.

Advertising revenues benefited from domestic growth, primarily due to Turner’s news business, and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in Subscription revenues was due to higher domestic rates and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates and lower domestic subscribers.

Adjusted Operating Income increased 32.3 per cent ($1 billion) to $4,110 million in the current year as compared to $3,106 million primarily due to lower programming and restructuring and severance expenses. Programming costs declined 11 per cent due to a decrease in programming charges ($395 million). Excluding the charges from both years, programming costs declined in the low single digits primarily due to lower syndicated programming expenses as a result of the abandonment of certain programming in 2014 and the absence of NASCAR programming, partially offset by higher costs associated with airing the MLB playoffs.

Operating Income increased 38.4 per cent ($1,133 million) to $4,087 million. The current and prior years included $17 million and $137 million, respectively, of foreign currency says Time Warner.

Home Box Office

Revenues increased four per cent ($217 million) to $5,615 million, due to increases of four per cent ($170 million) in Subscription revenues and six per cent ($47 million) in Content and other revenues. Subscription revenues grew primarily due to higher domestic rates, partially offset by lower international revenues, which included the impact of the transfer to Turner of the operation of HBO’s basic cable network in India. The increase in Content and other revenues primarily reflects higher licensing revenues, partially offset by lower home entertainment revenues.

Adjusted Operating Income rose 5.2 per cent ($88 million) to $1,878 million in FY-2015 as compared to $1,790 million in FY-2014, reflecting the higher revenues partially offset by increased expenses. The growth in expenses was mainly due to higher marketing and technology costs related to HBO Now, HBO’s stand-alone streaming service, as well as higher programming costs, partially offset by lower restructuring and severance costs. Programming costs grew 3 per cent reflecting higher original programming expenses, including programming charges.
Operating Income increased 5.2 per cent ($92 million) to $1,878 million in the current year as compared to Rs 1,786 million in the previous year.

Warner Bros.

Revenues increased 3.7 per cent ($466 million) to $12,992 million in FY-2015 as compared to $12,576 million, reflecting higher videogames and television revenues, partially offset by lower theatrical and home entertainment revenues as well as the impact of foreign exchange rates.

The increase in videogames revenues was mainly due to the releases of Mortal Kombat X, LEGO Dimensions and Batman: Arkham Knight. Television revenues increased primarily due to higher licensing revenues, including from the domestic availabilities of 2 Broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory, Person of Interest, Friends and Seinfeld. Theatrical revenues declined as the prior year included revenues from the final two instalments of The Hobbit trilogy as well as The LEGO Movie and Godzilla.

Adjusted Operating Income increased 15 per cent ($187 million) to $1.4 billion, reflecting higher revenues as well as lower restructuring and severance charges and related cost-savings.

Operating Income increased 22.2 per cent ($257 million) to $1,416 million. The prior year included a $36 million foreign currency charge related to the re-measurement of Warner says Time Warner.

February 11, 2016
FY-2015: Time Warner revenue up 2.8%

BENGALURU: Time Warner Inc reported 2.8 per cent growth in revenue for the year ended 31 December, 2015 (current year, FY-2015) at $28,118 million as compared to the $27,349 million in FY-2014. Adjusted Operating Income increased 18.7 per cent in the current year to $6,923 million as compared to $5,833 million while Operating Income increased 14.9 per cent to $6,865 million in the current year as compared to $5,975 million in the previous year.

Time Warner attributes overall revenue growth to growth across all operating divisions. It says that the growth in Adjusted Operating Income benefited from lower programming charges at Turner and restructuring and severance charges across the company, partially offset by a swing in inter-segment eliminations. It says further that Revenues and Adjusted Operating Income included the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange rate.

Time Warner chairman and chief executive officer Jeff Bewkes said, “We had another very successful year in 2015, demonstrating once again Time Warner’s ability to deliver strong financial performance as well as creative and programming excellence. Revenues grew three per cent and Adjusted Operating Income was up 19 per cent. All three of our operating divisions increased revenue and profits while also investing to capitalize on the shift to on-demand viewing and growing worldwide demand for the very best video content. Warner Bros. had its best year ever in videogames, led by Mortal Kombat X and Batman: Arkham Knight, and remained the number one supplier of broadcast television programming, including the biggest new hit of the TV season in Blindspot. As we embark on what promises to be a very strong year for Warner Bros. theatrically, Mad Max: Fury Road and Creed received a combined 11 nominations for the 88th Academy Awards.”

Bewkes continued, “Home Box Office grew subscribers both on its linear networks and through HBO Now, our new stand-alone streaming service. Once again, HBO distinguished itself with the combination of the biggest Hollywood hits and best original programming. In 2015, HBO received 43 Primetime Emmys, the most in a single year by any network in at least 25 years — led by a record 12 Emmys for Game of Thrones. Turner continued to prove its tremendous value to its audiences, distributors, and advertisers with TBS, TNT and Adult Swim all ranking among ad-supported cable’s top 10 networks in primetime among adults 18-49 for the year. CNN was the fastest-growing top 40 cable network in its key demographic in the U.S. for the year, and Cartoon Network was the only top 3 kids network to grow ratings. Further demonstrating our commitment to shareholder returns, during 2015 we returned $4.8 billion to our shareholders through share repurchases and dividends, and this morning announced a 15 per cent increase to our dividend and a new $5 billion share repurchase program.”

Turner

Revenues increased 1.9 per cent ($200 million) to $10,596 million in FY-2015 as compared to $10,396 million, benefiting from increases of 16 per cent ($88 million) in Content and other revenues, two per cent ($69 million) in Advertising revenues and one per cent ($43 million) in Subscription revenues. Time Warner says that the increase in Content and other revenues was due to higher subscription video-on-demand revenues, primarily from licensing select Turner original programming to Hulu.

Advertising revenues benefited from domestic growth, primarily due to Turner’s news business, and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in Subscription revenues was due to higher domestic rates and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates and lower domestic subscribers.

Adjusted Operating Income increased 32.3 per cent ($1 billion) to $4,110 million in the current year as compared to $3,106 million primarily due to lower programming and restructuring and severance expenses. Programming costs declined 11 per cent due to a decrease in programming charges ($395 million). Excluding the charges from both years, programming costs declined in the low single digits primarily due to lower syndicated programming expenses as a result of the abandonment of certain programming in 2014 and the absence of NASCAR programming, partially offset by higher costs associated with airing the MLB playoffs.

Operating Income increased 38.4 per cent ($1,133 million) to $4,087 million. The current and prior years included $17 million and $137 million, respectively, of foreign currency says Time Warner.

Home Box Office

Revenues increased four per cent ($217 million) to $5,615 million, due to increases of four per cent ($170 million) in Subscription revenues and six per cent ($47 million) in Content and other revenues. Subscription revenues grew primarily due to higher domestic rates, partially offset by lower international revenues, which included the impact of the transfer to Turner of the operation of HBO’s basic cable network in India. The increase in Content and other revenues primarily reflects higher licensing revenues, partially offset by lower home entertainment revenues.

Adjusted Operating Income rose 5.2 per cent ($88 million) to $1,878 million in FY-2015 as compared to $1,790 million in FY-2014, reflecting the higher revenues partially offset by increased expenses. The growth in expenses was mainly due to higher marketing and technology costs related to HBO Now, HBO’s stand-alone streaming service, as well as higher programming costs, partially offset by lower restructuring and severance costs. Programming costs grew 3 per cent reflecting higher original programming expenses, including programming charges.
Operating Income increased 5.2 per cent ($92 million) to $1,878 million in the current year as compared to Rs 1,786 million in the previous year.

Warner Bros.

Revenues increased 3.7 per cent ($466 million) to $12,992 million in FY-2015 as compared to $12,576 million, reflecting higher videogames and television revenues, partially offset by lower theatrical and home entertainment revenues as well as the impact of foreign exchange rates.

The increase in videogames revenues was mainly due to the releases of Mortal Kombat X, LEGO Dimensions and Batman: Arkham Knight. Television revenues increased primarily due to higher licensing revenues, including from the domestic availabilities of 2 Broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory, Person of Interest, Friends and Seinfeld. Theatrical revenues declined as the prior year included revenues from the final two instalments of The Hobbit trilogy as well as The LEGO Movie and Godzilla.

Adjusted Operating Income increased 15 per cent ($187 million) to $1.4 billion, reflecting higher revenues as well as lower restructuring and severance charges and related cost-savings.

Operating Income increased 22.2 per cent ($257 million) to $1,416 million. The prior year included a $36 million foreign currency charge related to the re-measurement of Warner says Time Warner.

February 11, 2016
Maiden SCTE India Awards felicitates media & cable companies

NEW DELHI: The first SCTE India Awards for Technical Excellence and Innovation in digital cable and broadband awarded multiple media and cable companies for their Outstanding Contribution towards “Building a Digital India.”

Videocon d2h Limited, Network 18 Media & Investments Limited’s Rajat Nigam, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) Anupam Shrivastava were among the recipients of the Outstanding Contributions towards “Building a Digital India.”

Other recipients included National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology’s Ashwini Kumar Sharma, Gujarat Telelink’s Shaji Mathews, DEN Networks’ Sanjay Jain, WWIL, Cable Operators Federation of India president Roop Sharma, and Federation of Telangana MSOs.

SCTE was founded in 1945 in the United Kingdom and originally called ‘The Society of Relay Engineers.’ It became the ‘Society of Cable Television Engineers’ with the advent of cable television. In 1994, reflecting the changes in the industry, it adopted the name ‘Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers.’ While retaining the well-known ‘SCTE’ brand name, it is now known as the ‘Society of Broadband Professionals.’

Awards were also given in other categories to 22 companies and individuals at the recent event organised by SCTE India. The event exclusively covered by Bloomberg TV India and run by SCTE India’s national secretary Rahul Nehra was inaugurated by the SCTE India team in the presence of Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sambit Patra, and Cisco Systems MD Sanjay Kaul.

Other awards were:

Watch out 2016 “Excellence in Innovation”
• BlueTown
• FlashingPoints
• Harmonic Inc.
• Mann-India Technologies
• MediaGuru Consultants

Make in India- Make for the world
• Corpus Media Labs
• MyBox Technologies
• Technobile Systems
• Modern Communication & Broadcast Systems (MCBS)
• PKOnline Ventures
• Surbhi Satcom
• Rudraksha Technologies
• Magnaquest Technologies

The event also included a panel discussion with Sanjay Kaul of Cisco, Vivek Garg of Reliance DTH, Rajat Nigam of Network18, Sanjay Jain of DEN Networks, and SCTE India founder Col. Vinod C Khare among others.

Important topics addressed during the power panel included the ‘Risk of adopting a new ‘innovation’; advice for next-gen innovators; India overtaking the dragon in home grown innovation for CPE’S to begin with; and 4G=2G, DTH=CABLE=300Channels; and Broadband = <10percent of India.

There were two product launches along the sidelines of the awards, the first mobile cable wallet by Mimotech and the first loyalty reward for cable operators by Flashpoint India.

February 10, 2016
Maiden SCTE India Awards felicitates media & cable companies

NEW DELHI: The first SCTE India Awards for Technical Excellence and Innovation in digital cable and broadband awarded multiple media and cable companies for their Outstanding Contribution towards “Building a Digital India.”

Videocon d2h Limited, Network 18 Media & Investments Limited’s Rajat Nigam, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) Anupam Shrivastava were among the recipients of the Outstanding Contributions towards “Building a Digital India.”

Other recipients included National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology’s Ashwini Kumar Sharma, Gujarat Telelink’s Shaji Mathews, DEN Networks’ Sanjay Jain, WWIL, Cable Operators Federation of India president Roop Sharma, and Federation of Telangana MSOs.

SCTE was founded in 1945 in the United Kingdom and originally called ‘The Society of Relay Engineers.’ It became the ‘Society of Cable Television Engineers’ with the advent of cable television. In 1994, reflecting the changes in the industry, it adopted the name ‘Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers.’ While retaining the well-known ‘SCTE’ brand name, it is now known as the ‘Society of Broadband Professionals.’

Awards were also given in other categories to 22 companies and individuals at the recent event organised by SCTE India. The event exclusively covered by Bloomberg TV India and run by SCTE India’s national secretary Rahul Nehra was inaugurated by the SCTE India team in the presence of Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sambit Patra, and Cisco Systems MD Sanjay Kaul.

Other awards were:

Watch out 2016 “Excellence in Innovation”
• BlueTown
• FlashingPoints
• Harmonic Inc.
• Mann-India Technologies
• MediaGuru Consultants

Make in India- Make for the world
• Corpus Media Labs
• MyBox Technologies
• Technobile Systems
• Modern Communication & Broadcast Systems (MCBS)
• PKOnline Ventures
• Surbhi Satcom
• Rudraksha Technologies
• Magnaquest Technologies

The event also included a panel discussion with Sanjay Kaul of Cisco, Vivek Garg of Reliance DTH, Rajat Nigam of Network18, Sanjay Jain of DEN Networks, and SCTE India founder Col. Vinod C Khare among others.

Important topics addressed during the power panel included the ‘Risk of adopting a new ‘innovation’; advice for next-gen innovators; India overtaking the dragon in home grown innovation for CPE’S to begin with; and 4G=2G, DTH=CABLE=300Channels; and Broadband = <10percent of India.

There were two product launches along the sidelines of the awards, the first mobile cable wallet by Mimotech and the first loyalty reward for cable operators by Flashpoint India.

February 10, 2016
Q4-2015: Charter reports growth in video customers, revenue up 6.4%

BENGALURU: Charter Communications, Inc (Charter) reported quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) net addition of 29,000 residential video subscribers for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q4-2015, current quarter). Last quarter (Q3-2015), the company had added 16,000 residential video subscribers as compared to Q2-2015. As a result, Charter closed the year ended 31 December, 2015 (FY-2015, current year) with 43.22 lakh residential video subscribers, just 2,000 less than the 43.44 lakh residential subscribers that the company had closed Q4-2014 and FY-2014 with.

As has been reported earlier, both Comcast Communications Inc and Time Warner Cable, Inc had closed the current quarter and year with the best video numbers over eight years and 10 years respectively. It seems that the current quarter has retarded or reversed the video subscriber slide in the US for now. Charter says that 2015 marks the first full year in over a decade in which it grew its total video customers, including 33,000 video net additions in the fourth quarter, and 11,000 for the full year 2015.

Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1crore

Charter reported Q4-2015 revenues of $2,512 million, which grew 6.4 per cent YoY as compared to $2,360 million. Charter reported residential revenue growth of 7.2 per cent YoY ($,2,083 million as compared to $1,943 million) and commercial revenue growth of 12.3 per cent YoY ($294 million as compared to $262 million). Q4-2015 Adjusted EBITDA grew by 7.5 per cent YOY. Excluding transition costs of $22 million for Charter’s pending transactions, fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA grew by 8.4 per cent YoY. The company reported a higher loss of $122 million in the current quarter as compared to $48 million in Q4-2014.

FY-2015 revenues increased 7.1 per cent YoY to $9,754 million as compared to $9,108 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose 6.8 per cent YoY to $3,406 million in FY-2015 as compared to $3,190 million. Excluding transition costs for the pending transactions, 2015 Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.5 per cent. Charter’s net loss in FY-2015 increased to $271 million as compared to $83 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

Company Speak

“Our consumer-focused product and service strategy continued to drive Charter’s accelerating customer growth in 2015, including positive video net additions,” said Charter Communications president and CEO Tom Rutledge. “Charter remains the fastest growing cable company in the United States because it provides highly-competitive consumer-friendly products at attractive price points, in simple packages, with quality customer service. We look forward to bringing Charter Spectrum to the Time Warner Cable and Bright House footprints following the close of our transactions, offering consumers better products, prices and service, driving greater growth for our new company and our business partners, and creating value for shareholders.”

Customer relationships and performance

Charter reported 4.9 per cent YoY growth in residential customer relationships in Q4-2015 at 62.84 lakh as compared to 59.90 lakh and increased 1.3 per cent QoQ as compared to 62.02 lakh. Small and medium business customer relationships increased 17.5 per cent YoY in Q4-2015 to 3.9 lakh from 3.32 lakh and increased four per cent from 3.75 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter. Total customer relationships increased in the current quarter 5.6 per cent YoY to 66.74 lakh from 63.22 lakh and increased 1.5 per cent from 65.77 lakh in the previous quarter.

Combined video, internet and voice (VIVE) revenue in the current quarter grew 7.2 per cent YoY at $2,083 million as compared to $1,983 million and increased 2.1 per cent QoQ as compared to $2,040 million.

Average revenue per residential customer (ARPU) in Q4-2015 increased by $0.50 to $111.19 from $110.69 in Q3-2015. In Q4-2014, Charter reported residential ARPU of $108.67.

Video

Video subscription numbers have been mentioned above. Video revenue in Q4-2015 grew 2.9 per cent YoY to $1,167 million as compared to $1,134 million and increased 2.1 per cent QoQ as compared to $1,143 million. Charter’s non-video residential customer relationships increased to 31.2 per cent as compared to 27.8 per cent in Q4-2014 and 30.8 per cent in Q3-2015.

Internet

Internet subscription numbers in the current quarter increased 9.2 per cent YoY to 51.12 million from 47.85 lakh and increased 0.7 per cent QoQ from 42.93 million. Internet revenue in the current quarter increased 16.6 per cent YoY to $781 million from $670 million and increased 2.5 per cent QoQ from $762 million.

Voice

Voice subscription numbers in the current quarter increased 6.5 per cent YoY to 25.98 lakh from 24.39 lakh and increased 1.8 per cent QoQ from25.51 lakh. Voice revenue reduced 2.9 per cent YoY to $135 million from $135 million and was flat QoQ at $135 million.

Residential Multiplay

Residential single play subscribers increased 4.6 per cent YOY to 24.58 lakh from 23.50 lakh and increased 0.5 per cent from 24.45 lakh. Residential double play subscribers increased 3.9 per cent YoY to 17.90 lakh from 17.22 lakh and increased 1.7 per cent from 17.60 lakh. Residential triple play subscribers in Q3-2015 increased 6.2 per cent YoY to 20.36 lakh from 19.18 lakh and increased two per cent QoQ from 19.97 lakh.

February 5, 2016
Q4-2015: Charter reports growth in video customers, revenue up 6.4%

BENGALURU: Charter Communications, Inc (Charter) reported quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) net addition of 29,000 residential video subscribers for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q4-2015, current quarter). Last quarter (Q3-2015), the company had added 16,000 residential video subscribers as compared to Q2-2015. As a result, Charter closed the year ended 31 December, 2015 (FY-2015, current year) with 43.22 lakh residential video subscribers, just 2,000 less than the 43.44 lakh residential subscribers that the company had closed Q4-2014 and FY-2014 with.

As has been reported earlier, both Comcast Communications Inc and Time Warner Cable, Inc had closed the current quarter and year with the best video numbers over eight years and 10 years respectively. It seems that the current quarter has retarded or reversed the video subscriber slide in the US for now. Charter says that 2015 marks the first full year in over a decade in which it grew its total video customers, including 33,000 video net additions in the fourth quarter, and 11,000 for the full year 2015.

Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1crore

Charter reported Q4-2015 revenues of $2,512 million, which grew 6.4 per cent YoY as compared to $2,360 million. Charter reported residential revenue growth of 7.2 per cent YoY ($,2,083 million as compared to $1,943 million) and commercial revenue growth of 12.3 per cent YoY ($294 million as compared to $262 million). Q4-2015 Adjusted EBITDA grew by 7.5 per cent YOY. Excluding transition costs of $22 million for Charter’s pending transactions, fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA grew by 8.4 per cent YoY. The company reported a higher loss of $122 million in the current quarter as compared to $48 million in Q4-2014.

FY-2015 revenues increased 7.1 per cent YoY to $9,754 million as compared to $9,108 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose 6.8 per cent YoY to $3,406 million in FY-2015 as compared to $3,190 million. Excluding transition costs for the pending transactions, 2015 Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.5 per cent. Charter’s net loss in FY-2015 increased to $271 million as compared to $83 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

Company Speak

“Our consumer-focused product and service strategy continued to drive Charter’s accelerating customer growth in 2015, including positive video net additions,” said Charter Communications president and CEO Tom Rutledge. “Charter remains the fastest growing cable company in the United States because it provides highly-competitive consumer-friendly products at attractive price points, in simple packages, with quality customer service. We look forward to bringing Charter Spectrum to the Time Warner Cable and Bright House footprints following the close of our transactions, offering consumers better products, prices and service, driving greater growth for our new company and our business partners, and creating value for shareholders.”

Customer relationships and performance

Charter reported 4.9 per cent YoY growth in residential customer relationships in Q4-2015 at 62.84 lakh as compared to 59.90 lakh and increased 1.3 per cent QoQ as compared to 62.02 lakh. Small and medium business customer relationships increased 17.5 per cent YoY in Q4-2015 to 3.9 lakh from 3.32 lakh and increased four per cent from 3.75 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter. Total customer relationships increased in the current quarter 5.6 per cent YoY to 66.74 lakh from 63.22 lakh and increased 1.5 per cent from 65.77 lakh in the previous quarter.

Combined video, internet and voice (VIVE) revenue in the current quarter grew 7.2 per cent YoY at $2,083 million as compared to $1,983 million and increased 2.1 per cent QoQ as compared to $2,040 million.

Average revenue per residential customer (ARPU) in Q4-2015 increased by $0.50 to $111.19 from $110.69 in Q3-2015. In Q4-2014, Charter reported residential ARPU of $108.67.

Video

Video subscription numbers have been mentioned above. Video revenue in Q4-2015 grew 2.9 per cent YoY to $1,167 million as compared to $1,134 million and increased 2.1 per cent QoQ as compared to $1,143 million. Charter’s non-video residential customer relationships increased to 31.2 per cent as compared to 27.8 per cent in Q4-2014 and 30.8 per cent in Q3-2015.

Internet

Internet subscription numbers in the current quarter increased 9.2 per cent YoY to 51.12 million from 47.85 lakh and increased 0.7 per cent QoQ from 42.93 million. Internet revenue in the current quarter increased 16.6 per cent YoY to $781 million from $670 million and increased 2.5 per cent QoQ from $762 million.

Voice

Voice subscription numbers in the current quarter increased 6.5 per cent YoY to 25.98 lakh from 24.39 lakh and increased 1.8 per cent QoQ from25.51 lakh. Voice revenue reduced 2.9 per cent YoY to $135 million from $135 million and was flat QoQ at $135 million.

Residential Multiplay

Residential single play subscribers increased 4.6 per cent YOY to 24.58 lakh from 23.50 lakh and increased 0.5 per cent from 24.45 lakh. Residential double play subscribers increased 3.9 per cent YoY to 17.90 lakh from 17.22 lakh and increased 1.7 per cent from 17.60 lakh. Residential triple play subscribers in Q3-2015 increased 6.2 per cent YoY to 20.36 lakh from 19.18 lakh and increased two per cent QoQ from 19.97 lakh.

February 5, 2016
Q3-2016: Den activation revenue boost revenue 31 percent; adds 9 lakh digital subscribers in a quarter

BENGALURU: As mentioned earlier, Den Networks Ltd had reported 31 per cent YoY growth in consolidated Total Income from operations (TIO) in the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter) at Rs 352.18 crore as compared to Rs 268.81 crore. TIO increased 29.8 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 271.29 crore.

Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

The company has reported activation revenue of Rs 86 crore in Q3-2016, more than fivefold YoY as compared to the Rs 15 crore in Q3-2015 and more the than three times the Rs 27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company says that it has added 9 lakh digital subscribers in the current quarter, taking its digital subscriber base to 85 lakhs as compared to the 76 lakhs in the previous quarter. The company had reported a digital subscriber base of 68 lakh for the Q3-2015, hence the share of its digital subscriber base has gone up from 58 percent in Q3-2015 to 65 percent in the current quarter. The company says that its Cable DAS ARPU has increased 3.8 percent to Rs 80 in the current quarter as compared to Rs 77 in the immediate trailing quarter.

The company reported EBIDTA of Rs 42.99 crore (12.2 per cent margin) in the current quarter as compared to an operating profit of Rs 0.28 crore (0.1 per cent margin) in Q3-2015 and an operating loss of Rs 11.27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company’s pre-Activation Cable EBIDTA in the current quarter was Rs 6 crore as compared to the Rs 34 crore in Q3-2015 and a negative Cable EBIDTA of Rs 5 crore in Q2-2016.

The company has also ramped up its broadband subscribers by 33.3 percent to 76,000 in the current quarter to 57,000 in the immediate trailing quarter. As had been reported earlier, the company’s broadband segment revenue increased by over five times YoY (5.5 times) at Rs 11.96 crore (3.4 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 2.17 crore (0.8 per cent of TIO) and increased 58 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 8.23 crore (three per cent of TIO). The segment’s YoY operating loss increased to Rs 19.57 crore as compared to Rs 12.37 crore, but reduced QoQ as compared to Rs 23.07 crore. The company says that broadband ARPU has declined by Rs 10 in the current quarter to Rs 760 from Rs 770 in the previous quarter.

Broadband Post Activation EBIDTA in Q3-2016 was negative Rs 16 crore as compared to the negative Rs 11 crore in Q3-2015 and negative Rs 20 crore in Q3-2016.

The company says that its TV Shop has achieved a GMV of Rs20 crore per month with a reach of 5.2 crore homes and a conversion ratio of calls received of 38 percent and 30 percent repeat customers.

February 2, 2016
Q3-2016: Den activation revenue boost revenue 31 percent; adds 9 lakh digital subscribers in a quarter

BENGALURU: As mentioned earlier, Den Networks Ltd had reported 31 per cent YoY growth in consolidated Total Income from operations (TIO) in the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter) at Rs 352.18 crore as compared to Rs 268.81 crore. TIO increased 29.8 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 271.29 crore.

Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

The company has reported activation revenue of Rs 86 crore in Q3-2016, more than fivefold YoY as compared to the Rs 15 crore in Q3-2015 and more the than three times the Rs 27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company says that it has added 9 lakh digital subscribers in the current quarter, taking its digital subscriber base to 85 lakhs as compared to the 76 lakhs in the previous quarter. The company had reported a digital subscriber base of 68 lakh for the Q3-2015, hence the share of its digital subscriber base has gone up from 58 percent in Q3-2015 to 65 percent in the current quarter. The company says that its Cable DAS ARPU has increased 3.8 percent to Rs 80 in the current quarter as compared to Rs 77 in the immediate trailing quarter.

The company reported EBIDTA of Rs 42.99 crore (12.2 per cent margin) in the current quarter as compared to an operating profit of Rs 0.28 crore (0.1 per cent margin) in Q3-2015 and an operating loss of Rs 11.27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company’s pre-Activation Cable EBIDTA in the current quarter was Rs 6 crore as compared to the Rs 34 crore in Q3-2015 and a negative Cable EBIDTA of Rs 5 crore in Q2-2016.

The company has also ramped up its broadband subscribers by 33.3 percent to 76,000 in the current quarter to 57,000 in the immediate trailing quarter. As had been reported earlier, the company’s broadband segment revenue increased by over five times YoY (5.5 times) at Rs 11.96 crore (3.4 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 2.17 crore (0.8 per cent of TIO) and increased 58 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 8.23 crore (three per cent of TIO). The segment’s YoY operating loss increased to Rs 19.57 crore as compared to Rs 12.37 crore, but reduced QoQ as compared to Rs 23.07 crore. The company says that broadband ARPU has declined by Rs 10 in the current quarter to Rs 760 from Rs 770 in the previous quarter.

Broadband Post Activation EBIDTA in Q3-2016 was negative Rs 16 crore as compared to the negative Rs 11 crore in Q3-2015 and negative Rs 20 crore in Q3-2016.

The company says that its TV Shop has achieved a GMV of Rs20 crore per month with a reach of 5.2 crore homes and a conversion ratio of calls received of 38 percent and 30 percent repeat customers.

February 2, 2016
Q4-2015: DirecTV’s subscription numbers up, but ATT Entertainment reports lower video subscribers

BENGALURU: AT&T Inc., (ATT), claimant to the largest Pay TV services title in the world reported a net QoQ decline of 26,000 subscribers for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (Q4-2015, current quarter) for its Entertainment Group (Entertainment). This despite the fact that its recent acquisition DirecTV reported a 1.1 percent QoQ increase (214,000 net additions) in Q4-2015 at 197.84 lakh as compared to 195.70 lakh in Q3-2015. ATT’s other Entertainment segment, the triple play U-verse (broadband internet, IP Telephony and IPTV services) reported a decline of 240,000 video subscribers in the current quarter at 56.14 lakh as compared to 58.54 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter. ATT says that its Entertainment Group focused on profitability and increasingly emphasized satellite sales, including U-verse subscribers switching to satellite.

At December 31, 2015, Entertainment had approximately 522 lakh revenue connections, compared to 344 lakh at December 31, 2014, which included: Approximately 254 lakh video connections at December 31, 2015 compared to 59 lakh at December 31, 2014. DirecTV’s satellite subscribers as of the July 24, 2015 acquisition date was 195 lakh.; Approximately 143 lakh broadband connections at December 31, 2015 compared to 144 lakh at December 31, 2014. During Q4-2015, ATT’s Entertainment added 171,000 U-verse High Speed Internet subscribers, for a total of 124 lakh at December 31, 2015. Total broadband subscribers declined by 37,000 in the quarter due in part to fewer U-verse sales promotions; Approximately 125 lakh wired voice connections at December 31, 2015 compared to 140 lakh at December 31, 2014. Voice connections include switched access lines and VoIP connections.

“We now have a unique set of capabilities that positions us for growth and also gives us a strategic advantage in providing consumers and businesses the integrated mobile, video and data solutions they want,” said AT&T chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson.

“Our DirecTV integration is going well, and the customer response to our new integrated mobile and entertainment offers is strong. Throughout this year, we plan to launch a variety of new video entertainment packages that give customers even more choices. We’re also seeing terrific results from our expansion into the Mexican mobile market. Our LTE network now covers 355 million people and businesses, and in the quarter we had 2.8 million wireless net additions,” Stephenson added.

ATT’s Entertainment Group (Entertainment) segment includes the results of the US satellite-based operations acquired in July 2015 through the acquisition of DirectTV as well as broadband and wired voice services to residential customers in the US Entertainment revenues for the fourth quarter Q4-2015 were $13.0 billion, more than double the year-ago quarter due to the acquisition of DirecTV as well as strong growth in consumer IP broadband and video, which more than offset lower revenues from legacy voice and data products. Q- 2015 Entertainment operating expenses totalled $11.5 billion compared to $5.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014, largely due to the acquisition of DirecTV. The Entertainment operating margin was 11.1 percent, compared to (5.3) percent in the year-earlier quarter with satellite and IP revenue growth and cost efficiencies largely offsetting programming content cost pressure and declines in legacy services.

February 2, 2016
Q4-2015: DirecTV’s subscription numbers up, but ATT Entertainment reports lower video subscribers

BENGALURU: AT&T Inc., (ATT), claimant to the largest Pay TV services title in the world reported a net QoQ decline of 26,000 subscribers for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (Q4-2015, current quarter) for its Entertainment Group (Entertainment). This despite the fact that its recent acquisition DirecTV reported a 1.1 percent QoQ increase (214,000 net additions) in Q4-2015 at 197.84 lakh as compared to 195.70 lakh in Q3-2015. ATT’s other Entertainment segment, the triple play U-verse (broadband internet, IP Telephony and IPTV services) reported a decline of 240,000 video subscribers in the current quarter at 56.14 lakh as compared to 58.54 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter. ATT says that its Entertainment Group focused on profitability and increasingly emphasized satellite sales, including U-verse subscribers switching to satellite.

At December 31, 2015, Entertainment had approximately 522 lakh revenue connections, compared to 344 lakh at December 31, 2014, which included: Approximately 254 lakh video connections at December 31, 2015 compared to 59 lakh at December 31, 2014. DirecTV’s satellite subscribers as of the July 24, 2015 acquisition date was 195 lakh.; Approximately 143 lakh broadband connections at December 31, 2015 compared to 144 lakh at December 31, 2014. During Q4-2015, ATT’s Entertainment added 171,000 U-verse High Speed Internet subscribers, for a total of 124 lakh at December 31, 2015. Total broadband subscribers declined by 37,000 in the quarter due in part to fewer U-verse sales promotions; Approximately 125 lakh wired voice connections at December 31, 2015 compared to 140 lakh at December 31, 2014. Voice connections include switched access lines and VoIP connections.

“We now have a unique set of capabilities that positions us for growth and also gives us a strategic advantage in providing consumers and businesses the integrated mobile, video and data solutions they want,” said AT&T chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson.

“Our DirecTV integration is going well, and the customer response to our new integrated mobile and entertainment offers is strong. Throughout this year, we plan to launch a variety of new video entertainment packages that give customers even more choices. We’re also seeing terrific results from our expansion into the Mexican mobile market. Our LTE network now covers 355 million people and businesses, and in the quarter we had 2.8 million wireless net additions,” Stephenson added.

ATT’s Entertainment Group (Entertainment) segment includes the results of the US satellite-based operations acquired in July 2015 through the acquisition of DirectTV as well as broadband and wired voice services to residential customers in the US Entertainment revenues for the fourth quarter Q4-2015 were $13.0 billion, more than double the year-ago quarter due to the acquisition of DirecTV as well as strong growth in consumer IP broadband and video, which more than offset lower revenues from legacy voice and data products. Q- 2015 Entertainment operating expenses totalled $11.5 billion compared to $5.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014, largely due to the acquisition of DirecTV. The Entertainment operating margin was 11.1 percent, compared to (5.3) percent in the year-earlier quarter with satellite and IP revenue growth and cost efficiencies largely offsetting programming content cost pressure and declines in legacy services.

February 2, 2016