Cable Congress 2010 – Brussels. The annual Cable Congress opened today on a highly positive note with an overall revenue growth of 3%, €17.9 billion up from €17.4 billion in 2008.
Cable Europe MD Caroline van Weede told delegates that digital TV revenues were up 20%, €4.74 billion up from €3.94 billion in the previous year. Last year digital TV accounted for over half of all TV revenues (51%) with VOD, PVRs and HD as the main drivers.
In terms of absolute homes connected, analogue still leads the way with 65% of all homes still taking analogue and 35% digital. In 2008 the division was 71% vs 21% in favour of analogue. 21.5 million homes now subscribe to digital across Europe, representing a 21% growth.
Broadband revenues were 3% up, totalling €4.8 billion, up from €4.7 billion in 2008. Telephony revenues were up 7%, €3 billion up from €2.8 billion.
In terms of numbers of subscribers, broadband via cable was up 13.4% with 21.5 million homes now with internet access (18.9 million in 2008). The number of telephony homes increased by 14.8% (€16.2 million, up from €14.1 million)
German cablers in particular continue to show stellar growth: with cable broadband growing 45% and cable telephony up 50%.