Dutch cable operator Ziggo’s total number of TV customers dropped to 2,981,000 on March 31, down 2.4% compared to the previous year. However, the number of consumers RGUs was up 3.4% to 6,919,000, compared with 6,694,000.
In line with most cable operators across Europe, Ziggo reported a drop in the number of analogue only customers. The total stood at 761,000 at the end of March, down 35.1% from 1,171,000 a year earlier.
The total number of digital customers was up 15.9% to 2,220,000 (adding 305,000 from 1,915,000). Of these, 957,000 homes took some kind of additional pay services (up 3.9% from 921,000). The figure includes extended tiers as well as premium channels. The number of digital TV customers represented more than 74% of the cabler’s customer base.
The total number of triple play customers was up 16.8%, from 1,144,000 to 1,336,000. During the period, ARPU went up 10.5%, from €35.9 to €39.70.
The number of broadband internet subscribers was up 138,000 or 8.7% y-o-y, broadband penetration 57.9% of Ziggo’s total customer base. Telephony subscribers was up 196,000 or 16.2% y-o-y, penetration 47.2.% of customer base.
In a statement, CEO Bernard Dijkhuizen commented: “I am pleased to report another quarter of significant progress for Ziggo. Not only have we continued strong growth with the first quarter being close to a record quarter in terms of net adds for the All-in-1 bundle but we also successfully completed our IPO. We were excited to see that our enthusiasm for the Ziggo story is shared by many investors across the world. The overwhelming interest in our IPO is a clear confirmation of the confidence many investors have in the company’s future potential.
“In parallel to the IPO process, we continued to focus on the business, which again showed a strong performance. Early this year, we restarted our marketing campaigns which resulted in continued strong growth in all our digital consumer services and business bundles. The introduction of HBO in the Dutch market supported our leadership position in media and entertainment as we are offering new premium content to our subscribers.”
On March 27, Ziggo released an update of the TV app for smartphones and tablets, adding two live channels as well as a personalised TV home window, new link-ups with social media, an integrated search function and an improved short EPG when watching live TV. Approximately 388,000 iOS users, of which 54% are iPad users, have downloaded and actively used the app since its launch.
In early February, Ziggo launched HBO in the Netherlands. For a monthly subscription fee of €14.95 (as part of the introductory promotion the first two months are free of charge) Ziggo offers three 24-hour, commercial-free linear HD (and SD) channels – as well as HBO On Demand and HBO GO. A total of 57,000 subscribers to the promotional offer for HBO were added in the first quarter since its introduction. HBO Nederland also intends to offer its services through other TV operators.
The number of customers with an interactive set-top box grew to over 280,000 by the end of Q1 2012 compared to 86,000 by the end of Q1 2011. Ziggo employs a retail model for its STBs with consumers buying the cable tuner. Most early models were zapper boxes only.
Ziggo also reported a €3.9 million net loss from joint ventures predominantly relates to the 50% share in the results of HBO Nederland, the joint venture with HBO.
