In a strong quarter for Virgin Media the operator added a record 55,000 customers in the UK while also achieving a record low churn.
The Liberty Global operator has also fuelled speculation that it could be about to launch its own Ultra HD box with confirmation that its “Preparing to launch new set-top box platform”.
TiVo is currently the first choice in the UK, while in Ireland its Horizon, between them representing 87% of enhanced video customers’.
Customers were also taking more products with Q1 organic RGU additions increasing to 93,000, compared to 16,000 in the first three months of 2010. The UK total of 110,000 represented the best Q1 growth since 2010.
Virgin has a total of 5,170,100 customer relationships; total revenues stood at 1,177.9 million, a rebased increase of 3.7%.
However, Virgin’s Irish operations were less bouyant, with the loss of 19,000 RGUs. Video services came under particular pressure, though broadband maintained current levels.
First quarter customer churn improved from 14.5% to 14.1%.
Project Lightning brought improved broadband speeds to another 70,000 homes in the first quarter. Virgin intends to rollout fibre-to-the-premises to 500,000 buildings in the course of 2016.
