The new sports channel MySports Swiss cable operator UPC launched in September 2017 has gained around 45,000 subscribers by the end of 2017.
The cable companies intend to use the channel distributed exclusively on Swiss cable networks to compete with Swisscom’s IPTV platform and to stop the decline in TV customers. The schedule includes live games of the National Swiss Ice-Hockey League, German Bundesliga, Formula E, handball, volleyball and basketball.
The number of MySports distribution partners increased from 15 to 18 by the end of last year. Through a carriage deal with FL1, the channel is now also available in Liechtenstein.
Internet and telephony were the growth drivers for UPC in 2017. In Switzerland, the number of internet customers rose by 7,000 to 547,000, the number of fixed-line customers by 26,000 to 538,000 and the number of mobile customers by 35,000 to 115,000.
In Austria, the number of internet customers increased by 12,000 to 516,000, the number of fixed-line customers by 32,000 to 458,000 and the number of mobile customers by 34,000 to 64,000.
Parent company Liberty Global announced in December 2017 that it would sell UPC Austria to T-Mobile Austria, the Austrian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom.
