Digital Cable Subs Up in Europe

CANNES, October 14: According to new figures from Cable
Europe, the number of digital cable subscribers in Europe in the first half of
this year gained 18 percent to 16.3 million.

The research published by Cable Europe, which represents
operators across the region, and compiled by Screen Digest, reflect record
growth for the industry. Gains were led by Germany, which reported a 32-percent
increase to 3.4 million customers. France and Spain were both up 12 percent, to
1.6 million and 1.1 million, respectively. There was a 15-percent rise in Dutch
cable subscriptions to 1.8 million. And in the U.K. market, cable was up 3
percent to 3.4 million.

Driving the growth region-wide is improved access to
enhanced services, the research notes. “Demand for digital services is showing
that customers are upgrading their older analogue services faster than ever,”
said Manuel Kohnstamm, the president of Cable Europe. “The new digital services
enable the industry to provide a richer audience experience.”

—By Mansha Daswani