Canadian Pay-TV Market Losing Subs

EL SEGUNDO: Subscriptions to pay-TV services in Canada were down by 10,810 in the second quarter of the year, with gains in IPTV failing to offset losses in both cable and satellite, according to IHS.

Q2 marked the third straight quarter of losses for the Canadian pay-TV market. However, Q2's decline was less than during the prior two quarters. The market lost 11,950 in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 27,840 customers in the first quarter of 2013. The last time that there was growth in Canada's pay-TV segment was Q3 2012.

Both cable and satellite shed subscribers, with a combined loss during the period of 108,160 subs. IPTV, however, saw 97,360 net new additions.

“For the pay-TV industry in Canada, employment, income and housing starts are the most important factors,” said Erik Brannon, analyst for North American television at IHS. “Although there are positive signs in the economy, pay-TV operators in Canada have their work cut out for them to maintain positive video subscriber growth.”