Satellite and cable television operators are losing subscribers at an alarming rate, according to a new report by Strategy Analytics, which tracks the industry.
The top 20 service providers in the nation—which includes DISH Network, DirectTV and Time Warner Cable, among others—saw subscriber losses of 479,000 in the second quarter of 2015, while the operators in Canada lost 53,000 customers. That comes on the heels of staggering losses during the first quarter.
Digital platforms were not immune from the decline, as digital TV subscriptions in the U.S. fell by 62,000.
While subscriber numbers have been on a roller coaster ride for many years, the average revenue per user, or ARPU, has almost consistently been on an upward trajectory. Second quarter results show Dish Network lost 81,000 subscribers, even after accounting for growth in the company’s new OTT service, Sling TV. At the same time, Dish Network’s Video ARPU increased by 2.5% quarter-over-quarter and 4.5% year-over-year.
Similar increases were reported by DirecTV, Charter, and Time Warner Cable.
Read the Strategy Analytics report. Read a recent Business Report story about viewers foregoing cable and what it means for Louisiana’s biggest providers.
