May 12, 2008

Mixed Results: Operators’ HD Data Spotty Yet Revealing

Concise breakdowns of HD-related service numbers aren’t yet a part of multichannel ops’ earnings results. Instead, high-def data remain a highlight for some, an oversight for others and a selective disclosure for many. Also, the results are often couched in an advanced services basket, preventing the discovery of hard HD numbers. Even so, a serviceable gauge of progress in the area may still be gleaned from certain 1Q numbers–save for data from Verizon and AT&T, which were devoid of related updates.

Let’s start with Comcast, which counts 6.9mln subs with advanced services such as DVRs and/or HDTV. The number represents 43% of the MSO’s digital customers and 33% Y-over-Y growth. In 1Q, 450K digital subs added advanced services.

DirecTV has experienced 40% growth in advanced services customers to more than 7mln. Approx half of the satcasters’ 1Q gross adds ordered HD and/or DVR services, and 60% of new subs purchased such services. DirecTV currently offers approx 95 national HD nets and local HD in 77 markets.

Time Warner Cable added a record 418K HD-capable subs in 1Q, bringing the op’s total to 3.4mln, or 41% of digital subs. The MSO expects HD penetration to breach the 50mln mark by year-end, and currently offers 50 high-def nets in large parts of NYC, where an all-digital transition later this year will swell the total to more than 100.

As of Mar 31, Cablevision tallied more than 1.1mln HD customers, a 12% sequential increase and 56% Y-over-Y surge.

31% of Mediacom’s digital subs, or 181K, receive advanced services, representing 23% Y-over-Y growth.