Belgacom sees TV growth despite loss of football exclusivity

Belgian telco Belgacom saw its TV base grow by 52,000 in the last quarter despite its loss of an exclusive hold on rights to the country’s football league, the Jupiler League.

Belgacom reported 1.139 million TV customers, including 963,000 fixed-line TV customers, at the end of September, up 168,000 year-on-year, of which 176,000 took its multiroom offering.

TV revenues grew by 11.7% to €52 million, slower than in previous quarters due to Belgacom’s decision to give free access to football to all TV customers and some churn related to the loss of exclusivity. The company saw 8,100 football subscribers leave by the end of September, less than expected. TV ARPU fell by 7.6% year-on-year to €17.80.