Digital TV usurps broadband as cable growth driver

Digital TV services are overtaking broadband as the key growth drivers for cable operators, Cable Congress delegates were told this morning.

Speaking at the event, Guy Bisson, research director, television, IHS Screen Digest, said European cable operators had seen a 10% increase in broadband and telephony revenues compared with an 18% increase in digital TV revenues. Just under half of all European cable subscribers take digital TV services, but 65% of revenues come from digital services, Bisson said. “After prolonged focus on broadband, cable is coming full circle back to its roots, television. It will be the key driver for future revenues and the TV growth story is about digital,” he said.

Looking to the future, Bisson said that delivering multiscreen services would be a natural progression for operators that offer triple-play bundles, particularly in markets that become saturated.