nc+ arrests decline and TVN sees modest recovery

Polish pay TV operator nc+, backed by TVN and Canal Plus Group, had 2.2 million post-paid customers at the end of December.

The unit posted ARPU of PLN65.70 (€15.80) and full-year revenue of PLN2.2 billion.

The subscriber figure was more or less flat quarter-on-quarter. However nc+ has lost about 300,000 subscribers since its launch, replacing former services ‘n’ and Cyfra+.

TVN itself posted modest full-year growth in revenue of 1.8% to PLN1.555 billion, boosted by a recovery in the advertising market.

Adjusted full-year EBITDA was PLN506 million, up 3%, despite an increase in programming costs in the fourth quarter and the negative impact of an imparimant charge in its investment in Onet Holding.

TVN said it outperformed other broadcasters reaching the highest all day commercial target group audience share in its history at 22.7% while posting year-on-year audience share increases for the four consecutive quarters of 2013.

The group’s management said it was now considering a PLN500 million share buyback programme over the next two years.