Polsat Plus sees multiplay base rise but pay TV numbers drop

Polish free and pay TV operator and service provider Polsat Plus saw its multiplay base rise to close to 2.5 million at the end of March, up by 73.000 or 3%.

The number of contract services for B2C customers increased by more than 200 thousand (1.6%) yoy, and reached 13.4 million.

While the number of RGUs rose year-on-year, Polsat Plus saw a decline in direct pay TV subscribers from 5.3 to 5.2 million, offset by growth in mobile telephony subs, which increased from 5.8 million to 6.2 million. Broadband subscribers were flat year-on-year at two million.

The company said its ARPU rose by 3.9% across the year thanks to multiplay and growth in take up of 5G plans. A price increase in the group’s Polsat Box Go streaming service also contributed to growth in ARPU.

TV Polsat’s revenues from TV advertising and sponsoring meanwhile grew in line with the market. The revenue increased by 0.6% yoy, to PLN 273 million, while the Group’s share in the TV advertising market reached to 28.4%.

Group revenue was up by 3% to PLN3 billion for the quarter, while adjusted EBITDA was down 11.8% to PLN801 million, following declines in both service and media earnings.

“In the face of the geopolitical and macro-economic challenges, we consider our operating results and stable and recurring retail revenue growth to be positive. We concentrate on further ARPU consolidation with simultaneous adjustment of the costs to the new challenges. Our strong financial position and high liquidity enable us to accelerate the implementation of the Clean Energy projects, which will assure growth of our business in the years to come,” said Katarzyna Ostap-Tomann, management board member responsible for finance in Cyfrowy Polsat and Polkomtel (Polsat Plus Group).