DIRECTV Adds 600,000 HD & DVR Subs
The satcaster began its high-def expansion in the third quarter.
By Swanni
The satcaster said the number represents a 60 percent increase over last year's third quarter.
DIRECTV began its high-def expansion in the third quarter, jumping from 10 HD channels to more than 70 high-def channels by the end of October.
While the company did not break out the HD and DVR sub numbers, the high-def channel addition likely was the significant driver of the "HD and DVR" sub growth.
In an investors call yesterday with Wall Street analysts, DIRECTV compared the 3Q HD & DVR sub numbers with Comcast's recent third quarter report. The cable operator said it added 325,000 HD and DVR subs in the third quarter.
"Over half of our gross additions in the quarter signed up for HD and/or DVR services," said DIRECTV CFO Patrick Doyle. "This is quite an impressive statistic if you consider that the previous high for this metric was in the prior quarter when sales of advanced products (HD & DVR) were just under 40 percent of gross additions."
DIRECTV yesterday did not reveal its overall total of HD subscribers, but it's believed to be between two and three million.
In releasing its third quarter financial report yesterday, DIRECTV also noted that earnings slipped due to increased costs in providing more channels. However, revenues and subscriptions grew.
DIRECTV CEO Chase Carey said in the investors call that the satcaster will offer "close to 100 HD national channels" by year's end.
"We will also continue during this period to continue to add more HD locals as we launch more markets, add markets to the mix in terms of HD local signal availability," he said.
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