At the end of 4th quarter 2012 (4Q12), there were approximately 3.12 million subscription television service (TV) subscribers in Portugal1, 14 thousand more subscribers than in the previous quarter (an increase of 0.5 percent). When compared to the same period of 2011, there was an increase of 6.3 per cent, representing an additional 186 thousand subscribers. This trend is in line with the recent historical evolution reported in these variables.
Offers supported over optical fibre (FTTH/B) were those that contributed most to the growth of the service this quarter, with an increase of 6.2 per cent, representing an additional 23 thousand new subscribers. TV services supported over the public telephone network (xDSL) also grew, increasing 0.8 percent with 5 thousand additional subscribers. In this period, the number of subscribers to the cable TV service and using direct to home technology (DTH) declined by 0.2 and 1.6 percent respectively.
Analyzing the distribution of subscribers by type of television service, as at the end of 4Q12, the cable TV distribution service accounted for 46.6 percent of total subscribers, DTH for 21.1 percent, xDSL accounted for 19.6 percent and optical fibre (FTTH/B) 12.6 percent.
About 73 percent of pay-TV subscribers received their service as part of a bundle, while bundles composed of TV, fixed Internet and fixed telephone were reported as having greatest uptake (57 percent).
Grupo ZON/TV Cabo continues to retain the largest share of subscription TV subscribers, with 50.2 percent2. PT Comunicações (PTC) and Cabovisão follow with 39.2 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively.
At the end of 4Q12, about half of homes with subscription TV had more than 80 channels, and about 20.5 percent had access to premium channels, corresponding to a decrease of 5.8 percentage points compared to the same period of 2011.
It should be noted that the statistical indicators reported this quarter (4Q12) reflect the change in methodology brought in during the previous quarter (3Q12). As such, taking into account the concept of subscription TV as used for statistical purposes and following a review of the categories covered by the concept of subscriber to this service, the services provided pursuant to the protocols signed between the government of the Republic, the regional governments, ANACOM, ZON TV Cabo Açoreana and ZON TV Cabo Madeirense are not considered for purposes of reporting subscriber numbers and provider shares of subscribers. For this reason, there may be small differences compared to previously published values.
1 The services provided under the protocols signed between the government of the Republic, the regional governments, ANACOM, ZON TV Cabo Açoreana and ZON TV Cabo Madeirense are not considered for purposes of reporting subscriber numbers and shares; these protocols sought to provide the citizens of the archipelagos with free access to the national mainstream channels as well as enabling gradual migration from analogue to digital technology. The services provided under these protocols covered around 40,200 thousand dwellings in 4Q12 (21,800 in the Azores and 18,400 in Madeira). For this reason, the historical data series have been corrected and there may be small differences in relation to previously published values.
2 The services provided under the protocols signed between the government of the Republic, the regional governments, ANACOM, ZON TV Cabo Açoreana and ZON TV Cabo Madeirense are not considered for purposes of reporting subscriber numbers and shares; these protocols sought to provide the citizens of the archipelagos with free access to the national mainstream channels as well as enabling gradual migration from analogue to digital technology. The services provided under these protocols covered around 40,200 thousand dwellings in 4Q12 (21,800 in the Azores and 18,400 in Madeira). For this reason, the historical data series have been corrected and there may be small differences in relation to previously published values.
Consult the statistical report:
- Subscription television service - 4th quarter 2012 https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1155928
