Telefónica sees strong pay-TV growth
Juan Fernandez Gonzalez
| 05 August 2014
Telefónica's main goal this year was to transform from a classic telco into a video company, and it says it has now achieved this. With 4.2 million pay-TV clients worldwide and a leading position in the Spanish market, Telefónica is now ready to strengthen its audiovisual operations.
The company's fastest growth has been experienced in Spain, where in July Movistar TV reached 1.4 million subscribers, to which it will soon add Canal+'s customer base of 1.6 million. The 26% growth drives Movistar TV to lead a market in which only 12 months ago it was far from the top.
According to the company, the expanded video offer through its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network, the increasing speed of broadband and mobile, the focus on HD and the acquisition of premium sports content such as Roland Garros and the Formula One championship have been the main changes supporting this growth.
As the market is evolving, the telco is certain that mobile broadcasting is essential for the future of pay-TV, which is why it has been focusing on mobile networks too. 80% of the telco's clients are subscribed to a data plan, increasing income from this area by 24% during first half of the year.
These actions are part of the Telefónica's Be More plan which aims to adapt the telco to future challenges. In addition to focusing on its video and mobile business, other priorities for the company include simplifying its operational model, changing its market strategy and transforming its technology.
Juan Fernandez Gonzalez
| 05 August 2014
Telefónica's main goal this year was to transform from a classic telco into a video company, and it says it has now achieved this. With 4.2 million pay-TV clients worldwide and a leading position in the Spanish market, Telefónica is now ready to strengthen its audiovisual operations.
The company's fastest growth has been experienced in Spain, where in July Movistar TV reached 1.4 million subscribers, to which it will soon add Canal+'s customer base of 1.6 million. The 26% growth drives Movistar TV to lead a market in which only 12 months ago it was far from the top.
According to the company, the expanded video offer through its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network, the increasing speed of broadband and mobile, the focus on HD and the acquisition of premium sports content such as Roland Garros and the Formula One championship have been the main changes supporting this growth.
As the market is evolving, the telco is certain that mobile broadcasting is essential for the future of pay-TV, which is why it has been focusing on mobile networks too. 80% of the telco's clients are subscribed to a data plan, increasing income from this area by 24% during first half of the year.
These actions are part of the Telefónica's Be More plan which aims to adapt the telco to future challenges. In addition to focusing on its video and mobile business, other priorities for the company include simplifying its operational model, changing its market strategy and transforming its technology.