Video Subs Up 260k Overall; Cable Narrows Losses

According to the Leichtman Research Group, the 13 largest multi-channel video providers in the United States - representing about 94% of the market - added about 260,000 net video subscribers in 1Q 2014, compared to a gain of about 230,000 video subscribers in 1Q 2013.

The top multi-channel video providers account for nearly 95.8 million subscribers. The top nine cable companies have 50.4 million video subscribers, satellite TV companies have 34.4 million, and top telcos have about 11 million.

Other findings indicate:

• The top nine cable companies lost about 50,000 video subscribers in 1Q 2014, the fewest quarterly losses since 1Q 2009.
• Satellite TV providers added 52,000 subscribers in 1Q 2014, compared to a gain of 57,000 in 1Q 2013.
• The top telephone providers added 258,000 video subscribers in 1Q 2014, compared to 401,000 net additions in 1Q 2013.
• Cumulative net additions for the top multi-channel video providers in 1Q 2014 were the most in any quarter since 1Q 2012.
• Over the past year, multi-channel video providers lost about 37,000 subscribers, similar to a loss of about 43,000 over the prior year.