The largest pay-TV providers in the US lost about 655,000 net video subscribers in 2Q 2017

Leichtman Research Group found that the largest pay-TV providers in the US — representing about 95% of the market — lost about 655,000 net video subscribers in 2Q 2017, compared to a loss of about 715,000 subscribers in 2Q 2016.

The top pay-TV providers account for 92.6 million subscribers — with the top six cable companies having 48.4 million video subscribers, satellite TV services over 32.7 million subscribers, the top telephone companies 9.5 million subscribers, and the top Internet-delivered pay-TV services having about 1.9 million subscribers.

Key findings for the quarter include:

• The top six cable companies lost about 190,000 video subscribers in 2Q 2017 — compared to a loss of about 225,000 subscribers in 2Q 2016
  • Top MSO net losses were the fewest in any second quarter since 2006
• Satellite TV services lost about 435,000 subscribers in 2Q 2017 — compared to a gain of about 15,000 subscribers in 2Q 2016
  • DBS net losses were more than in any previous quarter
• The top telephone providers lost about 270,000 video subscribers in 2Q 2017 — compared to a loss of about 550,000 subscribers in 2Q 2016
  • Traditional pay-TV services (not including Internet-delivered services) lost about 895,000 subscribers in 2Q 2017 — compared to a loss of about 760,000 in 2Q 2016

“The pay-TV market lost about 655,000 subscribers in the traditionally weak second quarter, with overall net losses slightly lower than in last year’s second quarter,” said Bruce Leichtman, president and principal analyst for Leichtman Research Group, Inc. “While satellite TV services, DIRECTV and DISH, had more combined net losses in 2Q 2017 than in any previous quarter, these losses were partially offset by gains from their Internet-delivered flanker brands, DIRECTV NOW and Sling TV. These Internet-delivered services (along with the others that do not publicly report results) are now clearly part of providers’ segmentation strategies and consumers’ pay-TV options.”