NTL third quarter revenues hit €29.9m

NTL IRELAND reported strong growth in digital TV and broadband customers yesterday as third quarter revenues surged 13% to €29.9 million.

The cable TV operator, whose €325m takeover by Chorus owner UPC was cleared by the Competition Authority last week, said it added over 12,000 new digital TV customers in the three months to September, an increase of 11%. The performance outgunned rival Sky, which has around three times as many subscribers in Ireland but added 9,000 new digital customers during the quarter.

NTL’s total customer base edged up by 5,000 to almost 359,000. Around 7,000 of its 12,000 new digital customers came from subscribers to its older analogue cable TV service deciding to upgrade.

NTL Ireland managing director Graham Sutherland said he was “delighted” with the results.

The company’s new broadband operation was a star performer, adding 3,500 new customers to bring the total to 16,400.

Mr Sutherland also said he was pleased with the decision to clear the UPC deal but that it was too early to be specific on what it would mean for NTL customers. The final regulatory obstacle in the way of the takeover is expected to be cleared next month when the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment grants his approval.