6.6 Million Subscribers to Audio-Visual Programme Retransmission Services in Romania, at Mid-2014

09.12.2014

On 30 June 2014, the total number of subscribers to commercial services of audio-visual programme retransmission increased by 5.4%, up to 6.6 million, compared to 6.3 million on 30 June 2013. At the household level, the penetration rate reached 89%, according to the data reported by the providers, processed and published by ANCOM in the consolidated Statistical Data Report on the Romanian Electronic Communications Market atmid-2014.

Most subscribers keep using the services offered through cable - 4.21 million (up by 6% compared to the similar period of 2013), followed by DTH satellite networks – 2.37 million subscribers (up by 4% compared to the same period of 2013). Though low, the number of subscribers through the IP technology sees constant growth: by 42% compared to mid-2013, i.e. from 46 thousand subscribers, up to 65 thousand subscribers.

Regarding the rural-urban distribution of subscribers, the previous years’ trends persist: 61% of all the subscribers are urban residents, most of them (approximately 80%), subscribing to cable services. In the rural area, most of the subscribers use services provided through DTH satellite networks, i.e. 62.3%.

It is noteworthy that programme retransmission services in digital format keep growing, so that, on 30 June 2014, out of the total number of subscribers to retransmission services, more than 4 million received audio-visual media programmes in digital format, up by approximately 9% compared to the similar period of 2013. Most of the subscribers to digital services, i.e. 59%, are subscribers to satellite networks (DTH), followed by cable subscribers (39%), IP TV subscribers registering only 2%.

Out of the more than 4.2 million subscribers to cable retransmission services, almost 1.6 million benefitted from services in digital format (up by 16% compared to mid-2013), i.e. a penetration rate at the household level of 21.3%.

The consolidated Statistical Data Report on the Romanian Electronic Communications Market at mid-2014 has been elaborated based on the data reported by the active providers of electronic communications services that conducted commercial activities during 1 January – 30 June 2014, and is available, in Romanian, here.