US pay-TV operators lost about 1.74 million video subscribers in the third quarter, nearly double the losses in the year-earlier quarter, according to Leichtman Research. Satellite providers accounted for over 1.1 million lost customers, cable companies lost around 410,000, and telecom companies shed 210,000 TV subscribers.
The figures represent around 93 percent of the market. In total, these providers had 84.3 million subscribers at the end of September, of which around half at cable operators, 26 million with satellite providers, 8.6 million at telecom companies and 3.8 million at OTT services. The OTT providers, Sling TV and AT&T Now, added just 20,000 new subscribers in Q3.
This was fifth consecutive quarter of record losses, the market researcher said. The AT&T group accounted for around 79 percent of the total subscriber losses in the quarter, up from 30 percent a year ago, due to its decision to focus on more profitable market segments.
