StarHub adds 4k pay TV subscribers in 4Q09

SINGAPORE — StarHub (Singapore: CC3) has reported 2009 fourth quarter and full year results.

As at 31 December 2009, Pay TV subscriber base totaled 539K, a net addition of 4K for the quarter and 15K for the full year period. Compared to a year ago, Pay TV subscriber base grew 3%.

Pay TV ARPU for the quarter and full year periods was at S$56. This was S$1 lower when compared to S$57 last year. The lower ARPU year-on-year was due to higher discounts to drive take up in 2009.

Against 4Q08, this quarter’s Pay TV average monthly churn was at the same level at 1.0%. For the full year period, Pay TV average monthly churn increased from 0.9% in 2008 to 1.0% in 2009.

For the full year, revenue from sales of equipment was S$92.6 million. This was 5% lower when compared to 2008 which included retail sales revenue for Hubstation and HDTV set-top boxes. The retail sales of these set-top boxes were discontinued since August last year and are now available on a rental basis.

Pay TV (‘000):

            4Q-2008  1Q-2009  2Q-2009  3Q-2009  4Q-2009
            -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Customers       524      527      530      535      539
 Digital        504      517      528      535      539

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