TrueVisions passes the 2 million customer mark in Thailand

True Corporation PLC has released results for the fourth quarter and full year 2012.

TrueVisions’ service revenue grew strongly by 8.2% YoY to Bt 10.5 bn, driven mainly by the solid growth of advertising and music entertainment revenue.

The rollout of the MPEG-4 broadcasting system in July 2012 not only improved customers’ viewing experience with a larger number of TrueVisions HD channels, but it also eliminated unauthorized access to TrueVisions signal, encouraging legitimate subscription to TrueVisions’ services.

These initiatives, together with the partnership with satellite and local cable TV operators, drove TrueVisions subscribers to 2.04 mn (from 1.64 mn at the end of 2011) with a strong pickup in premium subscription. Its free-to–air customer base also expanded significantly supported by partnership with free-to-air operators (i.e., PSI). Meanwhile, ARPU rose 13.7% YoY to Bt 870 from the expanding premium subscriber base, more subscription to HD channels and additional service points.

TrueVisions customers (000s)

                                    4Q10   4Q11   1Q12   2Q12   3Q12   4Q12
                                   -----  -----  -----  -----  -----  -----
Total                              1,705  1,642  1,641  1,601  1,791  2,042
 Premium (Platinum, Gold, Silver)    455    430    428    408    428    435
 Standard (Knowledge)                475    396    352    347    330    308
 Free View                           520    526    507    501    504    564
 Free to air                         256    290    354    345    529    735

The Group owns True Visions Public Company Limited (“True Visions”) and True Visions Cable Public Company Limited (“True Cable”). True Visions and True Cable are engaged in the operation of pay television networks (Digital Satellite Television and Cable Television).

TrueVisions basic packages:

                          Equipment
Package    Monthly fee  monthly fee      Channels
---------  -----------  -----------  ------------
Platinum      Bt 2,000    Bt 155.15  136 Channels
Gold          Bt 1,413    Bt 155.15  115 Channels
Gold Lite       Bt 590    Bt 155.15   92 Channels
Knowledge       Bt 340    Bt 155.15   78 Channels
Free View            -            -   60 Channels