Shaw abandons IPTV plan, trials Comcast X1

CALGARY, Alberta — Shaw Communications Inc. announced consolidated financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015. Consolidated revenue for the quarter and year-to-date period of $1.42 billion and $4.14 billion, respectively, was up 6% and 4% over the comparable periods last year. Total operating income before restructuring costs and amortization of $643 million improved 7% over the comparable quarter while the year-to-date amount of $1.81 billion improved 4% over the prior year.

Shaw is committed in building global partnerships to deliver best in class, customer experiences and is currently working with Comcast to begin a technical trial of their cloud-based X1 platform and be the first in Canada to capitalize on Comcast’s cloud technology. X1 offers customers a seamless experience across multiple screens and devices both in and out of the home.

In 2013 Shaw commenced development of an end-to-end IPTV solution under a certain IPTV platform. The Company paused late in 2014 to review the platform under development and assess other options and has now abandoned the original platform, resulting in an asset write-down of $55 million.

Consumer

During the quarter Consumer RGUs declined 46,023. Internet customers were up 5,292 to 1,774,109. Digital Phone lines decreased 26,628, Cable Video and Satellite Video subscribers declined 23,576 and 1,111, respectively.

Subscriber Statistics – Video

                                          Three months ended    Nine months ended
                                                     May 31,              May 31,
                  May 31,    August 31,  -------------------  -------------------
                     2015          2014       2015      2014       2015      2014
             ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  ---------  --------
Consumer
  Cable         1,798,355     1,867,304   (23,576)  (18,093)   (68,949)  (64,260)
  Satellite       819,941       850,132    (1,111)   (6,597)   (30,191)  (25,379)

Business Network Services
  Cable            83,192        90,325      (948)     6,018    (7,133)     1,808
  Satellite        31,628        30,491    (1,709)       989      1,137     9,043