Sky Deutschland subscribers down 7k in 2Q09

2.364m subscribers as of 30 June, net growth of 23k monthly contract subscribers offset by reduction of 30k Flex subscribers

MUNICH — In Q2 2009, Sky Deutschland AG (PRE.XE) generated total revenues of €230.6m (Q2 2008: €252.1m). Operating expenses rose to €294.0m (Q2 2008: €240.5m). EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was negative €63.4m (Q2 2008: positive €11.6m). The EBITDA decrease of €75.0m was a result of lower revenues due to the absence of one time license revenues from the sale of FIFA World Cup 2010 rights in Q2 2008 and increased costs in Q2 2009 – mainly for Bundesliga, for the DFB Cup, which was broadcast for the first time in August 2008, and for preparing the launch of the new Sky service. Following the decision to discontinue the use of the Premiere AG brand, the Premiere trademark was written off in Q2 2009 which had a negative net effect of €253.9m. Mainly due to this non-cash write-off, net result was negative €365.8m (Q2 2008: negative €37.8m).

Sky had a total of 2.364m direct subscribers at the end of Q2 2009, 7k less than in Q1 2009 (31 March 2009: 2.371m). The net growth of 23k monthly contract subscribers was offset by a reduction of 30k Flex subscribers. The number of Flex customers decreased during Q2 2009 to 38k. The churn rate for Q2 2009 remained unchanged versus Q1 2009 at 22.4 percent. Program ARPU increased from €24.85 in Q1 2009 to €25.20 in Q2 2009. Compared to Q2 2008, gross additions of monthly contract subscribers doubled to 117,000 in Q2 2009.

Subscribers (‘000):

                                  Q2 08  Q3 08  Q4 08  Q1 09  Q2 09
                                  -----  -----  -----  -----  -----
Direct subscribers at beginning   2,450  2,376  2,411  2,399  2,371
Additions                            58    138    153    112    117
Churn                              -132   -103   -165   -140   -123
Net change                          -74     35    -12    -28     -7
Direct subscribers at end         2,376  2,411  2,399  2,371  2,364
of which Flex                       113    118     85     68     38

Wholesale subscribers at end        792    704    691    710    334

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