Belgacom reports TV gains

Belgian telco Belgacom reported an uptick in TV subscriber numbers, despite challenges in the mobile space.

Belgacom reported a “solidly growing” customer base for its TV and fixed internet products, adding 46,000 Belgacom TV subscriptions in the fourth quarter. This resulted in a 14% year-on-year increased its TV customer base to 1.39 million, of which 230 million had multiple set-top boxes.

Belgacom said both TV and internet gains helped its Q4 revenue to climb 1.7% year-on-year to €1.64 billion, despite weaker mobile revenues.

Fourth-quarter TV revenue grew by 18.1% to EUR 62 million as a result of continued subscriber growth. However, overall net income for the quarter was €168million, down from €169m in the same quarter last year.

“Our fixed-line products performed well, counterbalancing the more difficult Belgian mobile market, which saw an unprecedented customer rotation following the change in contract rules under Belgium’s new telecom law,” said Belgacom CEO Didier Bellens, commenting on the results.