TalkTalk adds 160,000 TV subscribers

UK telecom operator TalkTalk added 160,000 new TV subscribers to its YouView service in the three months to the end of June, taking its total number of TV customers to 390,000.

Announcing fiscal first quarter numbers in an interim management statement, TalkTalk said that June was its “strongest ever month for TV sales,” in spite of competition from the likes of BT and Sky who have been taking each other on with Premier League football coverage.

“We’re fast becoming the natural home for families seeking great value mass-market entertainment and starting their pay TV journey. For our loyal customers it’s a great way to upgrade from their existing TV service,” said TalkTalk CEO Dido Harding.

The firm said that early data indicates 75% of TalkTalk sign-ups are people upgrading from Freeview and Freesat – which it claimed is “strong testimony to the appeal of YouView.”

TalkTalk’s triple play offering also attracted customers, with 25% of the past quarter’s additions choosing to switch their phone and broadband in order to also take its TV service.

Some 26% of TalkTalk TV customers also bought paid for content in the quarter, the firm said, with the top-selling film rentals being Life of Pi, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and Wreck-it Ralph.

TalkTalk launched its TV service at the end of September 2012, providing customers with a free YouView set top box. This retails at £299 (€348) and gives viewers the ability to pause, rewind and record up to 4,000 shows from 70 channels and also includes  seven-day catch-up.

Overall, TalkTalk reported revenues in the quarter of £421 million, up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year from £414 million.