IHS: Cable industry revenues near €23bn

The European cable industry’s total revenues were up 7.1% year-on-year in 2015 to €22.9 billion (US$25.4 billion), according to stats presented by an industry body at Cable Congress in Warsaw this morning.

The numbers, which were compiled by research firm IHS and presented by Cable Europe, found that TV continues to be the main source of profit for the industry, but said that revenues from internet via broadband experienced most growth year-on-year.

According to the research, for full-year 2015, TV accounted for 50.4% of cable industry revenues (€11.55 billion), internet for 31% (€7.12 billion) and telephony for 18.6% (€4.26 billion).

In terms of revenue growth, internet via broadband was up 10% year-on-year, telephony was up 7% and TV showed the lowest growth at 5.5%.

IHS found that growth for TV services was driven by “a strong appetite for digital subscriptions and video-on-demand” and said that 61.2% of TV subscriptions are now digital and generate 77% of TV revenue.

“With 21 million homes still analogue, the sector has clear potential to continue growing in the future,” according to the research.

“The figures show cable is performing strongly despite – and possibly thanks to – the challenging competition with traditional and over-the-top players,” said Manuel Kohnstamm, president of Cable Europe (pictured).

Cable Europe executive chairman Matthias Kurth added: “There is huge potential for our industry in the future, and we will continue to step up to the challenge. The increasing appetite for connectivity is a great opportunity for us. Our networks are clearly on track to be the backbone of the gigasphere society.”

Overall the research said there were more than 117.4 million revenue generating units (RGUs) last year, with 4.2 million RGUs added. Internet and telephony contributed to 51.9% of total RGUs.