ITV DIGITAL REPORT INCREASE OF 48,000 SUBSCRIBERS

ITV DIGITAL, formerly ONdigital, have reported an increase of 48,000 subscribers for the quarter ended June 30, 2001, bringing the total to 1,135,000.
Stuart Prebble, Chief Executive of ITV, said: “These are solid figures. We are delivering against our targets. The re-branding is a major step in the evolution of this business and the decision to put the powerful ITV brand behind the platform is an indication of our shareholders’ commitment to it.
“ITV Sport Channel is the first new premium sports channel for a decade and offers our customers the best value available on pay TV, with more high quality, live football than any other channel. Demand for the channel is already strong from our subscribers, and from subscribers to other platforms.”
Annualised churn at the end of the quarter was 23 per cent. The rise of 48,000 for the quarter is in line with subscription targets. In the first two weeks of the new quarter sales have continued at similar levels, in one of the traditionally quietest periods of the year. Early signs are that advertising for the new brand has been well received. (CD)