Sky Deutschland subs predictions lowered

Analysts have revised subscriber figures for German pay-TV operator Sky Deutschland following the announcement that CEO Mark Williams will leave the company next year. However, investment bank Morgan Stanley noted that his replacement, Brian Sullivan, currently managing director, customer group, BSkyB, has a solid pay-TV pedigree.

The bank has revised its forecasts for the number of net subscriber additions from 100,000 to 70,000 and as a result its 2010 target from 2.9 million subs to 2.8 million subs. “If Sky is struggling to gain subscribers, then this could place its newly downgraded subscriber forecast of 2.8 million – three million by end 2010 at risk and this in turn threatens that Sky may require further financing in due course,” it noted.