Telenor SBc increases profits despite Canal Digital sub loses

Nordic DTH operator Canal Digital’s subscriber losses continued in the first quarter, with the Telenor-owned operator ending March with 986,000 subscribers, compared with 997,000 at the end of 2010.

However, the operator increased revenues to NOK1,050 million, compared with NOK1,045 million (€133 million) a year earlier, as a result of price increases. Canal Digital delivered profits of NOK93 million, a NOK3 million year-on-year increase.

First quarter revenues from Telenor’s satellite broadcasting division were NOK239 million, NOK20 million less than Q1 2010, as increased revenue from the CEE region was offset by reduced revenues from the Nordic region.

Telenor’s conditional access company Conax saw revenues decline slightly to NOK128 million but operating profit remained stable at NOK37 million.

Overall, Telenor Broadcast posted revenues of NOK1,770 million, down slightly on Q1 2010 figures but operating profit increased to NOK291 million from NOK237 million.