US sees big drop in pay TV homes

Over 400,000 US homes have dropped their pay TV subscriptions since the start of the year, according to local reports.

Leading DTH provider DirecTV lost 52,000 subscribers in the second quarter, blaming tough market conditions, while Time Warner Cable lost 169,000 homes in the quarter. Market leader Comcast lost 176,000 subscribers, a lower rate of losses than in previous quarters, while DTH number two Dish Network lost 10,000 subscribers.

Operators blamed poor economic conditions for the losses.