Switzerland’s Sunrise reports ‘strong momentum’ in TV

Swiss service provider Sunrise reported strong subscriber momentum in TV, internet and post-paid mobile in its third quarter.

Announcing its latest results, Sunrise said that it added 4,500 TV subscribers, 2,900 internet customers and 23,900 post-paid mobile customers quarter-over-quarter.

Its total IPTV customer base for the first nine months of 2015 came to 127,000, compared to 97,000 for the first nine months of 2014, with Sunrise citing the launch of its new Smart TV service as “the next step ahead”.

“Thanks to the cloud-based recording function, customers can simultaneously record as many programmes as they like, whilst also recording programmes that they have missed in the last seven days from ComeBack TV. Sunrise Smart TV can be used on the TV and on up to five mobile devices,” said Sunrise.

Despite subscriber growth in TV, internet and postpaid mobile, Sunrise said that this did not compensate for both short-term and structural revenue declines, with overall Q3 revenue dropping 8.5% year-on-year to CHF 487 million.

However, net income “significantly increased” year-on-year as a result of lower interest expenses – growing by CHF 67m over this period to reach CHF 14m. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.5% year-on-year to CHF 169m, in line with company expectations.

“In a competitive environment, our ability to maintain the customer growth through quality and customer focus, remained unchanged. With our initiatives to drive simplification and digitalisation, we are well positioned for the future,” said Sunrise CEO, Libor Voncina.