DirecTV U.S. added 633,000 gross subscribers in Q2, and after accounting for churn, 181,000 net subscribers, giving it a total of 11.56 million total subscribers. Hughes said the monthly ARPU at DIRECTV U.S. increased by $2.80 to nearly $61. Increased sales of set-top boxes at HNS, were partially offset by higher DIRECTV Latin America costs and further devaluations in 2003 to several Latin American currencies. In its quarterly financial statement, Hughes noted that DIRECTV U.S. achieved revenue growth of over 16% in Q2 to reach $1.8 billion and more than doubled its operating profit before depreciation and amortization to an all-time record of $325 million in the quarter.
Additionally, as of June 30, 2003, DIRECWAY had approximately 166,000 residential and SOHO subscribers in North America compared to 123,000 one year ago.
In March 2003, DIRECTV Latin America filed a Chapter 11 petition in order to address the company’s financial and operational challenges. The DIRECTV service in Latin America lost 35,000 net subscribers in Q2, ending the quarter with approximately 1,493,000, down 10.5% from a year earlier.
http://www.hughes.com
- In Q1 2003, DIRECTV added 701,000 gross subscribers and 275,000 net subscribers.
