Pay-TV Subscriber Growth Rate Enters 0% Range for First Time: Ministry of Science and ICT

[정보통신신문=박남수기자] Pay-TV subscriber growth rate entered the 0% range for the first time.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the number of paid broadcasting subscribers and market share in the second half of 2022.

For the number of paid broadcasting subscribers announced every half year, the Korea Information and Communications Promotion Association conducts a working-level survey to verify the number of subscribers by internet multimedia broadcasting (IPTV), general cable broadcasting (SO), and satellite broadcasting operator, and the verification results are reported to the Ministry of Science and ICT. After submitting it, the Ministry of Science and ICT deliberates and decides on the verification results in a professional deliberation committee composed of civilian members to confirm it.

In the second half of 2022, according to the pay-TV market share calculation standard, the number of pay-TV subscribers was counted as 36,248,397 subscribers (6-month average). This is an increase of 240,000 subscribers compared to the first half of 2022, and the rate of increase was 0.67%.

This is the first time that the rate of change in the number of subscribers has fallen below 1% compared to the previous half year, and it is half of the increase in the second half of 2021 (520,000 subscribers) a year ago. The rate of increase in the number of subscribers has generally decreased since the start of counting the number of subscribers in the second half of 2015.

The number of subscribers (market share) by operator is △KT 8,783,984 subscribers (24.23%) △SK Broadband (IPTV) 6,419,536 subscribers (17.71%) △LG U+ 5,362,089 subscribers (14.79%) △LG HelloVision 3,699,046 subscribers (10.20%), △KT Skylife 2,953,347 subscribers (8.15%) △SK Broadband (SO) 2,831,064 subscribers (7.81%).

Also, by media, 3 IPTV companies had a total of 20,565,609 subscribers (56.74%), 14 SO companies had a total of 12,729,441 subscribers (35.11%), and satellite broadcasters had 2,953,347 subscribers (8.15%). IPTV subscribers increased, while SO and satellite broadcasting subscribers increased. appeared to decrease.

Since the number of IPTV subscribers surpassed the number of SO subscribers in November 2017, the number of IPTV subscribers has been continuously increasing while that of SO has been decreasing. Compared to the first half, the gap has increased slightly.

By subscriber type, multiple subscribers 17,094,236 (47.16%), individual subscribers 16,504,037 (45.53%), and group subscribers 2,650,124 (7.31%).

The total number of subscribers and market share (compared to the first half of 2022) of the three IPTV subsidiaries were 13.02 million subscribers (190,000 increase) for KT (KT + KT Skylife + HCN), 35.9% (0.25% increase), and SK Broadband (IPTV+SO) 9.25 million subscribers (160,000 increase), 25.52% (0.26% increase), LG affiliates (LG U+ + LG HelloVision) 9.06 million subscribers (50,000 decrease), 24.99% (0.32% decrease) ) appeared.

Meanwhile, as of the end of December 2022, the total number of paid broadcasting subscribers was identified as 36,927,326 subscribers.

The total number of paid broadcasting subscribers is excluded when calculating the market share △users who receive free broadcasting services for social welfare purposes (36,356 people) △satellite broadcasting users in areas excluded from market share calculation such as islands and mountains (157,836 people) △Broadcasting joint This figure includes all users (1,300,171) through reception facility maintenance contracts.

The total number of subscribers by operator was △KT 8,825,221.5 subscribers △SK Broadband (IPTV) 6,494,009 subscribers △LG U+ 5,350,472 subscribers △LG HelloVision 3,884,664 subscribers △KT Skylife 3,129,112.5 subscribers △SK Broadband (SO) 2,958,459 subscribers, in order.