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SNL Center for Financial Education
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2007
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Lauren Keyson
Public Relations Manager
P (212) 341-7319

SNL Kagan Study Forecasts Continued Strong Growth For Cable Operators

Monterey, Ca. (Sep. 5, 2007) — Broadband Cable Financial Databook, a new study from SNL Kagan, shows that cable operators continue to enjoy solid revenue gains on many fronts despite competitive pressures from telcos and direct broadcast satellite providers. Cable's triple-play revenue streams (video, data and voice) are still expanding due to growing penetration of their subscriber bases, while other revenue sources such as commercial services and advertising promise to keep the growth engine humming in the future.

With advanced services capturing a growing proportion of subscribers and basic subscriber churn slowing thanks to the stickiness of the new services, cable revenue generating units are projected to increase to 200 million by 2012 from 152 million at year-end 2007. Cable multiple system operator revenues are projected to grow to $115.4 billion by 2012 from $79.1 billion in 2007, with the average revenue per subscriber increasing to $140.08.

Among other highlights from the Broadband Cable Financial Databook's 10-year projections for the industry:

  • Cable RGUs increased to 137.6 million in 2006 from 125.1 million at year-end 2005 and are on track to grow to 151.6 million by year-end 2007.
  • Cable VoIP homes marketed will leap to an estimated 95.5 million by year-end 2007 from 31.0 million at year-end 2005.
  • Cable VoIP subscribers jumped to 6.4 million by year-end 2006 from 2.6 million at year-end 2005 and could reach 12.1 million in 2007.
  • High-speed data penetration of basics was 46% at year-end 2006 versus 39% at year-end 2005 and could grow to 51% by year-end 2007.
  • Digital cable subscribers now surpass 33 million and could surpass 37 million by year-end 2007.
  • In 2007, total residential revenue is expected to grow 9.7% to $75.2 billion, at an average ARPU of $95.37 versus the $87.48 of 2006. Commercial revenue could increase to $3.9 billion in 2007 from $3.3 billion in 2006.

Broadband Cable Financial Databook is an annual compendium of all the key facts and figures in the cable MSO industry, containing both 10-year projections and key historical statistics across the cable, pay TV, financing, M&A, cable network and cable TV advertising sectors. It provides comprehensive metrics and deal information, including private value benchmarks, industry operating and financial statistics, up-to-date profiles of top MSOs and independent owners, and current subscriber counts. This edition also includes Verizon's fiber market locations, and lists markets where telcos have launched video services with key demographic information.

"For 26 years, Broadband Cable Financial Databook has been a must-have source for the most concise presentation of cable industry data," said Robin Flynn, SNL Kagan senior analyst. "Whether you're a broker evaluating potential deals, an analyst making cash flow projections or a consultant analyzing industry metrics, this is your authoritative report."

SNL Kagan's Broadband Cable Financial Databook is available exclusively as part of the SNL Kagan Information Service. For more information on this report and other media & communications data sets within the SNL Kagan Information Service, call 866-296-3743 or e-mail SNLKaganSales@snl.com .

About SNL Kagan

SNL Kagan is the ultimate resource for complete financial intelligence on the broad and dynamic media & communications sector, including the broadcasting, cable, entertainment, motion picture, telecom, wireless, satellite, publishing and new media industries. The SNL Kagan suite of products integrates breaking news, comprehensive data and expert analysis into an electronic database available online and updated around the clock. SNL Kagan combines the 38-year heritage of Kagan Research with parent company SNL Financial's 20 years of experience in providing essential guidance to Wall Street and to America's top corporations. For more information, visit www.snl.com/kagan.