PCCW claims pay-TV leadership

Hong Kong - PCCW has reported strong half yearly growth for its pay-TV arm now TV, with its subscriber base climbing to 927,000, claiming the moniker of Hong Kong's largest pay-TV group.

The group's half year report reveals its core revenue increased 13% to HK$10.8 billion, driven by increases in all its core business segments. Telecommunications Services jumped 11%, TV & Content jumped 45%, with Mobile up 28% and a 9% jump in PCCW Solutions.

Now TV has further boosted its content line-up to more than 160 local and international channels in the end of June 2008.

MOOV, the group's digital music brand from more than 90 local global partners continued to help drive up the subscribers of PCCW's broadband portal.

Alex Arena, MD of PCCW, said the reorganization of the group's core business-TV and content, mobile, telecommunications services, and mobile-under a newly incorporated holding company, HKT Group Holdings, will improve the operational efficiencies of the group.

The group's arch rival, I-Cable's pay-TV subscription division, grew 1% to 892,000 for the first half of 2008.