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Sports Broadcasting Technology

DirecTV Gets Subscriber Boost from NFL Sunday Ticket

November 03, 2011

(SPORTS TECHNOLOGY)

The country’s largest satellite TV broadcaster brought in more subscribers than ever in the third quarter, helped by the NFL Sunday Ticket, according to media reports.


DirecTV added a net 327,000 U.S. subscribers in the July to September period, the best third-quarter result in at least five years, The Associated Press (News - Alert) reported.

NFL Sunday Ticket, for which DirecTV charges $52.99 per month, gives access to every “out-of-market” Sunday NFL game, with special features such as the ability to show up to eight live games simultaneously or view an entire game in less than 30 minutes.

DirecTV ended the quarter with 19.8 million U.S. subscribers, making it the second-largest provider of pay-TV service after cable company Comcast (News - Alert) Corp., the AP said.

The El Segundo, Calif.-based satellite broadcaster also today reported increases in third quarter 2011 revenues of nearly 14 percent to $6.84 billion. DirecTV (News - Alert) also reported that third quarter net income increased eight percent to $516 million while diluted earnings per share grew 27 percent to $0.70 compared with the same period last year.

In other DirecTV news, TMCnet reported Hertz Entertainment Services and DirecTV Auto, operated by FMG Lifestyle, have announced plans to offer 200-plus channels of current DirecTV programming to customers in the entertainment, sports and events industries renting select Hertz Entertainment Services vehicles.  

Hertz Entertainment Services is a car rental company offering in-motion DIRECTV programming to its studio production customers.

Robert Stuart, senior vice president of Global Sales at Hertz said in a release, “Offering DirecTV Auto, operated by FMG Lifestyle, in our Hertz Entertainment Services vehicles supports our goal of providing production and studio companies with state-of-the-art, specialized rental vehicles for all of their needs. Having the ability to offer satellite television is another way we are providing innovative and superior service to our customers.”


Erin Harrison is Executive Editor, Strategic Initiatives, for TMC, where she oversees the company's strategic editorial initiatives, including the launch of several new print and online initiatives. She plays an active role in the print publications and TMCnet, covering IP communications, information technology and other related topics. To read more of Erin's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Rich Steeves