Mediaset sells 2.7 million pre-paid cards
November 19, 2008
From Branislav Pekic Rome
Italian commercial broadcaster Mediaset has sold a total of 2.7 million pre-paid cards for the reception of its pay-TV service on digital terrestrial, Mediaset Premium, launched in 2005.
This figure represents an increase of 100,000 smart cards since the end of June. Also, around 1.5 million Italian families subscribe to the "Premium Gallery" package with eight pay-TV channels (Joi, Mya, Steel, Disney Channel plus their time-shifted versions), resulting in a turnover of E400 million.
The latest data was revealed by the vice-president of Mediaset, Piersilvio Berlusconi, during the presentation of the "Premium Fantasy" pay-TV package aimed at younger viewers. The new offer, available from December 8 on DTT, will cost E8 a month if acquired separately, E4 if combined with other packages and E24 for the entire bundle (Gallery + Calcio + Fantasy). The "Fantasy" package includes the Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney as well as the new Hiro channel produced by Mediaset.
Berlusconi also pointed out that, despite the global economical and financial crisis, Mediaset is still targetting a break-even for its DTT activities in 2010, as well as an average annual expenditure per family of E100.
…..