Sharp contrasts between the viewing patterns of DF1 subscribers compared to their Premiere counterparts have emerged ahead of the merger between the two platforms. The information was revealed by Premiere World corporate development manager Sigrun Weller to IBC Global Conferences’ Operating and Launching Pay-Per-View in Amsterdam last week.

During the first quarter of 1999 the average monthly purchase of pay-per-view movies (buy rate) by DF1 subscribers was two, compared to one on the Premiere platform. Even in the most popular of blockbusters, the sci-fi hit Starship Troopers, DF1 was much better at getting its subscribers to purchase.

There are other divergent tendencies, both in terms of management decisions and customer fashions: DF1 regularly follows the video market whereas Premiere, because of its desire to be an ‘exclusive movie provider’ steered away from video titles. While there was no demographic difference between DF1 and Premiere, the DF1 viewer was more likely to have additional technical equipment. Weller said the difference could be put down to the fact that DF1 offered Formula 1 motor racing while Premiere offered football coverage.