Italian pay-TV operator Stream has plenty of reasons to celebrate the year that is closing, which brought it new shareholders as well as very encouraging subscriber figures.

According to figures from the end of November, 350,000 subscribers had signed to Stream’s digital TV bouquet, with a rate of more than 1,000 subscribers a day. Out of that number, 200,000 subscribers opted for the football package Stream Calcio and 75,000 for pay-per-view events. The most requested football club is Roma with 26 per cent of the preferences, followed by Lazio (16 per cent) and Juventus (11 per cent). According to Stream, only one third of its subscribers are satisfied with the rival service Telepiu Calcio, with one of the main reasons being the high cost. Ninety three per cent of Stream clients are satisfied with Stream Calcio, with 70 per cent declaring that the offer is superior or equal to that of rival Telepiu.

At Stream’s Rome headquarters, the last details are being sorted out regarding the new channels and interactive services, which will be introduced over the first six months of the year 2000. An ambitious goal has been set: reaching the quota of one million subscribers by the end of next year and doubling that figure in 2001.