Spain’s Canal Satelite Digital (CSD) surpassed the barrier of 800,000 subscribers by the end of December, confirming its lead over rival Via Digital.

In absolute numbers Catalunya has more subscribers than other regions (162,081), followed by Madrid (131,400), Comunidad Valenciana (73,128), Canarias (63,658), Galicia (44,984) and Pais Vasco (28,780). In terms of penetration, Canarias tops the list with 16.3 per cent of homes, followed by Baleares (11.7 per cent), Madrid (8.5 per cent) and Catalunya (8.3 per cent). The platform is present in almost 7 per cent of the TV households. This means a potential audience of 3,120,000 people.

Canal Satelite Digital’s subscribers watch the platform’s offer for 78 per cent of their time in front of the TV set. More than 70 per cent say their favourite channel is Canal Plus. Most subscribers chose to subscribe to Canal Plus Digital and watch its four versions. Canal Plus, Canal Plus Azul, Canal Plus Rojo and the recently launched Canal Plus 16/9. Other options are also popular among the subscribers such as the Cine option, TCM and Cineclassics.

According to company sources, CSD this year will launch nearly 20 new channels. Among them are the recently launched teleshopping channel for luxury goods (basic package) and the four new Viacom channels (MTV versions) as well as VH-1, also in the basic package. Other new services the platform will offer this year include telebanking, video-games, and interactive channels related to football and the ACB basketball league.

The platform has incorporated interactive telebanking functionality in all of the digital terminals it has already installed (more than 800,000), and has signed agreements with VISA, 4B and CECA. This means subscribers will be able to take out money from the bank by using these cards all through the terminals.

Spain is the first country after the UK to enjoy the four new Viacom channels from MTV Networks: M2, MTV Base, MTV Extra and VH-1 Classic. These new channels are part of a new pay offer called Opcion Musica. These are exclusive to CSD for a five year period. MTV Spain has said M2 will have interactive possibilities.