Spanish Pay-TV group Sogecable recorded a net profit of PTA 345 million (E2.1 million) in the first six months of the year, compared with losses of PTA 1.1 million (E6,611) in the same period of 1999.

The group, owner of digital satellite platform Canal Satelite Digital and terrestrial pay-TV channel Canal+, had revenues of PTA 77 billion (E462.78m), 24.8 per cent more than in the equivalent period last year. Currently, a combined 1.8 million households have subscribed to the company’s pay-TV offers. Canal+ is present in more than 1.7 million homes, more than 95 per cent of the total.

Canal Satelite Digital has more than 900,000 subscribers, with an increase of 26.7 per cent over the last 12 months. More than 90 per cent of Canal Satelite subscribers choose the digital version of Canal+, according to the company. Revenues from subscriptions represent 75 per cent of the total revenues recorded by the group. Advertising revenues increased 37 per cent, reaching PTA 3.6 billion (E21.64m) in comparison with PTA 2.6 billion (E15.63m) in the same period last year. The pay-TV group wants to keep growing and has announced an “aggressive” marketing campaign for next September.