The DIRECTV Group added 444,000 net subscribers in Q4, driving full year 2004 additions to more than 1.7 million. As of December 31, the total number of DIRECTV platform subscribers was 13.94 million representing an annual growth rate of 14% compared to the 12.21 million platform subscribers as of December 31, 2003. Additional highlights include:
- DIRECTV U.S. gross subscriber additions in Q4 increased by 21% to a fourth quarter record of 1,103,000 due to higher penetration rates in local channel markets,
- Q4 ARPU was $71.92, compared to $71.75 a year earlier
- Q4 revenues increased 22% to $3.36 billion and operating loss before depreciation and amortization(1) was $156 million compared to operating profit before depreciation and amortization of $11 million in last year’s fourth quarter.
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- In Q4, The DIRECTV Group announced an agreement for the sale of substantially all of the remaining assets of HNS to a new entity that will be jointly owned by SkyTerra Communications, Inc. and The DIRECTV Group. SkyTerra is an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P., a New York-based private equity firm.