EchoStar and DIRECTV both continued to add subscribers and show increases in net income over the last quarter, as they compete with cable companies for customers.
Both satellite companies grew their subscriber base by around 13% over the last year, but there are signs that the rate of growth may be slowing.
EchoStar, the second-largest satellite broadcaster in the United States, added 225,000 subscribers to its Dish Network in the last quarter, bringing the total number of subscribers to 11.46 million.
Rival DIRECTV added the same number of new customers in the United States over the same period, taking its total subscriber base to 14.67 million. The company signed 964,000 subscribers in the quarter, but the number of net additions was down on the same period the previous year, due to slightly higher churn.
EchoStar reported total revenue of $2.1 billion for the three months to the end of June, up 18% on the corresponding period the previous year, with a net income of $856 million, ten times more than for the same period the preceding year.
DIRECTV revenues for the same period were $3.18 billion, with a net income of $162 million, the first profit in two years, compared to a loss of $13.3 million a year ago.
Chase Carey, the president and chief executive of DIRECTV said he believed several important initiatives would extend DIRECTV’s leadership, including a new NFL Sunday Ticket package, the introduction of a more advanced digital video recorder, and the roll-out of high-definition local television for several markets.
DIRECTV has received four Emmy nominations for interactive television this year. The Sports Mix and Interactive Service have both been nominated for enhanced programme and interactive service respectively, and also for outstanding achievements in advanced media technology.