The company's U.S. revenues rose 14 percent in the first quarter to $4 billion and the average monthly revenue per subscriber increased 8.6 percent to $79.70.
DIRECTV says that seven million customers (41%) now subscribe to a HD and/or DVR service (DIRECTV does not break out statistics for individual high-def and DVR subscribers), up from 30% a year ago.
DIRECTV HD and DVR customers spend nearly $100 per month on programming packages, which is more than 50 percent greater than a non-HD/DVR customer, according to DIRECTV CFO Patrick Doyle.
The company claims the increase is due to expanding its high-def programming lineup. DIRECTV last fall had just nine national HD channels, but has since increased that total to 95.
TiVo
DIRECTV is "not doing a lot" in regard to expanding its relationship with DVR service TiVo, says CEO Carey. The executive said the company is now focused on deploying company-owned DVRs for new services, such as VOD and home networking. (DIRECTV pulled the plug on its marketing relationship with TiVo a few years ago, but still offers service for existing TiVo/DIRECTV set-tops.)
"I think we have a constructive relationship (with TiVo)," said Carey. "We are not doing a lot in all honesty but I think we have an honest dialog that I think is sincere about seeing if there are things that make sense for us."
"I think things like a DVR will become just like a VCR or a DVD player was in a home and become a mainstream part of an experience, as will HD," said DIRECTV CEO Chase Carey.
If that's the case, DIRECTV should be concerned. They risk losing a lot of customers that are fed up with their terribly unreliable DIRECTV DVRs.
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