Traditional MVPDs Losing 1.1 Million Video Subs in 2017, Macquarie Analyst Says

Traditional MVPDs likely will end 2017 with just shy of 1.1 million video subscriber losses, with almost half of those in traditionally weak Q2, Macquarie's Amy Yong wrote investors Thursday. She said 2018 losses, at 773,000, and 2019 losses, at 644,000, should be less pronounced. The analyst said Charter Communications, Comcast and WideOpenWest are likely well positioned to handle video pressures due to their broadband infrastructures and over-the-top experimentation. In a companion note, Macquarie analyst Tim Nollen said despite those subscriber trends, network affiliate revenue will be affected by pricing built into long-term contracts, further penetration of younger networks in some bundles and subscriber contributions from virtual bundles. Nollen said some networks should start seeing bigger results from growing virtual MVPD offerings.