[Satellite TODAY Insider 11-04-11] Liberty Global managed to increase overall revenues in the third quarter of its 2011 fiscal year and narrowed losses in its video subscriber base, the company announced in its latest financial results issued Nov. 3.

   While Liberty Global continued to lose subscribers in the three-month period ending Sept. 30, it trimmed its losses to 58,000 customers — a 35 percent improvement compared with the prior-year period. The company’s results were driven by strength in its analog services, as well as sustained growth of its digital cable and DTH holdings.

   Liberty Global President and CEO Mike Fries said his company’s results also highlighted the increasing traction of its triple-play offers. Fries said he was especially impressed with his European operations, which produced approximately 90 percent of the company’s net additions in the third quarter. “Building scale in Europe is a key strategic goal for us,” said Fries. “We recently completed the acquisition of Poland’s fourth largest cable operator. Additionally, we expect the regulatory decisions on the sale of Austar in Australia and the acquisition of Kabel BW in Germany to be finalized by Nov. 30 and Dec. 15 of this year, respectively.”

   Fries said his company’s digital cable subscriber growth was boosted by strong demand for HD and DVR services during the quarter. “With only 49 percent digital penetration, we continue to see a considerable digital growth opportunity with respect to the upgrade potential of our 7.9 million analog subscriber base,” Fries said in a statement.

   The company, which holds a subsidiary portfolio that also includes DTH operator UPC Austria and stakes in DirecTV and O3b, saw its quarterly revenues grow 4 percent year-over-year to $2.61 billion. Liberty’s operating cash flow reflected rebased growth of 2 percent to $1.23 billion, which brings its total cash flow growth rate to 5 percent for the year. The company also generated a 17 percent increase in operating income at $522 million compared with its third fiscal quarter of 2010.

   Liberty’s operating cash flow performance was tempered in part by a significant increase in subscribers during the period, which resulted in higher marketing and customer acquisition costs, Fries said.