Hey there! You may have heard that DISH Network lost over 270,000 pay-TV subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2022. As a streaming analyst, I wanted to provide some deeper insights into this latest development with DISH, the competitive forces impacting the company, and what the future could hold. Let‘s take a closer look!
DISH‘s Q4 subscriber losses – a worsening trend
DISH recently reported losing 273,000 satellite and streaming TV customers in Q4 2022. This accelerates the decline seen in previous periods – they shed just 104,000 subscribers in Q4 2021. For the full year, DISH lost a total of 521,000 pay-TV subscribers, compared to 375,000 losses for 2021. This table helps highlight the worsening trends:
| Quarter | DISH Subscriber Losses |
| Q4 2021 | 104,000 |
| Q1 2022 | 232,000 |
| Q2 2022 | 210,000 |
| Q3 2022 | 184,000 |
| Q4 2022 | 273,000 |
Major competitors like AT&T, Comcast, and Charter are facing similar pressures, but DISH‘s satellite TV business has been hit particularly hard. This is likely driven by changing consumer preferences.
Why are consumers cutting the cord?
There are a few key factors motivating people to ditch traditional TV services:
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Cost savings – Streaming is generally cheaper than cable/satellite packages. AT&T reported that cord cutters save an average of $104/month.
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On-demand content – People enjoy having the freedom and flexibility to watch shows on their own schedule. Netflix pioneered this model.
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Mobile access – Streaming services allow you to download shows to watch offline on phones/tablets. DISH is limited to in-home viewing.
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No contracts – Streaming services don‘t lock you into long-term agreements with early termination fees like satellite.
According to Deloitte surveys, over half of US households now subscribe to paid streaming services. This brings us to the next driving force…
The explosive rise of streaming
Streaming has become many consumers‘ go-to for home entertainment. Total streaming subscribers passed 1 billion globally in 2022. Netflix remains the leader with 223 million subscribers, but many services are seeing rapid growth:
| Service | Global Subscribers |
| Netflix | 223 million |
| Amazon Prime Video | 200 million |
| Disney+ | 164 million |
| HBO Max | 92 million |
Newer advertising-based options like Peacock, Paramount+, and Tubi are also gaining interest. Streaming now accounts for 30% of TV viewing time in the US. As options expand, more consumers are going all-in on streaming for entertainment.
Can Sling TV bounce back?
DISH was hoping to offset satellite TV losses with their Sling TV streaming service. But Sling lost around 70,000 subscribers in Q4 and saw its first ever annual decline in 2022.
CEO Erik Carlson expects a rebound after overhauling the Sling platform in 2021. The updates unified the interface across devices and added a cloud DVR feature to compete with YouTube TV and Hulu Live. While a step in the right direction, Sling may need to beef up its channel packages and pricing to match surging competitors.
Additional partnerships and acquisitions could also strengthen Sling‘s positioning…
Partnerships, acquisitions, and innovations – DISH‘s streaming evolution
Though behind the curve on streaming, DISH is evolving to remain relevant in the direct-to-consumer landscape:
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In 2019, DISH partnered with T-Mobile to leverage their wireless network and 5G capabilities. This allows bundled TV/wireless offers.
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They acquired Boost Mobile in 2020, expanding their wireless subscriber base to over 9 million.
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2021 saw their Blockchain.TV acquisition – enhancing ability to deliver streaming content via blockchain technologies.
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DISH struck a deal in 2022 with Crown Castle to lease towers for their 5G network rollout.
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Innovations like viewership data analytics tool SlingView demonstrate enhanced data/targeting capabilities.
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DISH could look to further partnerships with content providers and FAST channels to strengthen Sling‘s offerings.
But despite these efforts, competition is fierce…
DISH faces intense competition from old rivals and new challengers:
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DIRECTV still leads in satellite with nearly 14 million subscribers. Their streaming service DIRECTV Stream reached 1.1 million adds in 2022.
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YouTube TV, Hulu Live, and FuboTV dwarf Sling TV in the virtual pay-TV space. YouTube TV passed 5 million customers in 2022.
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AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile all bundle streaming services like HBO Max and Paramount+ with mobile plans.
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Cable providers like Comcast integrate Peacock Premium perks to combat cord-cutting.
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FAANGs are spending big on content – Netflix budgets $17 billion a year. Can DISH keep up?
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Objectives like targeted ads, data insights, and retention vary across these competitors.
The arena is only getting more crowded as studios like Disney enter the fray directly. Standing out with the right mix of content, pricing, and flexibility will be key for Sling TV.
The outlook for DISH: Potential paths forward
So in this era of streaming proliferation, is satellite TV doomed? While the long-term trajectory for DISH Network‘s core business is concerning, there are still moves they could make to stabilize and drive future revenues:
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Double down on rural customers – Their satellite TV stronghold is in less populated areas underserved by broadband. Providing packages tailored to these customers could help retain subscribers.
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Enhance sports offerings – Live sports is a huge draw. Carrying more regional sports networks and season passes could attract sport-centric viewers.
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Leverage tech innovations – Using data insights, personalized recommendations, and targeted advertising to improve the customer experience.
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Integrate Sling TV perks – Making Sling an add-on for satellite subscribers could improve uptake and reduce churn.
While streaming may dominate in urban corridors going forward, satellite TV still offers unique features. There remains an opportunity for DISH to creatively bridge their services to offer robust options for a variety of viewer needs.
The coming year will prove pivotal in determining if DISH can adapt their offerings and capabilities to meet the streaming era head-on. One thing is certain – the TV landscape is undergoing massive change. Traditional providers need to evolve or risk irrelevance. Here‘s hoping DISH can rise to meet this challenge!
Let me know if you have any other questions on this topic!
