MUMBAI : Revenues in the European cable industry jumped more than seven per cent last year to €18.2 billion.

Demand for digital television, internet broadband and telephony services grew sharply from 41 million subscriptions in 2007 to 51 million in 2008. Including the 43 million customers who watch analogue cable TV, the total number of subscriptions grew to 94 million, according to new figures published by Cable Europe.

The figures, compiled by Screen Digest, showed that total cable industry revenues in Europe rose to €18.2 billion in 2008, compared with €16.96 billion in the previous year and more than double the €8.2 billion total recorded at the start of the decade. Cable now accounts for 58 per cent of all pay-TV homes in Europe.

Cable Europe president Manuel Kohnstamm says, “Cable in Europe continues to grow at a healthy pace despite the economic slowdown. Technological innovation and improved customer experience are the main drivers of this ongoing trend.”

This progress comes as industry leaders including Disney Channels Worldwide president Rich Ross, Liberty Global president and CEO Mike Fries, Joost CEO Mike Volpi and Virgin Media CEO Neil Berkett prepare to debate new content deals, technology opportunities and pay-TV demand at the Cable Congress in Berlin later this month.

At the Congress, which will bring together over 700 delegates, the Executives are expected to renew a commitment to digital services, reflecting the continued transition from analogue to digital distribution.

Of Europe’s largest markets, particularly strong growth was reported in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, matched by consistently healthy demand in central and eastern Europe. A more detailed overview of the Cable Industry’s 2008 data will be given at the Cable Congress.