Hawaiian Telcom adds Universal Sports content to its IPTV lineup

Hawaiian Telcom (Nasdaq: HCOM) has expanded its video-content library by striking a deal with the Universal Sports Network, enabling it to provide Olympic sports coverage to its TV customers in Oahu.

Beginning on June 29, Hawaiian Telcom's TV subscribers will be able to access Universal Sports content on Channel 90 and HD Channel 1090. It will enable customers a two-month free preview before it becomes incorporated as an exclusive element of its Advantage Plus TV package.

Its latest agreement with Universal Sports is part of the service provider's broader effort to enhance its TV lineup.

After initially launching its digital TV service last July, Hawaiian Telcom has added an additional 30 High Definition channels-- like Universal Sports Network HD--and now delivers over 100 full-time HD channels.

Being still a relative newcomer in Hawaii's TV market, which had been traditionally dominated by Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Hawaiian Telcom needs to continue ramping up its offerings to lure subscribers.

While the telco is taking a careful approach to its IPTV build out, it is making progress with the service, increasing the number of paying subscribers and homes passed with the service.

As of the end of Q1 2012, it reported video revenues rose to $0.5 million up from $0.2 million in Q4 2011, a factor it said was driven by the doubling its subscriber base from 1,620 to 3,866. During the quarter, it also increased the number of homes passed from 27,400 to 41,200 and signed six new bulk multidwelling unit (MDU) contracts.

For more:
 - see the release (.pdf)

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