Good Insights

Insight added 37.6K HSD customers in 3Q, more than double the adds it saw in 2Q and "by far the highest growth level we’ve had in the history of the HSD business," CEO Michael Willner said. Despite the 30% growth in HSD, Insight’s HSD penetration of just 13% lags big ops like Time Warner and Cablevision, whose HSD penetration stands at 24% and 28%, respectively. That means it’s a priority and big growth area for ICCI—HSD dollars accounted for 40% of Insight revenue growth in the Q. Insight’s focus on attracting/retaining customers hit the bottom line, however; margins declined to 41.9% from 42.7% last Q and 43.1% last year. — By the Numbers: Total revenue jumped 10%, to $250.5mln, driven by HSD adds, basic video volume and digital video revenue. Insight gained 21.2K digisubs, upping digital penetration to 36%. Available throughout the MSO’s footprint, HD DVR boxes helped boost digital sell-in, close to 60%, up from the 50% range. Operating cash flow grew 7%, to $105.1mln. — The company remains a candidate for takeover for the next 12-24 months, UBS believes, although risks remain in the form of the SBC/DISH bundle available throughout its footprint.