zakonkz.com

The number of subscribers to digital interactive television is increasing in Kazakhstan.

At the same time, the number of cable television users is declining.
The number of subscribers to digital interactive television is increasing in Kazakhstan.

In 2023, Kazakhstan had 481.8 thousand cable TV subscribers, which is a decrease of 9.2% compared to the previous year. The number of satellite TV subscribers also fell by 11.3%, reaching 1.5 million. At the same time, the number of digital interactive television (IPTV) subscribers increased by 10.1%, totaling 1.2 million. Additionally, subscribers using bundled services for fixed-line telephony, fixed broadband, and paid television grew by 18.1%, bringing the total number of clients to 324.1 thousand, as reported by Energyprom.kz.

The highest number of cable and interactive television subscribers, as well as those using bundled communication services that include paid television, was found in Almaty, while the least was in the Turkestan region. The most satellite TV users were in the Turkestan region, with the fewest in the Atyrau region.

According to the National Statistics Bureau of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of Kazakhstan, the coverage of the country with terrestrial digital television reached 100%. These figures are quite puzzling, as not all regions are fully covered by broadcasting.

For example, in Shymkent and the Mangistau region, coverage did indeed reach 100%. Following them are the Turkestan (98.3%), North Kazakhstan, and Kostanay (98% in each region) regions. Meanwhile, the lowest coverage was recorded in the West Kazakhstan (only 10.4%), Kyzylorda (13.4%), and Zhambyl (52%) regions. How this results in a national figure of 100% remains a mystery.

Coverage decreased compared to the previous year only in the Turkestan region, by 0.5 percentage points. In other regions, the figures remained at the previous year's level or showed minor growth ranging from 0.1 to 1 percentage point.

As of September this year, cable television services in Kazakhstan increased in price by 3.5% year-on-year, while satellite television services rose by 5.6%.

Regionally, the prices for cable television services saw the most significant increases in Kyzylorda (by 26.4%), West Kazakhstan (by 22.8%), Mangistau (by 15.9%), Kostanay (by 15.5%), and North Kazakhstan (by 9.5%) regions. The smallest increase was noted in the Aktobe region, at 2.9%. In six regions—Almaty, East Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Zhetysu, Pavlodar, and Ulytau—prices remained at last year's level. In two regions, prices decreased: in Akmolinsk region by 1% and in Astana by 4.2%.

Satellite television services experienced the highest price increase in the Zhetysu region, at 27.3%. The list of regions with the highest price hikes also included West Kazakhstan (21.1%), Aktobe (19.3%), Kostanay (19.1%), and Mangistau (10%). The smallest increase was recorded in Astana, at 1.9%. Additionally, in nine other regions, prices remained consistent with the previous year.