TW sells Gallic cable operations to UPC
Group to focus on North American market
Time Warner Cable has had a foothold in French cable since the early 1990s, running cable sites in Lyon, Limoges and the Paris suburbs. Sub levels are currently at 64,000, with a total of 210,000 homes connected to its cable service.
A further 30,000 homes should have the cable service available to them in the coming weeks, according to a UPC statement.
The Dutch cable company already has its own fledgling cable operation in France, Mediareseaux, operating in three regions of the country, with a total of 30,000 subscribers. Mediareseaux head Patrick Drahi indicated last week that his company will be making further acquisitions this year. UPC is known to be interested in acquiring part of France Telecom's cable network.
According to Time Warner, the decision to quit French cable is linked to a group strategy focusing on the North American market.
