Tele Columbus sees TV decline offset by broadband growth in Q1
May 28, 2026 15.01 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

German cable operator Tele Columbus reported a continued decline in its TV customer base in the first quarter of 2026, while growth in internet and telephony services drove higher earnings and stable overall revenue.

Cable TV revenue-generating units (RGUs) fell to around 1.01 million in the quarter, compared with 1.08 million a year earlier. According to the company, the development was partly influenced by the disposal of a non-strategic foreign signal footprint and a data-driven booking effect related to the fourth quarter of 2025.

Overall quarterly revenue nevertheless increased slightly by 0.6% year-on-year to €105.5 million as gains in broadband and telephony offset weakness in the TV business. Revenue from internet and telephony services rose 6.5% to €61.2 million, while internet RGUs increased 5.3% to around 746,000.

“We have made a good start to the year 2026. Our internet and telephony business continues to grow and remains the key driver of our development,” said Christoph Lüthe, CEO of Tele Columbus. “With the wholesale cooperation with 1&1 agreed in early May 2026, we are unlocking additional growth potential for our network. Over the remainder of the year, we will focus on sustaining this growth in our core business and on advancing our fibre roll-out in a targeted manner.”

The agreement with 1&1 is intended to open Tele Columbus’ fibre infrastructure to approximately 1.2 million additional households over time.

Tele Columbus reported preliminary EBITDA of €43.2 million for the first quarter, up 33% from €32.5 million in the prior-year period. Normalised EBITDA increased 13% to €44.2 million. The Berlin-based company attributed the earnings improvement to transformation and efficiency measures as well as lower personnel, marketing and direct costs.

Capital expenditure excluding leasing declined 49.8% year-on-year to €18 million as Tele Columbus continued a more selective investment approach focused on fibre expansion and network modernisation.

“The earnings development in the first quarter shows that our transformation and efficiency initiatives are taking effect,” said Tim Rhönisch, CFO of Tele Columbus. “We have noticeably improved our profitability and are at the same time investing in a more targeted manner – with a clear focus on fibre and network modernisation. We will maintain this course over the remainder of the year, combined with strict cost discipline and a targeted capital allocation.”