HBO puts NPD on blast, says TV subscriptions increasing

Subscription channels HBO, Showtime and Starz are fighting back against a recent NPD Group study that reported pay TV channels have dropped 6 percent of customers through the past two years.

Following the public outcry, NPD clarified its statement sand said while subscribers have declined, TV subscribers are including more channels to their subscription package.

There is fierce competition among broadcasters, cable/satellite providers, and online video content services all vying for consumer attention. Subscribers have a number of different choices when it comes to video content, with HBO, Showtime, Starz, and other broadcasters opening up Web-based streaming for paying customers.

Meanwhile, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has taken aim at HBO and other subscription TV services, as the company recently hit 33 million subscribers during Q3.