Embattled regional pay-TV operator Austar United Communications has improved its cash flow position, cutting outlays by 71-percent in the March quarter.
In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, the company said cash used in operating and investing activities decreased from AU$228 million to AU$66 million in the period.
At the end of the quarter, Austar had AU$123 million in the bank.
The improved cash-burn rate represents a 71 percent decrease in capital expenditure from AU$60 million to AU$17 million, and one-off acquisition of licences totally AU$124 million.
The improved position was offset, in part, by a AU$24 million payment to Telstra Saturn.
Austar, 73 percent owned by US cable TV operator UnitedGlobalCom, has faced an uphill battle in recent times, posting a loss of AU$319.4 million for the year 2000.
In February, it confirmed that its subscriber numbers dropped by 5,100 in the three months to December, leaving it with around 39,000 subscribers, well short of a forecast 60,000.
Austar will release its full statement of results for the first quarter on May 15th.
