Subscription Revenue
Total subscription revenue from continuing operations decreased $9.9 million, or 6%, and $21.3 million, or 4%, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2021. The decreases were primarily driven by a $12.1 million and $39.8 million shift in service offering mix, respectively, as we continue to experience a reduction in Video and Telephony RGUs. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.0 million and $13.3 million increase in average revenue per unit (“ARPU”), respectively, as HSD customers continue to purchase higher speed tiers; coupled with HSD and Video rate increases issued in the second half of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, and a $1.2 million and $5.2 million increase in volume, respectively, attributable exclusively to the addition of HSD subscribers. ARPU is calculated as subscription revenue for each of the HSD, Video and Telephony services divided by the average total RGUs for each service category for the respective period.
Other Business Services
Other business services revenue from continuing operations decreased $0.2 million, or 4%, and $0.8 million, or 5%, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2021. The decreases in each period were primarily due to decreases in data center revenue.
Other
Other revenue from continuing operations decreased $0.2 million, or 2%, and $0.9 million, or 4%, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in 2021. The decreases were primarily due to decreases in advertising and line assurance revenue.
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) from continuing operations decreased $14.3 million, or 15%, and $37.5 million, or 13%, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2021. The decreases were primarily driven by decreases in direct operating expenses, specifically programming expenses of $7.8 million and $25.7 million, respectively which aligns with the reduction in Video RGUs between periods and a decrease in bad debt expense, partially offset by decreases in capitalizable eligible expenses.
Incremental contribution
Incremental contribution is defined as subscription services revenue less costs directly incurred from third parties in connection with the provision of such services to our customers (service direct expense). Incremental contribution from continuing operations increased $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021 and $12.0 million, or 3%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
The increases are primarily related to the decrease in programming expense. Programming expense decreased from $42.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 to $34.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and $137.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 to $111.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, which is attributable to the decline in Video RGUs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses from continuing operations decreased $5.1 million, or 11%, and $15.5 million, or 12%, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2021. The decreases are primarily attributable to decreases in costs associated with digital transformation initiatives, marketing, and legal and professional services expenses, partially offset by an increase in stock compensation expense.