Rewrites throughout

July 22 (Reuters) - Rogers Communications RCIb.TO on Wednesday reported fewer wireless subscriber additions than expected in the second quarter, overshadowing a revenue beat that was supported by growth in its media business.

Both primary and U.S.-listed shares of the company were down about 2%.

The Canadian telecom company added 22,000 postpaid bill-paying wireless phone subscribers during the quarter, below analysts' expectations of 26,726, according to Visible Alpha data. Rogers said the decreases in postpaid gross and net additions during the period were a result of the overall slowing of population growth in Canada.

The country's telecom providers have been grappling with intense competition as they seek to attract and retain customers in a low-growth market, rolling out aggressive pricing and offering discounts to defend their market shares.

Rogers said its wireless service revenue was flat compared with a year earlier as customer additions were offset by a decline in monthly mobile phone average revenue per user (ARPU). Mobile phone ARPU during the quarter fell to C$54.25 from C$55.45 a year earlier.

The wireless service provider reported second-quarter revenue of C$5.615 billion, up 8% from a year earlier and beating analysts' average estimate of C$5.55 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Quarterly media revenue jumped 53% to C$1.16 billion, driven primarily by the consolidation of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and higher Toronto Blue Jays revenue. The company said organic sports and media revenue grew 13%, excluding the impact of MLSE.

Earlier this month, Rogers struck a deal to buy the remaining 25% interest in MLSE for C$4.35 billion and take its ownership to 100%. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter, with the timing subject to league approvals.

The company plans to subsequently sell a minority stake in its combined sports, media and entertainment portfolio.

Rogers posted a net loss of C$665 million during the second quarter, compared with net income of C$148 million a year earlier, primarily due to a C$1.03 billion non-cash loss from the revaluation of its MLSE put liability.

The company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 forecasts.

($1 = 1.4102 Canadian dollars)