British pay-TV broadcaster BSkyB said today profit rose by 126 per cent in the six months to December 31st as the number of customers subscribing to its services rose sharply.
BSkyB, which is 40-per cent owned by Mr Rupert Murdoch, said operating profit before goodwill and exceptionals rose to £158.3 million (€237 million) from £70.1 million in the same period the previous year.
The company said it added 244,000 new customers in the final three months of the year, taking its total customer base to 6.6 million, up from 5.761 million a year earlier.
"Double-digit revenue growth combined with tight control of costs has resulted in strong margin expansion driving significant and rapidly growing free cash flow," said chief executive Mr Tony Ball.
The company said advertising revenue increased by 13 per cent to £133 million in the latest six months, when compared with the same period a year earlier.
PA