The broadcaster reported a 31-per-cent rise in second-half operating profits to £385 million, ahead of forecasts, with turnover up six per cent to £2.6 billion. For the three months to end-December, BSkyB added 171,000 net subscribers, compared with 167,000 for the same period in 2007.
BSkyB also reported 188,000 new high-definition subscribers in the fourth quarter alone, taking total HD subscriptions to 779,000 out of a total of 9.23 million. Average revenue per subscriber rose to £444 in 2008, up from £421 in 2007. BSkyB also announced it was considering introducing 3-D television in 2009, and said it would create 1,000 new jobs.