One-in-four take Sky Digital service

SUBSCRIBERS to Sky Digital in Ireland increased by 8,000 in the third quarter to reach 355,000.

The rise represents annual growth of almost 12% (37,000 subscribers) since March 31, 2004.

Yesterday, owners BSkyB announced its third quarter financial results for the three months to March 31, 2005, showing continued growth for Sky in Ireland.

In the six years since the launch of digital television in Ireland, Sky has established itself as the leading provider of digital services to customers. Over a quarter of the 1,371,000 TV households in Ireland (26%) now subscribe.

In total, Sky channels are available to over two-thirds of all households via cable/mmds and Sky digital.

Sky Ireland director Mark Deering said: “With over 1 in 4 households now subscribing to Sky Digital, the appeal of digital television continues to grow in Ireland. Sky is firmly committed to continuing to invest and innovate in Ireland, with the launch of high definition television planned for 2006.”

Meanwhile, in London yesterday, BSkyB posted its biggest quarterly profit in almost two years as it added more subscribers than predicted.

Net income for the three months ended March 31 rose 5.3% to £119 million (E178m), or 6.3 pence a share, from £113m (E169m), or 5.8 pence, a year earlier.