Telephone and broadband packages boost BSkyB profit

SATELLITE broadcaster BSkyB reported a 32% rise in profits, as increasing sales of telephone and broadband packages offset a slowdown in new TV subscriptions.

An additional 26,000 households signed up for its TV services in the three months to September 30, bringing the total to 10.2 million, but this was down on 100,000 who signed up in the previous quarter.

But underlying profits rose to £327 million (€374m) as the group benefited from “cross-selling” to existing customers, with strong sales of line rental, telephone and broadband packages.