BSkyB lifted by strong customer demand

BSkyB today said its customer numbers topped nine million after the satellite broadcaster bucked “challenging” trading conditions.

The firm added 87,000 new customers in the three months to September 30, taking its total to 9.07 million – its best first-quarter performance for five years.

The broadcaster’s churn rate – customer turnover – rose to 10.9% in a period when the company raised prices, but remains within its 10-11% guidance.

Shares in the firm have recently come under pressure amid fears that households will cut back on pay-TV channels amid looming recession.

But chief executive Jeremy Darroch said the group had produced “a good set of results in a challenging environment”.