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BSkyB increases customer numbers Broadband launch hits Sky profits
(10 minutes later)
Satellite broadcaster BSkyB has reported strong growth in customer numbers in the past 12 months. Satellite broadcaster BSkyB has reported a fall in profits as a result of investment in services such as broadband and telephone land lines.
Subscribers grew 406,000 to 8.58 million, partly as a result of the row that led to some Sky channels being unavailable to Virgin Media.
Wholesale subscription revenue, which is the money it receives from other broadcasters, fell £16m.
Pre-tax profits for the year to June fell 9% to £724m. Sky says its profits "reflect investment for future growth".Pre-tax profits for the year to June fell 9% to £724m. Sky says its profits "reflect investment for future growth".
Sky Broadband reported a net operating loss of £169m, but signed up 716,000 new subscribers.
BSkyB's operating profit fell 7% to £815m, but that was still better than analysts had been expecting.
BSkyB released its subscriber numbers earlier this month, which showed that subscribers had grown 406,000 to 8.58 million.
The growth was partly as a result of the row that led to some Sky channels being unavailable to Virgin Media.
Dividend increased
Wholesale subscription revenue, which is the money it receives from other broadcasters that show its channels, fell £16m.
Despite falling profits, Sky is increasing its dividend by 27% to 15.5 pence per share.
Chief executive James Murdoch said that the dividend growth reflected the company's confidence in the future.
"We are well placed to capitalise on the significant opportunities available to us," he said.