Numbers on the rise at takeover target Sky
Pay TV giant Sky has reported a 7 per cent jump in annual earnings and cheered its global appeal as it remains at the centre of a takeover battle between suitors 21st Century Fox and Comcast.
The group thanked the global success of hit shows such as Patrick Melrose, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, for helping operating profits of £1.03 billion for the year to 30 June, up from £964 million the previous year.
Pre-tax profits rose 7.6 per cent to £864m on like-for-like revenues 5 per cent higher at £13.6bn.
It said it saw customer growth of 39 per cent in the final three months, taking its total reach to more than 23 million households across Europe.
In the UK and Ireland, Sky grew underlying earnings by 9 per cent to £2bn, with revenues 4 per cent higher at £8.9bn.
It added 270,000 new customers in the UK and Ireland over the year, including 20,000 in the fourth quarter.