MUMBAI: Rupert Murdoch-controlled British Sky Broadcasting Plc (BSKYB) has posted a net profit of ?425 million for the last quarter ended 30 June 2005, an increase of 32 per cent over a year ago. This was powered by an increase in subscriber base with 83,000 customers being added in the final three months of the fiscal.
 

Turnover in the 12 month-period has increased by 11 per cent to ?4.05 billion. The net income for the three months ended 30 June rose to ?152 million ($268 million) from ?79 million a year earlier, the company said in a media release. Revenue increased 14 per cent to ?1.09 billion.
 
 

"The team delivered a set of results this year that demonstrates the health of our business and the strong position that the company occupies in this rapidly evolving marketplace," BSKYB CEO James Murdoch said.

The improvement in the quarter took the company's direct-to-home (DTH) digital subscriber base to 7.8 million. The company aims to reach eight million subscribers by the end of the calendar year.