Sky still broadcasts top-of-the-range profits

BSkyB's latest results showed consumers are still willing to pay for more services, despite the sluggish economy. On average, Sky customers now pay £535 for an annual subscription, up from £510 a year earlier, as they add new services such as HD and broadband to their home packages.

Sky's strong financial performance included a 33 per cent rise in profits to £307m. The number of customers taking its television, broadband and fixed-line services is up by almost a third to 2.9 million of its 10.4 million customers. The company announced a price freeze earlier this year. Lorna Tilbian, a media analyst at Numis, said: "While all the utility companies are putting up their bills, Sky can look like the hero."