Customers have responded in record numbers to Sky’s HD service and has more than doubled the number of HD customers in the last year alone, with over 90 customers* an hour joining Sky+HD. In the next step in the Sky+HD journey, Sky today announced it will launch the U.K.’s first 3D channel next year. The channel will offer a broad selection of the best available 3D programming, which is expected to include movies, entertainment, and sports. The service will be broadcast across Sky’s existing HD infrastructure and be available via the current generation of Sky+HD STBs. To watch 3D, customers will also require a new 3D Ready TV, which are expected to be on sale in the U.K. next year. This commitment follows extensive research and development activity into 3D, which included Sky becoming the first TV company in Europe to broadcast a live event in 3D TV. On April 2nd, 2009 Sky successfully broadcast a performance by Keane live from Abbey Road Studios via the company’s satellite network to a Sky+HD set-top box and domestic 3D Ready TV. Sky has also confirmed the launch of a comprehensive ‘pull’ video-on-demand (VOD) service next year, to provide Sky+HD customers with additional choice and control to complement Sky+ and the current Sky Anytime ‘push’ VOD service. This new service will use the broadband capability of existing Sky+HD boxes.
Sky is also reporting double digit organic revenue growth in retail subscription and a good performance on costs that helped to offset cyclical headwinds and the upfront cost of strong demand for product. Adjusted revenue increased by 7 percent, adjusted operating profit increased by 4 percent, and adjusted basic earnings per share (adjusted EPS) was up by 3 percent. Reported revenue of 5,359 million pounds includes 396 million pounds related to Sky Broadband and Sky Talk and 202 million pounds related to Easynet. Reported operating profit of 813 million pounds includes losses attributable to Sky Broadband and Talk of 129 million pounds and a 26 million pound loss from Easynet. Excluding the short term impact of Company investments in broadband, telephony, and HD, the underlying operating profit this year was more than 1 billion pounds. Sky intends to continue to invest through the downturn to position the firm for sustainable long term returns. To read the entire financial report, access this direct link.