Subscriptions to Sky Digital are edging ever nearer to Sky's end-2003 7 million target, figures in the company's latest results announcement show.
By the end of December 2002, the number of subscribers to the service stood at 6,562,000, coming from a total increase of 244,000 in the quarter. The percentage of these subscribers taking the top tier 'Sky World' package was a suitably impressive 55%.
Takers of the 'Extra Digibox' offer were up over 50%, an increase of 42,000 to 117,000, whilst Sky+ subscribers rose 27,000 to 65,000.
Churn, the proportion of subscribers leaving the service, over the six month period ended 31 December was the lowest since the launch of Sky Digital in 1998, standing at 9.4% -- one point down on the previous year.
The crucial ARPU figure for the quarter, measuring the average total a subscriber will spend on the service in a year, was reported as £351, a £3 rise on the previous quarter.
The company's total revenue for the period was £1,511 million, composed mainly by a strong £1,112 million total from Sky Digital revenues.
Interactive revenues showed signs of stagnation, despite the higher number of subscribers. The total interactive revenues, composed from both Sky Active revenues and betting revenues, held still at £91 million. Whilst Sky Active revenues were up to £48m, they were met with a balancing decline in betting revnues to £43m.
Overall, another set of impressive figures from Sky; CEO Tony Ball was appropriately confident: "Double digit revenue growth combined with tight control of costs has resulted in strong margin expansion driving significant and rapidly growing free cash flow. We are well on track to hit all of our targets and we look forward to the rest of the year with confidence."
By the end of December 2002, the number of subscribers to the service stood at 6,562,000, coming from a total increase of 244,000 in the quarter. The percentage of these subscribers taking the top tier 'Sky World' package was a suitably impressive 55%.
Takers of the 'Extra Digibox' offer were up over 50%, an increase of 42,000 to 117,000, whilst Sky+ subscribers rose 27,000 to 65,000.
Churn, the proportion of subscribers leaving the service, over the six month period ended 31 December was the lowest since the launch of Sky Digital in 1998, standing at 9.4% -- one point down on the previous year.
The crucial ARPU figure for the quarter, measuring the average total a subscriber will spend on the service in a year, was reported as £351, a £3 rise on the previous quarter.
The company's total revenue for the period was £1,511 million, composed mainly by a strong £1,112 million total from Sky Digital revenues.
Interactive revenues showed signs of stagnation, despite the higher number of subscribers. The total interactive revenues, composed from both Sky Active revenues and betting revenues, held still at £91 million. Whilst Sky Active revenues were up to £48m, they were met with a balancing decline in betting revnues to £43m.
Overall, another set of impressive figures from Sky; CEO Tony Ball was appropriately confident: "Double digit revenue growth combined with tight control of costs has resulted in strong margin expansion driving significant and rapidly growing free cash flow. We are well on track to hit all of our targets and we look forward to the rest of the year with confidence."
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