Sky profits drop, but Sky Go and Broadband packages boost figures

Sky has announced an 8 per cent drop in year-on-year profits, despite its continued push on Sky Go and broadband helping to boost figures.

Making the announcement during its annual profits call, broadcast and internet giant Sky has revealed that despite an 8 per cent annual decline in profits, more than 36 per cent of Sky customers now choose to take TV, telephone and broadband from the company.

Subscribers to the company's flagship TV service have remained stagnant for the second year running (from 10.2 million in 11/12 to 10.4 million now), but there's been a rapid growth in connected TV services and broadband packages.

The firm has reported 3.4 million customers now have Sky HD boxes, with numbers of internet connected box users growing by 50,000 a week. In addition, On Demand usage has quadrupled and movie rentals have also doubled.

Another flourishing section of the company is its mobile TV service Sky Go. More than 40 per cent of Sky Sports viewers watched via the network this year and there have been 219,000 net additions to Sky Go Extra, the company's video download to device service.

It's also been a successful year for Sky Broadband, which now has more than 5 million customers, with a  quarterly subscriber increase of 9 per cent.

“We are making excellent progress against the plan we set out in July to accelerate growth and returns from new services," said chief executive Jeremy Darroch.

"We have made a very good start to the year. Strong growth across the board drove a 7 per cent increase in revenues and we added 50 per cent more new subscription products than last year as customers continued to respond to the quality and value we offer," he stated.

"While the consumer environment remains challenging, we are well placed as we execute a strong set of plans for the rest of the year."

TalkTalk Plus TV broadband deal now offers £30 Love2shop voucher

For a limited period only, new customers signing up for the TV, home phone and broadband bundle online can get their hands on a Love2shop voucher.

This can be used to make savings in more than 20,000 UK high street stores - including Argos, Debenhams, River Island and Waterstones - plus bars, restaurants and various other attractions.

Consumers have until October 24th to take advantage of the broadband deal, which runs in addition to the existing price offer on TalkTalk Plus TV.

For the first six months of their broadband deal, subscribers can pay just £10 per month for TV, broadband and calls - down from the normal £15.50 per month.

This allows customers to save £33 during the introductory period of their 18-month contract.

A line rental fee of £15.40 per month applies from the first month.

The broadband package offers download speeds of up to 16Mb with an unlimited monthly usage allowance.

Subscribers can also take advantage of unlimited anytime calls to UK landlines.

The TV portion of the deal includes a free YouView set-top box - which ordinarily retails at £299 - a host of channels, including 69 not available on BT TV, and seven-day catch-up services.

With a YouView box, viewers are able to pause, rewind and record live television.

Plus TV subscribers can also access TalkTalk's on-demand catalogue, which includes more than 4,000 TV shows and films.

Subscribers have the option of upgrading their deal to include premium TV content such as Sky Sports and Sky Movies.

UPC launches new TV and broadband package to rival eircom

UPC announced today it will be launching a new budget range of digital TV, broadband and phone services in Ireland.

On the same day as eircom announced its entry into the television market, UPC launched its new triple and dual play 'Basics Collection'.

UPC’s Basics 3-Play Pack has over 50 digital TV channels, including the BBC and ITV channels, Sky One, Sky News and Channel 4, with unlimited 50Mb broadband and home phone for just €60 per month.

Dual play customers also have new products with a 50Mb broadband and phone with unlimited downloads being introduced for €30 per month, and the introduction of a new TV and phone service for €36.

Mark Coan, sales & marketing vice-president of UPC Ireland said: "UPC is the market leader, we’re constantly setting new standards and today is no exception.

"The launch of our Basics Collection maintains our position as the value leader in the Irish marketplace and extends our product range to consumers we didn’t reach before."