BSkyB’s digital TV service sales have soared to a record 1.8
million.
Take-up has been fuelled by the company’s decision to give away set-top
boxes, along with the appearance of other new services, Sky Sports Extra
and Open.
The figures represent sales of digital satellite equipment between July
and 14 October, while installed digital subscribers are expected to hit
1.5 million next week. The official direct-to-home net subscriber growth
was reported at 122,000 for the quarter.
Arch competitor ONdigital claimed the reported figures were
misleading.
’It’s good to see the growth in digital TV,’ said a spokeswoman. ’But
the number of subscribers are simply conversions, whereas all of our
subscribers are completely new to digital.’ BSkyB said 45 per cent of
the digital sales were from new subscribers.
Despite the growing take-up of Sky’s digital service, it is believed
that it has yet to attract any substantial advertising revenue. One
media buyer said: ’To get advertisers interested in spending money on
Sky Digital, it is in the company’s interest to have Barb’s digital
viewing figures reported as soon as possible.’
