BSkyB Adds 715K New Subscribers In Third Quarter Ahead Of BT Sports Launch

BSkyB "has revealed strong growth in subscription numbers in the third quarter, ahead of the relaunch of a rival TV service by BT this summer," according to Daniel Thomas of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Sky and BT "will go more directly head to head this summer with combined phone and TV bundles." But first advantage has gone to the U.K.-based satellite company following rapid growth in the same Internet-connected TV services that BT "is hoping will bring in new customers for its core broadband and phone products." BSkyB said that "subscriptions had grown 715,000 in the third quarter." BSkyB said that "it had secured the live rights to the U.S. Open and ATP World Tour tennis, bolstering its own sports content ahead of BT’s forthcoming rival channels that will show about 38 English Premier League football games starting next season as well as Premiership rugby and other sports" (FT, 5/2).