Standard & Poors today raised BSkyB's rating outlook to 'positive' from 'stable'.

The agency also affirmed BSkyB's current rating of BB+. Moody's Investors Service rates the company as Ba1.

Sky said it 'welcomed' the announcement, and added: "As at 30 September 2002, BSkyB's net debt was £1.5 billion, a reduction of over £300 million since the Company turned cashflow positive in January 2002. BSkyB will report its interim results for the six months to 31 December 2002 on 14 February."