Sky expected to post strong Xmas sales

Sky is expected to announce a healthy set of new subscription figures this Wednesday (February 2), according to predictions from industry analysts.

Strong sales over the Christmas period could see the broadcaster add anywhere between 160,000 and 180,000 new (net) subscribers in the three months ended December 31, 2004.

In the previous quarter, Sky posted a disappointing 62,000 figure, taking its total subscriber base to 7.4 million.

New subscriptions for the Sky+ PVR service are expected to rise by as much as 100,000.