TMCnet News
BLOCKBUSTER PROFIT FOR BT [Ulster Region] [Mirror (UK)](Mirror (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) BT has announced a jump in profits, just a month before hitting customers with price hikes. Profits in its consumer arm leapt 19% to Pounds 463million in the six months to September 30. Yet the telecoms giant is whacking up standard line rental for direct debit customers by 6.25% to Pounds 16.99 from December 1, with call charges also rising. Rivals Sky and TalkTalk will also increase prices on the same day. BT boss Gavin Patterson insisted: "We have to recognise that some of our costs are rising." Those include a big outlay for top-flight footie rights for its BT Sports channels. BT signed-up 38,000 new TV customers and 88,000 broadband users between July and September. Video streaming service Netflix, which will screen the new TV show DreamWorks Dragons next year, will be added to its TV offer soon. BT group's half-year profit rose 10%, helping the firm up its interim dividend by 15% to 3.9p a share. The resulting Pounds 317m pay-out is a boost to BT's 1.1 million small shareholders. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |