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Skyline Champion

sky · LSE Consumer Cyclical
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FY2011 Annual Report · Skyline Champion
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British Sky Broadcasting Group plc
Annual Report 2011

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc
Grant Way, Isleworth
Middlesex TW7 5QD
Telephone 0333 100 0333
Facsimile 0333 100 0444
www.sky.com
Registered in England No. 2247735

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ANNUAL RePORT 2011

We want to be first choice 
for entertainment and 
communications.

Sky is a valued part of everyday life in more than 10 million homes. 
We entertain, excite and inspire customers with a great choice of 
high-quality television in high definition. We make technology 
simple and put viewers in control. We connect people to each 
other and to the world with our broadband and phone services.

Because we never forget that Sky is a choice, we put customers 
first and work hard to earn their trust. We make our products 
affordable so millions can join in. And we back it all up with a 
commitment to exceptional customer service.

Seeing the bigger picture is part and parcel of the way we do 
business. That’s why we’re committed to doing the right thing and 
playing our part in the communities where we live and work.

We strive to be the best for our customers and our people, and to 
make a positive contribution to life in the UK and Ireland. We 
believe that focusing on long-term sustainability is the best way to 
achieve lasting success and create value for shareholders.

We’re always looking for ways to improve. That spirit has made us 
what we are today, and it will drive us to become what we want to 
be tomorrow.

We believe in better.

Chairman’s statement 

3

Directors’ report – Business review
Chief executive  
4
Officer’s statement 
6
Our performance 
8
Review of the business 
18
Corporate responsibility 
People 
22
Principal risks and uncertainties  24

Directors’ report – Financial and 
operating review 

Directors’ report – Governance
Board of Directors 
Corporate governance report 
Other governance and  
statutory disclosures 
Report on Directors’  
remuneration 

29

36
38

46

49

Consolidated financial statements
Statement of Directors’  
responsibility 
Independent Auditor’s report 
Consolidated  
financial statements 
Group financial record 
Non-GAAP measures 

59
60

61
118
121

Shareholder information 

Glossary of terms 

122

124

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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ANNUAL RePORT 2011

Forward looking statements

This constitutes the Annual 
Report of British Sky Broadcasting 
Group plc (the “Company”) in 
accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards 
(“IFRS”) and with those parts 
of the Companies Act 2006 
applicable to companies reporting 
under IFRS and is dated 28 July 
2011. This Annual Report makes 
references to various Company 
websites. The information on our 
websites shall not be deemed 
to be part of, or incorporated by 
reference into, this Annual Report.

This document contains certain forward looking statements 
with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and 
business, and our strategy, plans and objectives. These statements 
include, without limitation, those that express forecasts, 
expectations and projections, such as forecasts, expectations and 
projections with respect to the potential for growth of free-to-air 
and pay television, fixed line telephony, broadband and bandwidth 
requirements, advertising growth, Direct-to-Home (“DTH”) customer 
growth, Multiroom, Sky+, Sky+HD and other services’ penetration, 
churn, DTH and other revenue, profitability and margin growth, cash 
flow generation, programming costs, subscriber management and 
supply chain costs, administration costs and other costs, marketing 
expenditure, capital expenditure programmes and proposals for 
returning capital to shareholders.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in 
such forward looking statements are reasonable, these statements 
(and all other forward looking statements contained in this 
document) are not guarantees of future performance and are 
subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which 
are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause 
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied 
or forecast in the forward looking statements. These factors 
include, but are not limited to, the fact that we operate in a highly 
competitive environment, the effects of laws and government 
regulation upon our activities, our reliance on technology, which is 
subject to risk, change and development, failure of key suppliers, 
our ability to continue to obtain exclusive rights to movies, 
sports events and other programming content, risks inherent in 
the implementation of large-scale capital expenditure projects, 
our ability to continue to communicate and market our services 
effectively, and the risks associated with our operation of digital 
television transmission in the United Kingdom (“UK”) and Republic of 
Ireland (“Ireland”).

Information on the significant risks and uncertainties associated 
with our business is described in “Directors’ report – Business 
review – Principal risks and uncertainties” in this document. No 
part of these results constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, 
an invitation or inducement to invest in the Company or any other 
entity and must not be relied upon in any way in connection with 
any investment decision. All forward looking statements in this 
document are based on information known to us on the date hereof. 
except as required by law, we undertake no obligation publicly to 
update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a 
result of new information, future events or otherwise.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
2

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ANNUAL RePORT 2011

Chairman’s statement

The last year has again 
presented a challenging 
environment for consumer 
businesses, as families are 
squeezed by higher prices 
and lower disposable income. 
Against that backdrop, Sky 
has continued to perform 
well, with a strong operational 
and financial performance 
across the board. Furthermore, 
our business is well placed 
to continue to grow in the 
future, as we take advantage 
of the significant potential 
in the entertainment and 
communications marketplace.

The relationships we have with our customers are the foundation 
on which our business has been built. That is why reaching 
our long-term target of 10 million customers this year was an 
important milestone in the Company’s progress, as well as an 
endorsement of the quality, value and choice that we offer to our 
customers.

But more important than any single target is the way that the 
Company continues to transform itself. Since setting the goal of 
10 million customers in 2004, we have moved from being largely 
a single-product company to become a leader in a much broader 
field of opportunity, with a diverse set of entertainment and 
communications products. In parallel, we have further developed 
our high-quality content offering, set the pace of innovation 
across the industry and grown our capabilities as an organisation 
by developing a strong culture of continuous improvement. Those 
achievements are the consequence of a clear, consistent plan 
and excellent execution over several years by a highly focused 
management team.

Today, more families are choosing Sky for a greater variety of 
products than ever. As we look to deepen our relationships with 
those customers, we recognise also the importance of making 
a positive contribution to the community in which we operate. 
Over the last year, we have continued to develop our work in three 
key areas of focus: helping to protect the environment; improving 
lives through sport; and opening up the arts to more people.

On 13 July 2011, News Corporation – where I am an executive 
Director – withdrew its proposal to acquire the shares in Sky that 
it does not already own. In doing so, News Corporation stated that 
it remains a committed, long-term shareholder in Sky, proud of the 
success that the Company has achieved over many years, and of 
News Corporation’s contribution to it.

As well as reiterating that commitment and support, I would like 
to take this opportunity to thank the excellent team at Sky and 
the entire Board for the focus that they have shown throughout 
the last year. It is because of their talent and dedication that the 
Company continues to deliver for customers and to achieve such 
strong progress for shareholders.

In reflection of the Company’s continued strong performance, and 
our confidence in the opportunity ahead, the Board proposes a 
20% increase in the full year dividend to 23.28 pence per share and 
intends to return £750 million to shareholders through a share 
buy-back programme over the next 12 months. On behalf of the 
Board, I would like to thank all shareholders for their continued 
support.

James Murdoch  
Chairman
28 July 2011

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

 Chief Executive Officer’s statement

The approach that we have taken over a number of years is designed to 
deliver the right balance between growth and returns. We invest sensibly 
where we see attractive opportunities and where customers see value, 
while staying equally focused on the efficiency of our operations. It is this 
approach that will best deliver sustainable growth in revenue, profit and 
cash flow over time.
Looking back at our performance during 2011, our results show that our 
strategy is working. Against the backdrop of a challenging economic 
environment, Sky has continued to perform well on all fronts, with strong 
demand across the board, good progress on our priorities and excellent 
financial results.
More customers are choosing Sky than ever and they are taking a 
greater variety of products from us. During the year, we added 3.8 million 
subscription products to take the total to more than 25 million. Within 
that, more than 400,000 new customers joined Sky, which means that 
we now have a direct subscription relationship with almost 10.3 million 
households in the UK and Ireland.
Importantly, we never forget that such success comes only when 
consumers choose to reward us with their business. Customers always 
have a choice and we must walk to their drumbeat. For us, that means 
serving them with a set of entertainment and communications products 
which meet their needs better than anyone else.
The combination of great content and great innovation has been a driving 
force behind our growth over recent years: helping to build loyalty among 
existing customers; attracting new customers; and driving take-up of new 
products. It was fundamental to us passing the milestone of 10 million 
homes this year and it will remain fundamental to our growth in the future. 
These strengths have also proved durable in a tougher economic 
environment. At a time when customers are facing pressure on household 
budgets, we have found that many are staying in more and are looking for 
better entertainment in the home. So we’re investing sensibly in areas that 
play to our advantage and create more reasons to choose Sky.
INveSTING IN CONTeNT AND INNOvATION
A key element of this approach is continued investment in stand-out 
content in order to differentiate further the pay-Tv experience. As part 
of this, we set out this year to create a step change in our entertainment 
offering to complement our existing strengths in sport, news and movies. 
Our new channel, Sky Atlantic, has become the UK home of HBO and much-
anticipated shows such as Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire. The 
addition of Sky Living has further strengthened our entertainment line-up 
and we have stepped up our commitment to original British programmes 
with home-grown productions like Mad Dogs, Got to Dance and The 
Runaway for Sky 1.
In sport, we marked the 20th anniversary of Sky Sports with an 
outstanding year including the Ashes series from Australia, more live 
Premier League matches, live coverage of the Ryder Cup and Masters in 
golf. Sky Arts continues to provide an unrivalled range of arts programming 
to more than two million viewers a month, while Sky News has offered 
exceptional coverage of the year’s momentous events around the world.
Alongside a better choice of content, we are innovating to improve the 
experience of watching television, both at home and increasingly on the 
move. Today, almost four million customers enjoy the superior picture and 
sound quality of our high definition (HD) service, which now offers more 
than 50 HD channels. The capability and connectivity of the Sky+HD box 
has also allowed us to open up new opportunities for customers, with the 
launch of europe’s first 3D television channel and the introduction of our 
full video on demand service, Sky Anytime+.

Our goal at Sky is to build a 
larger and more profitable 
business for the long term 
and, in doing so, to create 
the greatest sustainable 
value for shareholders. We 
believe there is significant 
potential for value creation 
in the entertainment and 
communications marketplace 
in which we operate. And, 
increasingly, we can grow in 
a variety of different ways: 
adding more customers; selling 
more products; and developing 
our other businesses.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

Beyond the living room, our new Sky Go service allows customers to get 
more value from their subscription by accessing live Tv on additional 
devices such as PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. And our 
acquisition of The Cloud, the UK’s leading public Wi-Fi network, will allow 
us to connect customers to our content in thousands of locations 
across the UK.
In a highly competitive environment, we have remained the UK’s fastest 
growing provider of home communications services as customers 
respond to the value, reliability and simplicity of our offering. We 
continue to benefit from the trend for customers to take multiple 
products from a single, trusted provider, with more than one in four 
customers now choosing to take all three of Tv, broadband and 
telephony from Sky. There remains a significant opportunity for 
continued growth both within our existing customer base and beyond, 
following our decision to make our home communications services 
available on a standalone basis.
Our ability to invest in areas of advantage, such as content and 
innovation, is underpinned by a strong focus on operational efficiency. 
We have continued to drive down costs across the business in the last 
year, for example by simplifying processes in our customer operations 
teams, and this will remain a priority as we move forward.
DeLIveRING exCeLLeNT FINANCIAL PeRFORMANCe
This approach has delivered an excellent financial performance for the 
year, with double-digit growth across the board despite the challenging 
consumer environment. Group revenues from continuing operations 
grew by 16% to £6,597 million, with strong performances in wholesale, 
advertising and Sky Bet as well as our retail business. Adjusted operating 
profit from continuing operations rose by 23% to £1,073 million and we 
delivered adjusted basic ePS from continuing operations of 41.6 pence, 
an increase of 30% on the previous year. Adjusted free cash flow from 
continuing operations rose by 51% to £869 million.
These results represent the continuation of a trend in which we have 
added almost £2 billion of revenue in the last three years, as well as 
growing adjusted basic ePS from continuing operations at an annualised 
rate of 16% and more than doubling adjusted free cash flow. This 
sustained performance demonstrates that we are balancing investment, 
growth and returns across both the economic and investment cycles.
In a reflection of the Company’s strong financial position, the Board 
has proposed a 20% increase in the full year dividend, continuing our 
track record of dividend growth. Additionally, we have announced our 
intention to return £750 million to shareholders through a share buy-
back programme over the next 12 months. News Corporation has agreed 
to participate in the buy-back. The effect of that agreement is to provide 
that there will be no change in News Corporation’s economic or voting 
interests in the Company as a result of the share buy-back programme.
Looking ahead, with a clear plan and a consistent set of priorities, we are 
confident in the long-term opportunity for the business. We expect our 
growth will benefit from being more broadly based, with four key sources 
of growth in the future. First, we will continue to grow the number of pay 
Tv households in the UK and Ireland. Second, we will increase penetration 
of our premium Tv products, such as HD, Sky Sports and Sky Movies. 
Third, we will expand our presence in home communications, building on 
the considerable success of the last year. And finally, we will continue to 
grow our other businesses, such as advertising, wholesale and Sky Bet.
We expect that the environment will remain challenging for all consumer 
businesses as government action to reduce the budget deficit continues 
to take effect. Against that backdrop, we intend to maintain the same 
consistent approach that has served us well in recent years. That means 
investing sensibly for the future and staying focused on delivering the 

financial returns from those investments. At the same time, we will 
continue to focus hard on operational efficiency and stay flexible on 
costs. 
MAKING A POSITIve CONTRIBUTION
At Sky, we recognise that our future success is based on valuable, 
long-term relationships with millions of families. So we understand 
the importance of being a responsible business and making a positive 
contribution to life in the UK and Ireland. We are committed to doing the 
right thing in our day-to-day business and to working with our people 
and our customers to play our part in the communities in which we 
operate. Through our Bigger Picture programme, the focus of our work 
is on three areas where we believe we can make a positive difference: 
helping to tackle climate change; improving lives through sport; and 
opening up the arts to more people. We have made good progress this 
year and we have an appetite to do more in the future.
Our Sky Rainforest Rescue campaign, a partnership with WWF, is 
progressing well towards its fundraising target of £4 million to help 
save one billion trees in the Amazon rainforest against the threat of 
deforestation. To raise awareness of the campaign, we broadcast a 
week of environment-themed programming, including the specially 
commissioned series Rooftop Rainforest on Sky 1 HD. 
In sport, our partnership with British Cycling is in its third year and on 
track to achieve our ambition of getting one million more people cycling 
regularly. Over 200,000 people of all ages took part in our second 
summer of Sky Ride events across the UK and we have expanded the 
programme to include a total of 21 events in summer 2011. Meanwhile, 
over a third of the UK’s secondary schools have now joined in with the 
Sky Sports Living for Sport programme, which aims to inspire young 
people to be the best they can be. Research among teachers shows 
that over 80% of young people taking part have shown increased self-
confidence and improvements in attitude towards learning. As a leading 
investor in sport, we are also extending our support for British and Irish 
talent with a new scheme to sponsor a number of athletes over the next 
18 months.
In the arts, we’ve launched a major new programme, Sky Arts Ignition, 
which will work with arts organisations to support the creation of new 
works, as well as providing five bursaries for young artists each year. 
And our Sky Arts channels have continued to open up the arts to more 
people, by bringing, for example, coverage of some of the UK and Ireland’s 
best literary and music festivals to a wider audience.
Initiatives such as The Bigger Picture are grounded in a strong 
commercial rationale. We believe strongly that building trust and 
engagement among our customers, our people and the wider 
community, is a vital foundation of long-term, sustainable success. We 
will look to grow our contribution still further in the future.
Finally, throughout the year, Sky was the subject of a proposal from News 
Corporation, our largest shareholder, about a possible offer to take full 
ownership of Sky. That proposal was subsequently withdrawn in July 2011.
It is to the credit of the entire team at Sky that, throughout this period, 
the Company stayed focused on executing our plan and delivering 
for our customers. I would like to thank all of our employees for their 
commitment, energy and creativity, and for the contribution that they 
make to our Company’s success every day.

Jeremy Darroch 
Chief executive Officer

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIew

 Our performance

we have a clear and consistent strategy: to attract new customers to 
Sky; sell more products and services to our existing customers; and 
develop our other businesses. This year, we continued to see good 
demand across our product portfolio as customers responded to the 
great quality and value that we offer. This translated into strong 
financial results, with double-digit growth in each of revenue, operating 
profit, earnings per share and cash flow, on an adjusted basis.

we have identified a number of key performance indicators that  
we use to assess the Group’s performance against its core strategic 
priorities, which include both operational and financial measures. In 
addition, we have developed 10 environmental KPIs. Our 
performance against these 10, together with a comprehensive 
review of our environmental initiatives can be found in the Bigger 
Picture Review at www.sky.com/biggerpicturereview2011.

OPeRATIONAL KeY PeRfORmANCe INDICATORS

TV cusTOmer bAse (mIllIOn)

HD PeneTrATIOn (%)

10.187

9.860

9.442

2008

6%

2009

14%

2010

2011

30%

38%

2009

2010

2011

Description
A Tv customer is defined as a subscriber 
to one or more of our DTH, Sky by wire, 
Sky Player or Sky mobile Tv services. This 
number excludes wholesale subscribers 
to our channels.

Analysis
Our total Tv customer base is a key 
determinant of the Group’s value. In 
2011, we added 327,000 net new Tv 
customers, growing the total base 
by 3%.

Description
HD penetration is defined as the 
percentage of Tv customers paying an 
additional monthly subscription to view 
HD content.

Analysis
Driving take-up of HD is important 
for customer satisfaction, while also 
generating incremental revenue and 
profit. In 2011 we added 883,000 HD 
customers.

cHurn (%)
2011 

10.4%

2010

10.3%

2009

10.3%

cusTOmers TAkIng eAcH Of TV, brOADbAnD AnD TelePHOny (%)

27%

21%

16%

2009

2010

2011

Analysis
Churn is a good measure of customer 
satisfaction, which is a key driver of 
value for our business. Churn for 2011  
was stable at 10.4%.

Description
The percentage of Tv customers taking 
any of our Tv products and both a Sky 
Broadband and a Sky Talk product. 
Customers may also opt for our line 
rental product.

Analysis
This is an important measure for our 
business, with higher penetration 
positively impacting ARPU and 
customer loyalty. At 30 June 2011,  
2.8 million customers chose each  
of Tv, broadband and telephony,  
up 37% from the prior year.

Description
Churn represents the number of DTH 
customers over a given period who 
terminated their subscriptions, net 
of former customers who reinstated 
their subscription (within 12 months of 
their original subscription), expressed 
as a percentage of total average DTH 
customers.

AnnuAl rePOrT 2011
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
6

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIew

fINANCIAL KeY PeRfORmANCe INDICATORS

ArPu (£) 

ADjusTeD grOuP reVenue (£m)1,3

ADjusTeD OPerATIng PrOfIT (£m)1,3

539

6,597

1,073

508

5,709

464

5,121

872

809

2009

2010

2011

2009

2010

2011

2009

2010

2011

Description
Average revenue per user (ARPU) is calculated by 
taking the amount spent by the Group’s residential 
customers (ex-vAT), divided by the average number 
of residential DTH customers.

Description
Adjusted Group revenue includes revenue from 
retail subscriptions, wholesale revenue, advertising, 
and installation, hardware and service revenue. It is 
adjusted for any exceptional items.

Description
Adjusted operating profit for the Group excludes 
any exceptional or one-off items.

Analysis
ARPU is impacted by the type of subscription 
package taken by a customer, as well as the number 
of additional paid-for products. ARPU increased by 
£31 as customers rewarded us with more of their 
business.

Analysis
Adjusted Group revenue is a key measure of how 
the Group is delivering on its strategy to grow the 
business. In 2011, adjusted revenue grew by  
£888 million to reach £6,597 million.

Analysis
Adjusted operating profit is a key measure of the 
underlying business performance. It increased by 
23% in 2011.

ADjusTeD bAsIc eArnIngs Per sHAre (p)1,2

ADjusTeD free cAsH flOw (£m)1,3

TOTAl sHAreHOlDer reTurn (%)

201141.6p

+30%

2010

32.1p  
27.8p  

2009

+15%

+3%

869

-11.9%
-25.7%

41.0%
30.9%

39.7%
13.7%

577

515

2009

2010

2011

2009

2010

SKY

fTSe

2011

Description
Adjusted basic ePS is the profit after tax for 
the year, excluding exceptional items and 
related tax effects, divided by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares.

Analysis
Adjusted basic ePS provides a measure of 
shareholder return that is comparable over time. 
Adjusted basic ePS increased by 30% to reach a 
record level of 41.6p.

Description
Adjusted free cash flow is defined as cash 
generated from operations after the impact of 
capital expenditure, net interest and tax paid, 
cash flows to and from joint ventures, excluding 
exceptional items.  

Analysis
free cash flow is an important measure of the 
Group’s success in converting profits to cash 
flow and of the underlying health of the business. 
Adjusted free cash flow increased by 51% as a  
result of higher profitability, strong working capital 
and lower net interest and tax payments.

1  from continuing operations.
2  for further details see note 11 of the consolidated financial statements.
3  for a reconciliation of non-gAAP measures see page 121.

Description
Total shareholder return (TSR) represents the 
change in value of a share held for the 12 months 
to 30 June, assuming that dividends are reinvested 
to purchase additional shares at the closing price 
applicable on the ex-dividend date. The value of the 
share is based on the average share price over the 
three months prior to 30 June.

Analysis
TSR represents a comparable measure of shareholder 
return over time. On this basis, BSkyB shares 
performed 26 percentage points better than the 
fTSe 100 index in the year to 30 June 2011; our share 
price was influenced by the proposed offer by News 
Corporation.

AnnuAl rePOrT 2011
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

Review of the business

INTRODUCTION
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc (the “Company”) and its 
subsidiaries (“Sky” or the “Group”) operate the leading pay television 
service in the UK and Ireland as well as broadband and telephony 
services. We commission and acquire programming to broadcast 
on our own channels and supply certain of those channels on a 
wholesale basis to third party operators for retransmission to their 
subscribers in the UK and Ireland. We retail channels (both our own 
and third parties’) to our Tv customers (see Glossary of terms). We 
also make three of our channels available free-to-air via the UK DTT 
platform, as part of the branded “Freeview’’ offering.

At 30 June 2011, there were 10,187,000 Tv Customers and 4,382,000 
subscribers to our channels through operators to whom we 
wholesale certain of our channels, in the UK and Ireland. According to 
estimates of Ofcom, as at 31 March 2011 (the latest data available for 
the year ended 30 June 2011), there were 10,100,000 homes in the 
UK receiving certain of our channels free-to-air via DTT where DTT 
is the only digital Tv platform supplying services (see “Distribution’’ 
below). As at June 2011, there were 107,000 standalone home 
communications customers.

Our total revenue from continuing operations in fiscal 2011 was 
£6,597 million (2010: £5,709 million), as set out in the table below.

For the year to 30 June
Retail subscription
Wholesale subscription
Advertising
Installation, hardware and service
Other
revenue

2011

£m

5,455
323
458
112
249
6,597

2010

£m

4,761
238
340
174
196
5,709

We operate principally within the UK and Ireland, with activities 
conducted primarily from the UK. Our revenue from continuing 
operations principally arises from services provided to retail 
and wholesale customers within the UK, with the exception of 
£422 million (2010: £378 million) which arises from services provided 
in other countries, mainly Ireland.

Our fiscal years end on the Sunday nearest to 30 June in each year. 
References in this document to a fiscal year ended 30 June is to 
the fiscal year ending on the Sunday nearest to 30 June. We publish 
our financial statements in British pounds sterling. References to 
“US dollars’’, “dollars’’, “US$’’, “$’’ and “¢” are to the currency of the 
United States (“US’’), references to “euro’’ and “€’’ are to the currency 
of the participating european Union (“eU”) countries, and references 
to “pounds sterling’’, “£’’, “pence’’ and “p’’ are to the currency of 
the UK.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance 
with IFRS as adopted by the eU, the Companies Act 2006 and Article 
4 of the International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) Regulations. In 
addition, our consolidated financial statements also comply with 
IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board 
(“IASB”).

Certain terms used herein are defined in the “Glossary of terms’’ 
which appears at the end of this Annual Report.

The Company, a public company limited by shares and domiciled 
in the UK, operates under the laws of england and Wales. It was 
incorporated in england and Wales on 25 April 1988. Our principal 
executive offices are located at Grant Way, Isleworth, Middlesex, 
TW7 5QD, england. Tel: +44 333 100 0333. A list of our significant 
investments is set out in note 34 to the consolidated financial 
statements.
CONTeNT
We provide Tv customers with a broad range of programming 
options. With respect to the channels we own and operate, we 
incur significant expense to produce and commission original 
programming and to acquire exclusive UK and Ireland television 
rights to films, certain sports events and other programming.

Currently, we own, operate, distribute and retail 30 Sky Channels 
via our DTH service (or 35 including multiplex versions of the Sky 
Channels, but excluding simulcast HD channels, Sky Insider (a 
channel available to Sky employees) and the business channel 
and the Pub Channel). We also simulcast most of the Sky 
Channels or programming from some of the Sky Channels in high 
definition. We currently retail to our DTH customers 147 partner 
channels (including multiplex versions of certain channels) (the 
“Sky Distributed Channels’’). We do not own the Sky Distributed 
Channels, although we have an equity interest in certain of them. In 
addition to the Sky Distributed Channels, we currently retail to our 
DTH customers the Sky Box Office service (a pay-per-view service 
offering movies, sporting events and concerts).

The packages offered to DTH Customers as at 30 June 2011, were as 
follows:

Package
variety Pack
Style & Culture Pack
Children’s Pack
Knowledge Pack
Music Pack
News & events Pack
ROI Bonus Mix
Adult Pay-Per Night
Disney Cinemagic*
MUTv
Chelsea Tv
eSPN
MGM HD
* 

Partner 
 Channels
29
22
18
24
14
8
16
9
2
1
1
2
1
Disney Cinemagic also available as a bonus channel to customers of both Movies 
Mix packages.

We retail “packages’’ of channels to our DTH Customers. The way 
they are currently packaged offers customers a choice of up to six 
“packs’’ of both Sky Basic Channels and Sky Distributed Channels 
(see “Basic Channels” below). each pack contains channels broadly 
within a specific genre of interest, to which customers have the 
option to add a combination of Sky Premium Channels and Premium 
Sky Distributed Channels (see “Sky Premium Channels” below). We 
also currently offer DTH customers the opportunity to subscribe to 
Sky Premium Channels without the need to subscribe to a “pack”. 
The way that we package the Sky Basic Channels and the Sky 

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Distributed Channels will change on 1 September 2011. From that 
date we will offer our customers two packages: “entertainment” 
and “entertainment extra”.

On our DTH platform, the Sky Premium Channels, the Sky Basic 
Channels (other than Sky News), Sky Box Office and the Sky 
Distributed Channels are encrypted in order to limit access to 
paying customers only.

virgin Media (“vM” – see “UK Cable’’ below) carries versions of the 
Sky Basic and Sky Premium Channels (including multiplex channels) 
on its cable systems. We have also entered into agreements with 
BT and Top Up Tv for carriage of Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 on 
their respective DTT services. We broadcast versions of three of 
the Sky Channels (Sky News, Challenge and Pick Tv) unencrypted 
free-to-air via DTT in the UK as part of the Freeview offering (see 
“DTT Distribution’’ below).

We also operate a high definition Tv (“HD”) service which consists 
of over 50 HD channels including five Sky Sports channels, 11 Sky 
Movies channels, Sky 1 HD, Sky Living HD, Sky Atlantic HD, two Sky 
Arts channels, Sky News HD, two Sky Box Office HD channels and 
30 HD channels provided by partner broadcasters.

Sky 3D offers entertainment and arts content as well as sport and 
movies to DTH customers with a 3D ready television. The channel is 
offered at no extra cost for DTH customers who subscribe to the 
Sky Premium Channels and HD pack.

We hold equity interests in ventures that own certain of the Sky 
Distributed Channels (including certain Premium Sky Distributed 
Channels) which are operated and distributed in the UK and Ireland 
(for the purposes of this report, any reference to the UK in relation 
to the distribution of the Sky Channels and Sky Distributed Channels 
includes the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) namely Attheraces, 
Nickelodeon, Nick Replay, Nicktoons, Nick Jr, Nick Jr2, Nicktoons Replay, 
Nickelodeon HD, National Geographic Channel, National Geographic 
HD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Wild HD, Chelsea Tv, MUTv, Comedy 
Central, Comedy Central extra, Comedy Central HD, The History 
Channel, Military History, The History Channel HD, Bio, Bio HD, MGM 
HD and Crime and Investigation Network HD. We also have a 33.33% 
equity interest in the venture operating the Sky News Australia 
Channel, which is based in Australia and have a 50% equity interest 
in the venture which has been established to operate a new channel, 
Sky News Arabia, which is due to be launched in Spring 2012.
PReMIUM CHANNeLS
Sky premium Channels
Sky movies Channels

Sky Movies features 9 channels of different genres divided into 
two packs:

Pack 1
Sky Movies Comedy
Sky Movies Family
Sky Movies Classics
Sky Movies Modern Greats
Sky Movies Drama & Romance

Pack 2
Sky Movies Action & Adventure
Sky Movies Crime & Thriller
Sky Movies Sci Fi & Horror
Sky Movies Indie
Sky Movies Comedy

The channels principally broadcast the output of recent theatrical 
movies and certain library movies (in respect of which we are 
typically granted exclusive UK and Ireland rights to broadcast 
during the relevant pay television window) by major Hollywood and 
independent US and european licensors.

DTH Customers and digital cable customers subscribing to both 
packs receive Sky Movies Premiere, Sky Movies Premiere +1 and Sky 
Movies Showcase and (in the case of DTH Customers only) Disney 
Cinemagic without additional charge. Sky Movies Premiere and Sky 
Movies Premiere +1 (a delayed multiplex of Sky Movies Premiere) 
exclusively show titles in their first run Tv windows (after the pay 
per view and video on demand windows). The movies are recent 
theatrical releases, including foreign film content. Sky Movies 
Premiere typically broadcasts five new films per week, and two 
films from the previous week every day for seven days.

each of the Sky Movies channels (other than Sky Movies 
Premiere +1) is also broadcast as an HD simulcast and such HD 
channels are available to DTH customers of our Sky+HD service 
who are entitled to the corresponding standard definition channel. 
DTH Customers who take both of the Sky Movies packs and the 
Sky+HD service receive MGM HD without additional charge.

There are also over 400 films available for Sky Movies customers 
to download from Sky Player and over 600 from Sky Anytime+ (see 
“Sky Anytime+” and “Sky Player” below).

Sky Sports Channels

The Sky Sports Channels currently are Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, 
Sky Sports 3, Sky Sports 4 and Sky Sports News. In addition, those 
channels are available in HD to DTH customers to our Sky+HD 
service who are entitled to the corresponding standard definition 
channel.

Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 3, Sky Sports 4 and Sky 
Sports News are all available online on Sky Player. Some content 
from those channels is also available on an on demand basis on 
Sky Player and Sky Anytime+.

In March 2006, the european Commission rendered legally binding 
the Premier League’s (“PL”) commitment to sell live Tv rights in six 
balanced packages, with no one bidder being allowed to buy all 
six packages. In February 2009, the Group successfully bid for five 
of those six available packages (each of 23 games) of live rights 
to Premier League football in the UK. These rights run from the 
beginning of the 2010/11 season to the end of the 2012/13 season.

In addition to those PL rights, our programming rights for the 
Sky Sports channels include exclusive live rights to broadcast, 
in the UK (and in most cases Ireland), a range of sport including 
a number of football, rugby union, rugby league, cricket, golf 
and tennis events. Those events include: (i) broadcast rights to 
npower Football League matches and the Carling Cup for the 

AnnuAl report 2011   
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2008/09 to 2014/15 domestic football seasons; (ii) broadcast rights 
to the UeFA Champions League up to and including the 2014/15 
season; (iii) exclusive live rights to england’s primary domestic 
cricket matches and all of england’s home test matches, one day 
internationals and Twenty20 internationals until 2013; (iv) live 
rights for the International Cricket Tours of India, Australia, South 
Africa and the West Indies from 2006 to 2012; (v) a number of 
rugby union matches including autumn international matches 
to 2015 and Aviva Premiership matches to 2013; (vi) exclusive live 
rights to the Heineken Cup and the Challenge Cup until 2014; (vii) 
exclusive rights to all Tri-Nations rugby union matches between 
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, plus all summer tours 
to these three countries made by england, Scotland, Wales and 
Ireland and exclusive rights to domestic competitions in those 
territories, including the Super Rugby Tournament and Currie Cup 
until December 2015; and (viii) exclusive live rights to the Ryder Cup, 
World Golf Championship and the PGA european Tour until 2012; and 
exclusive live rights to the PGA US Tour until 2017.

pay-per-view
Our Sky Box Office service currently offers our DTH Customers 
television premieres of movies and occasional live sports and other 
special events on a pay-per-view basis. We have acquired certain 
exclusive DTH rights from Hollywood and independent distributors, 
which enable us to show their movies on Sky Box Office. Sky Box 
Office HD offers at least 18 movies each week in HD on a pay-per-
view basis.
BASIC CHANNeLS
Sky Basic Channels
Sky 1, Sky Living and Sky Atlantic together offer Tv Customers access 
to a comprehensive range of subscription content that appeals to all 
ages and interests. Sky Atlantic was launched in February 2011 and, 
following Sky’s exclusive output deal with HBO and series deals with 
Lionsgate Television, is the exclusive destination for many of the 
most hotly anticipated shows in television. Sky 1 is targeted primarily 
at a 16-44 age group audience and includes UK-commissioned 
drama, factual and family entertainment series and major event 
programming in addition to first-run acquired US series. Sky Living 
is targeted primarily at female viewers. During this financial year the 
channel aired its first ever in-house drama commission, “Bedlam” 
which achieved a cumulative audience of just under one million 
viewers on its debut.

Sky 1, Sky Living and Sky Atlantic are simulcast in HD and are also 
available on Sky Player and content from the channels is available on 
an on demand basis from Sky Player and on Sky Anytime+.

Sky Living Loves and Sky Living It complete the Sky Living family 
of channels. Sky 2 broadcasts primarily a catch-up schedule 
of programming from Sky 1 and is complemented by Sky 1’s 
programming library and some exclusive content. 

Sky News provides national and international news to viewers in 
the UK, Ireland and across the globe. The channel is broadcast 
unencrypted on Astra satellites (see “Satellites’’ below), and 
distributed to viewers via cable and satellite networks in europe, 
Africa, the Middle east and Asia. It is also currently shown on most 

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
10

cable networks in the UK and Ireland and on DTT as part of the 
Freeview offering in the UK. Sky News is also available to viewers on 
the Sky News website and on Sky Player and Sky Mobile Tv.

Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts 1 HD provide contemporary arts and music 
oriented programming and documentaries. Sky Arts 2 and Sky Arts 2 
HD broadcast classical arts programming including opera, literature, 
theatre, cinema and dance. Both Sky Arts HD channels are available 
to all DTH customers to our Sky+HD service. Individual programmes 
are available on an on demand basis from Sky Player and on Sky 
Anytime+.

Sky Bet and SkyPoker.com are interactive television channels which 
currently broadcast on a 24-hour a day basis and are currently 
available to our DTH Customers.

Basic Sky Distributed Channels
Our agreements with the owners of the Sky Distributed Channels 
typically grant us the exclusive right to offer these channels to 
residential DTH Customers in the UK and Ireland. We act as an 
advertising sales representative for certain of the Sky Distributed 
Channels and for the other channels, the channel owners generally 
sell their own advertising time (see “Advertising and Sponsorship’’ 
below).
DISTRIBUTION
We distribute our programming services directly to DTH Customers 
through the packages described above. Wholesale subscribers, by 
contrast, contract with wholesale operators, who in turn acquire the 
rights to distribute certain of the Sky Channels from us, which they 
combine with other channels from third parties and distribute to 
their subscribers.

We also make certain of our channels available free-to-air via the UK 
DTT platform as part of the branded “freeview” offering.

Statistics
Distribution of Sky Channels
Tv homes
Wholesale homes(i)
Total Sky pay homes
DTT homes(ii)
notes:

Year ended 
30 June 
2011

Year ended 
30 June 
2010

10,187
4,382
14,569
10,100

9,860
4,312
14,172
10,100

(i) 

(ii) 

The number of wholesale homes includes distribution of our “Freeview” channels 
by wholesale operators as part of a “Free TV” pack bundled with other products.

The Digital Terrestrial Television (“DTT”) homes number consists of the UK Office 
of Communications’ (“Ofcom’s”) estimate of the number of homes where DTT is the 
only digital TV platform supplying services and includes Top Up TV DTT homes. The 
number of DTT homes for all periods disclosed above is based on Ofcom’s Digital 
Television Update published quarterly in arrears. Latest data available for the year 
ended 30 June 2011 is at 31 March 2011.

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On 31 March 2010, Ofcom published its decision to impose 
wholesale must-offer obligations on Sky (the “WMO Obligations”) 
for the channels Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 1 HD and 
Sky Sports 2 HD (the “Affected Channels”). This decision brought 
to an end Ofcom’s three year Pay Tv Investigation. In June 2010, 
Sky appealed Ofcom’s decision to the Competition Appeal Tribunal 
(“CAT”).

The WMO Obligations require Sky, amongst other things, to offer 
the Affected Channels on a wholesale basis to third parties which 
satisfy various minimum qualifying criteria (including financial, 
technical and security criteria).

The WMO Obligations specifies maximum prices that Sky may 
charge for Sky Sports 1 and/or Sky Sports 2. Under the WMO 
Obligations, the wholesale price is linked to Sky’s retail price.

The WMO Obligations do not specify a maximum price for Sky 
Sports 1 HD and/or Sky Sports 2 HD. Rather, Sky is required to offer 
these channels on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis.

In April 2010, Sky applied to the CAT for a suspension of the 
implementation of the WMO Obligations. On 29 April 2010, 
Sky’s application was resolved by way of an agreed Order from 
the President of the CAT. The terms of the Order result in the 
suspension of certain aspects of Ofcom’s decision, pending the 
outcome of Sky‘s substantive appeal. In summary, the effect of the 
Order is as follows:

●  Sky is required to offer the Affected Channels to each of BT, 

Top Up Tv and vM for distribution via Digital Terrestrial Tv and 
vM for distribution via cable. Other parties may apply to the 
CAT to be added to the list of persons to whom Sky is required 
to offer its channels.

● 

In the event that BT, Top Up Tv or vM enter into a distribution 
agreement for Sky Sports 1 and/or Sky Sports 2, the distributor 
is required to pay Sky the equivalent of the maximum price Sky 
may charge for the channel(s) under the WMO Obligations. The 
difference between that price and the rate card price set by 
Sky will be paid into escrow.

●  At the conclusion of Sky’s appeal, the CAT will determine the 

distribution of the monies held in escrow.

On 23 November 2010, the CAT made an agreed Order extending 
the implementation of the WMO Obligations to a company called 
ReAL Digital ePG Services Limited, in respect of distribution via 
DTH satellite.

On 1 June 2010, Sky submitted its appeal against Ofcom’s decision 
to impose the WMO Obligations on the following grounds:

●  Ofcom had no jurisdiction to adopt its decision under its 

sectoral powers;

●  Ofcom erred in finding that Sky acted on an incentive to 

withhold supply of the Channels;

●  Ofcom erred in its assessment of the impact and 
proportionality of the WMO Obligations; and

●  Ofcom acted unlawfully in imposing the WMO Obligations.

The appeal has now been heard at the CAT and judgment is 
awaited.

On 11 August 2010, Ofcom issued a decision that a term included in 
the agreement between Sky and Top Up Tv for the supply of Sky 
Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 to Top Up Tv on WMO terms breached 
the conditions of Sky’s broadcasting licences that implement 
the WMO Obligations (the ”WMO Conditions”). On 14 December 
2010, Ofcom issued a decision that a further term included in the 
same agreement between Sky and Top Up Tv breached the WMO 
Conditions. Sky submitted appeals against these two Ofcom 
decisions, on 11 October 2010 and 14 February 2011 respectively. 
The two appeals will be heard together at the CAT in the Autumn 
of 2011.

In August 2010 Ofcom announced its decision to refer the supply 
and acquisition of certain Pay-Tv movie rights and the supply and 
acquisition of Pay-Tv packages including certain movie channels 
to the Competition Commission (“CC”) for investigation. The CC’s 
provisional findings are due to be published in August 2011.

DtH distribution
As at 30 June 2011, the total number of Tv Customers in the UK 
and Ireland was 10,187,000, representing a net increase of 327,000 
customers in the fiscal year. Churn was 10.4% in fiscal 2011 (2010: 
10.3%). In fiscal 2011, we derived £5,455 million (83%) of our revenue 
from continuing operations from retail subscription revenue (2010: 
£4,761 million (83%)).

We also offer a number of our services, including our HD service, 
to commercial DTH customers in the UK and Ireland under a range 
of contracts. The types of contract, and the channels, which are 
available to any particular commercial customer depend primarily 
upon the type of business premises within which such customers 
wish to show our services. Our commercial DTH customers include 
offices, retail outlets, hotels, pubs and clubs. each such operator 
with a SMATv system is considered to be a single commercial DTH 
customer regardless of the number of points (e.g. rooms in a hotel) 
within the premises to which the television signal is distributed.

Digital satellite reception equipment
In order to receive our DTH service, customers are required to have 
a digital satellite system, which includes a satellite dish and LNB 
(low noise block converter), a digital satellite receiver (“set-top 
box’’), a smartcard (see “Technology and Infrastructure’’ below) 
and a remote control. We have in the past worked closely with 
selected manufacturers who have manufactured digital satellite 
receivers for us based on our specifications. We announced in 
January 2010 that our intentions were to source all our digital 
satellite receivers from our own manufacturing division and 
supplies from third party manufacturers ceased in May 2010. We 
work closely with a number of selected electronic manufacturing 
service suppliers.
We also offer a Sky+HD box. This is a set-top box that we have 
developed which contains two satellite tuners and an integrated 
PvR allowing programming to be recorded directly onto a hard-disk 
contained within the box. This enables DTH Customers to watch 
one live satellite programme (or a previously recorded programme) 

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while simultaneously recording another or to record simultaneously 
two programmes, to pause or rewind live television and to record 
automatically some series of programmes. Sky+ customers need a 
Sky+ subscription to use the Sky+ recording features of the Sky+ 
and Sky+HD box. DTH Customers receive the Sky+ subscription for 
free.
Customers with a Sky+HD box and an HD subscription receive a 
number of HD Channels which depends on the basic package to 
which they subscribe and the other premium channels they have 
chosen.
DTH Customers with a compatible Sky+ or Sky+HD box can also 
receive Sky Anytime Tv at no extra cost (see “Sky Anytime Tv” below).

We also offer our DTH Customers a multiroom subscription and the 
opportunity to purchase up to seven extra set-top boxes for use at 
the same residence as their original set-top box, which enables them 
to watch different satellite programmes in different rooms at the 
same time using just one satellite dish.

Both digital satellite reception equipment and subscriptions to 
our DTH services are offered by us directly and through a variety of 
retailers in both the UK and Ireland. We also provide installation and 
equipment repair services.
Sky Anytime+ and Sky Anytime tV
Sky Anytime Tv is an on demand service that provides access to 
selected programmes that are added each day with approximately 
30 hours of content available at any one time. viewers have seven 
days to watch programmes or store them on their Sky+ planner (see 
description of Sky+ in “Digital satellite reception equipment’’ above).
Sky Anytime+ was launched in October 2010. DTH Customers with 
certain Sky+ HD set-top boxes and Sky Broadband Unlimited or 
everyday Lite are able to connect to the Sky Broadband network to 
access an extensive on demand service, providing even more choice 
and control to complement Sky+ and the Sky Anytime Tv service. 
Once connected, DTH Customers have the opportunity to access 
an updating library of content which they can “pull” to their Tvs 
to watch whenever they like. DTH Customers can access content 
including over 600 films, popular entertainment and drama series, 
documentaries and the arts. As well as offering content from Sky 
Movies, Sky Sports, Sky Arts, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky News and 
Sky 1, the service – which comes at no extra charge for subscribers 
to the relevant channels – offers a wide range of programming from 
partner broadcasters. 

Sky Broadband
As at 30 June 2011, our broadband network covered almost 80% of 
UK households.

For homes covered by our broadband network, two different 
broadband products are available: Sky Broadband everyday Lite and 
Sky Broadband Unlimited. Both products offer a maximum speed 
of up to 20Mb download speeds (depending on location) and up to 
1.3Mb upload speeds. Sky Broadband everyday Lite is limited to a 
2GB monthly usage allowance, whereas Sky Broadband Unlimited 
has no limit on monthly usage.

We also offer Sky Broadband Connect to customers in the UK 
who are not within the coverage area of our broadband network. 
Sky Broadband Connect offers a maximum speed of up to 8 Mb 
download speeds (depending on location) and 40GB monthly usage.

Sky Broadband Unlimited is now available to customers who do not 
take a television service from Sky.

As part of a Sky Broadband subscription, we provide customers with 
a Wi-Fi capable DSL modem/router. We also offer installation and 
equipment repair and exchange services.

Sky talk
Sky Talk is a telephony service available to homes in the UK. Sky Talk 
Freetime offers customers free evening and weekend calls of up 
to an hour to UK landlines and Sky Talk Unlimited offers customers 
unlimited calls (for up to one hour per call) to UK landlines and 
unlimited calls to certain international destinations.

Sky Talk customers are also able to take their telephony line rental 
directly from Sky.

As with Sky Broadband Unlimited, Sky Talk is now available to 
customers who do not take a television service.

online
We own and operate a number of established websites including 
sky.com, skysports.com and sky.com/news. Sky’s full-service online 
portal encompasses e-mail and search to sit alongside skysports.
com and sky.com/news websites.

Sky also extended its commitment to protection of its customers 
by introducing the Sky Security Centre where users can obtain 
information and products relating to online security and protection.

itext and Sky Active
We offer our viewers enhanced and interactive services. We offer 
enhanced broadcast applications behind a number of Sky Channels, 
including Sky Movies, Sky Sports, Sky News and the interactive 
betting service available behind SkyPoker.com and Sky vegas. 
We offer interactive services which can be accessed whilst the 
programming on the channel to which the interactive service relates 
stays in view. We also offer certain interactive games and customer 
services.

Sky Betting and Gaming
The Group offers a range of betting and gaming services under 
the “Sky Bet’’, “Sky Poker’’, “Sky vegas’’ and “Sky Bingo’’ brands, in 
relation to which the Group acts as bookmaker and operator. The 
Sky Bet fixed odds sports betting service is licensed by the Alderney 
Gambling Control Commission and is available across multiple 
platforms, including by means of set-top boxes (including Sky+ and 
Sky+HD), by telephone and on the internet (including the mobile 
internet). Customers can also bet on virtual dog and horse racing on 
the Sky Bet channel. Sky’s gaming operations, which include poker, 
bingo and an online casino are also licensed in Alderney. The Group 
also continues to develop a range of popular games products on the 
internet (at www.skyvegas.com) through the Sky vegas 24/7 games 
service. In accordance with the licensing structure of transactional 
gambling channels introduced in June 2009 by Ofcom, the Sky 

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Poker and Sky vegas channels operate as teleshopping channels 
rather than as editorial channels. Sky Bingo was launched on the 
internet in December 2007. The gambling business is certified by 
the gambling charity GamCare and has in place stringent social 
responsibility measures for the protection of minors and other 
vulnerable people. We take active measures to prevent persons 
resident in the US participating in our internet gaming and betting 
services.

Digital subscriber line (“DSl’’); other fixed line 
distribution; and mobile networks
Sky player

Customers can access a range of entertainment, sports and 
movies content with Sky Player. This offers streamed content to 
any PC or Mac with internet access and a compatible operating 
system. The cost and availability of content depends on whether 
the customer is a DTH Customer and what DTH subscription 
package they have. Certain content is available on a pay-per-view 
and subscription basis.

Sky Player is also available on xbox and on Fetch Tv Smart Boxes.

Sky By wire

“Sky By Wire’’ refers to television services retailed directly by us 
over the fixed line networks of other operators in the UK and 
Ireland.

The most significant of these is TalkTalk Tv which distributes 
pay television services by means of the TalkTalk network. Under 
arrangements in respect of TalkTalk Tv, we have access to the 
TalkTalk Tv platform to enable us to retail certain of the Sky 
Premium Channels to customers who already subscribe to 
TalkTalk Tv services. In addition, we are provided with certain 
customer management, billing and sales agency services in 
respect of our customers receiving Sky Premium Channels via its 
platform. In return for these services, we pay a fixed monthly fee 
per subscriber who subscribes to a Sky Premium Channel on the 
TalkTalk Tv platform.

Sky Go and Sky mobile Applications

On 8 July 2011 Sky announced that, at no extra cost, DTH 
Customers can now watch live Tv on the move with the launch of 
Sky Go, a new service which has launched for laptops, PCs, Macs, 
iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

In addition we offer a range of Sky mobile applications including 
Sky Mobile Tv (for simultaneous coverage of Sky’s live sports 
channels), Sky+ to enable remote recording, Sky News for breaking 
news stories and video, Football and Cricket Score Centres and Sky 
Sports News for live scores and commentary. The applications are 
available on a range of compatible mobile handsets and across all 
mobile networks.

wholesale distribution
In fiscal 2011, we derived £323 million in revenues from continuing 
operations from the wholesale distribution of our channels (2010: 
£238 million).

uk Cable

vM provides both analogue and digital cable services across its 
cable systems and accounts for the majority of our wholesale 
revenue, which is revenue derived from the supply of Sky Channels 
to distributors on a wholesale basis for onward distribution to 
their subscribers.

Cable operators are able to offer their subscribers any choice 
or combination of the Sky Premium Channels pursuant to the 
terms on which we supply such channels. We negotiate separate 
commercial arrangements with each cable operator for the 
carriage of the Sky Basic Channels (see also “Distribution” above).

We have contracts with Smallworld, Newtel and Wightcable for 
their distribution of certain of the Sky Channels. These three 
regional cable operators operate the only other major pay Tv cable 
services outside the vM network, covering the Borders region, 
Jersey and the Isle of Wight respectively.

In addition, several of the Sky Channels are distributed on a 
number of narrowband cable networks. These are generally 
smaller cable operators that have limited channel capacity (when 
compared with digital satellite or digital cable) and accordingly do 
not generally carry all of the Sky Channels.

Ireland Cable

We currently have arrangements in place with UPC 
Communications Ireland Limited (“UPC’’) for the re-transmission of 
certain of the Sky Channels, including Sky Basic and Sky Premium 
Channels, to their subscribers. UPC operates both analogue and 
digital cable services in Ireland.

In addition, several of the Sky Channels are distributed on a 
number of local cable networks in Ireland. These are generally 
smaller cable operators that have limited channel capacity (when 
compared with digital satellite or digital cable) and accordingly do 
not generally carry all of the Sky Channels.

Dtt distribution

We currently broadcast versions of three of our channels, Sky 
News, Challenge and Pick Tv, unencrypted free-to-air via DTT 
in the UK. These channels are broadcast on a DTT multiplex for 
which the licence is held by Arqiva Services Limited (which owns 
and operates shared wireless communications and broadcast 
infrastructure).

The free-to-air channels broadcast via DTT by us, together with a 
number of other channels broadcast free-to-air via DTT by other 
broadcasters, are marketed to consumers under the generic brand 
“Freeview’’.

In June and July 2010 the Group entered into agreements 
providing for the carriage of Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 via DTT 
on BT vision’s Tv service and Top Up Tv’s service from August 
2010.

AnnuAl report 2011   
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Review of the business

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Free-to-view satellite proposition
We offer purchasers a freesat proposition with access to over 
270 free-to-view television and radio channels (including regional 
variants) and interactive services, without a monthly subscription 
fee. Consumers must purchase a package of digital satellite 
reception equipment, including a digital satellite smartcard and 
standard installation, to take advantage of this offering. The 
purchasers of this proposition are not obliged to subscribe to our 
pay television service; however, the proposition offers an easy 
upgrade path to our DTH pay television service.

Sky competes with a number of communications and entertainment 
companies to secure amongst other things a supply of content, for 
audiences for that content, for advertising sales and for customers 
to its Tv and other related services, broadband and telephony 
services (see “Principal risks and uncertainties” below). This 
competitive set can be categorised as follows:

●  competition from other video distributors and video distribution 

channels;

●  competition from broadband and telephony (fixed and mobile) 

providers;

●  competition from other television channels; and

●  competition from sellers of advertising air time.

In recent years, large parts of telecommunications network 
infrastructure have been upgraded from circuit-switched networks 
to packet-switched (“IP’’) networks. These IP networks are able to 
carry video content in addition to voice and other data and, together 
with the digitalisation of content, have facilitated a convergence 
between media and telecommunications companies.

This technical convergence has also increased the propensity for 
companies to offer a bundle of services to customers (typically, a 
“triple play’’ of broadband access, telephony and video content) as 
they seek to make efficient use of their networks.
TeCHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURe
We control access to some channels offered on our DTH service 
through the use of a conditional access system, videoGuard (see 
“encryption of digital services’’ below). The satellite reception 
equipment provided to DTH customers is owned by them, except for 
certain aspects such as the smartcard (a credit card size plastic card 
containing a chip that provides conditional access functionality), 
some of the software in all set-top boxes and a proportion of the 
hard drive capacity in some of the Sky+ PvRs and Sky+HD PvRs.

Following its acquisition of Amstrad in fiscal 2008, the Group 
designs, develops and sells SD and HD PvR set-top boxes.

Our set-top boxes use an ePG which has been and continues to be 
developed for us by NDS Limited (“NDS’’). Historically our set-top 
boxes have used an operating system licensed from OpenTv, Inc., 
however, earlier in this fiscal year we deployed a new operating 
system into our HD capable set-top boxes. This operating system 
was developed in conjunction with NDS under the project name 
Darwin, and supports the Sky Anytime+ service, as well as providing 
a significantly more flexible platform for the development of 
additional new features and functionality. HD capable set-top boxes 
with the new operating system include an emulator which allows 
them to continue to run applications developed for the OpenTv 
operating system. This continues to ensure the universal availability 
of enhanced services to all DTH set-top boxes. 

emerging forms of distribution
Through our Product Research Group we constantly evaluate 
new technologies and potential new forms of distribution for our 
services, such as Internet Protocol (“IP”) Television, emerging wireless 
technologies such as new variants of Wi-Fi and Wimax and the use 
of advanced spectrum technologies such as Software Defined 
Radio and the use of “white spaces” in broadcasting spectrum. As 
part of this evaluation work we may conduct various technical trials 
including trials involving selected groups of staff or customers.

We also participate actively in the Digital video Broadcasting 
(“DvB’’) standardisation group both in the various working groups 
and at the level of the DvB’s Steering Board, which gives us early 
exposure to other emerging technologies.
MARKeTING
The principal types of marketing used by us to promote our products 
and services are press (including both national and regional 
newspapers and magazines), media inserts, door drops, direct 
mailings, outdoor activity (such as billboards and bus backs), on-
air advertising on both national and regional radio and television 
channels (on both promotional and commercial airtime), outbound 
calling, online advertising on both third party websites and on sky.com, 
advertising in our customer magazine, point of sale advertising in retail 
outlets which sell our products and services and Sky retail stores.
ADveRTISING AND SPONSORSHIP
In fiscal 2011, we derived revenue from continuing operations of £458 
million from advertising sales and sponsorship (2010: £340 million).

We sell advertising for all of the Sky Channels (as well as for their 
multiplexes) around all programmes broadcast on these channels. 
We also act as the advertising sales representative for certain 
third party channels. We sell advertising time across all of the Sky 
Channels and third party channels represented by us, and tailor 
distribution according to the target audience an advertiser is trying 
to reach. We also sell advertising online.
COMPeTITION
Sky is a channel provider, a distributor of television services and a 
DTH (satellite) platform service provider. Sky also offers broadband 
and telephony services, as well as a range of other services including 
variants of video on demand (vOD) via the set-top box and online, 
games via both interactive Tv and the internet, and betting and 
gaming services via Tv, telephone and the internet.

AnnuAl report 2011     
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

encryption of digital services
We use videoGuard conditional access technology to encrypt and 
decrypt digital television and audio services and to control access 
to certain channels on our DTH platform. 

We use the videoGuard technology and distribute smartcards in 
the UK and Ireland under an agreement with NDS. NDS supplies 
smartcards and undertakes ongoing security development and 
other support services in return for the payment of fees by us.

In conjunction with NDS, we maintain a policy of refining and 
updating the videoGuard technology in order to restrict 
unauthorised DTH reception of our services. We take appropriate 
measures to counter the threats of unauthorised reception, 
including the implementation of over-the-air countermeasures 
altering authorised smartcards in a manner which then renders 
counterfeit smartcards obsolete and seeking legal remedies, both 
civil and criminal, reasonably available to us.

The second routine replacement of digital smartcards since our 
digital launch in 1998 was successfully completed last year. The 
new smartcards deployed include various additional counter-
piracy measures which provide us with an improved capability to 
counteract attempts to hack our system.

We constantly monitor and review other methods of piracy of our 
services that may be developed and where appropriate we deploy 
counter-measures to thwart such activities.

We believe that we have suffered a loss of wholesale cable revenue 
as a result of the availability of cable piracy devices (in relation 
to both analogue and digital cable television services). We are 
unable to quantify this loss, including whether or not such loss 
is material. We have not (to date) invoiced any cable operator in 
respect of such lost cable revenue and such lost revenue has not 
been recognised within our consolidated financial statements. 
During 2011, vM replaced its own smart cards with a more secure 
version and we believe this action will have significantly reduced 
the amount of cable piracy in the UK.

On DTT the provision of our Sky Sports 1 and 2 channels is 
protected by the encryption system deployed on behalf of Top Up 
Tv and BT.

encryption of channels retailed by third parties
Any potential DTH broadcaster wishing to operate and 
independently retail an encrypted television service within the 
UK and Ireland must either acquire an alternative encryption and 
conditional access technology from someone other than us, and 
build its own decoder base capable of receiving transmissions 
encrypted using that technology, or, in respect of digital services, 
contract with us for conditional access services in respect of 
access to the installed videoGuard decoder base.

In addition to providing broadcast conditional access services, 
both for our own DTH service and those of third parties, we 
provide digital access control services for interactive services 
produced by us and others, including using a telephone return 
path to carry out transactions between suppliers and viewers. 
These broadcast conditional access and access control services 
are regulated by Ofcom and require the Group to provide 

these services upon request and on fair, reasonable and non-
discriminatory terms. The Group is also required to provide 
ePG services to broadcasters on fair, reasonable and non-
discriminatory terms.

Satellites
We contract with SeS Astra for the majority of capacity on the 
satellite transponders that we use for digital transmissions for 
reception by both DTH Customers and cable operators. SeS 
Astra is 100% owned by SeS, a Luxembourg company listed on 
the Luxembourg Stock exchange and euronext Paris. We consider 
that this arrangement with SeS Astra, which is discussed below in 
further detail, is essential to the business of the Group within the 
meaning of section 417(5)(c) of the Companies Act 2006.

For the transmission of our DTH service, we have contracted for 
capacity on 32 transponders from SeS Astra on SeS satellites 
Astra 2A, 2B and 2D. We have also contracted, via an agreement 
with Arqiva, for capacity on five transponders on the eurobird 
satellite, which is owned and operated by eutelsat. In June 2009, 
we signed a long term transponder arrangement with SeS Astra 
which covers the renewal of the arrangements on 24 of our 
transponders. Those transponder agreements have expiry dates 
between 2019 and 2025 and thus provide long term security for 
the platform. As part of this arrangement we also entered into 
an inter-satellite back-up transponder agreement which provides 
protection for all of our transponders in the event of transponder 
or satellite failures.

In addition to using some of the transponder capacity that 
we have contracted to broadcast Sky Channels, some of our 
transponder capacity (and in some cases all of the capacity on a 
particular transponder) is sub-contracted to third parties for the 
transmission of other channels or services, including certain of the 
Sky Distributed Channels.

We have been designated a “non pre-emptible customer’’ under 
each of our transponder agreements. This means that, in the 
event of satellite or transponder malfunction, our use of these 
transponders cannot be suspended or terminated by SeS Astra or 
eutelsat in favour of another broadcaster with pre-emption rights 
in preference to us.

We have also put in place disaster recovery plans in the event 
that we experience any significant disruption of our transponder 
capacity. To date, we have not experienced any such significant 
disruption. However, the operation of both the Astra and eutelsat 
satellites is outside our control and a disruption of transmissions 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, depending 
on the number of transponders affected and the duration of the 
disruption.

Our transponder agreements with SeS Astra provide that our 
rights are subject to termination by SeS Astra in the event 
that SeS Astra’s franchise is withdrawn by the Luxembourg 
government.

Capital expenditure programme
We continue to invest consistently in capital expenditure required 
to support our growth strategies. Total capital expenditure, 

AnnuAl report 2011   
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

Review of the business

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excluding business combinations, for the Group was £425 million 
in 2011. This included investments in core services; information 
systems infrastructure; broadcast infrastructure; broadband and 
telephony infrastructure; new product development; property; and 
investments relating to customer service improvements.

Sky began broadcasting from its new state-of-the-art production 
facility (Sky Studios) on 4 July 2011. The Group’s total capital 
expenditure in relation to the Sky Studios project during the period 
to 30 June 2011 was £48 million. The Group expects to spend an 
additional £18 million in the period to 30 June 2012.

As is common with capital expenditure projects, there are risks that 
they may not be implemented as envisaged; or that they may not be 
completed either within the proposed timescale or budget; or that 
the anticipated business benefits of the projects may not be fully 
achieved.

the customer management centres and Sky In-Home 
Service limited
Our customer management centres are based in Scotland, 
Stockport, Sheffield, London and Leeds. We have announced that 
we are opening a new centre in Newcastle. The centres’ functions 
include the handling of orders from customers, the establishment 
and maintenance of customer accounts, invoicing and revenue 
collection, telemarketing and customer service. These functions 
permit the centres to play a key role in both customer acquisition 
and customer retention.

The customer management centres also support nationwide 
installation and servicing of digital satellite reception equipment 
directly in customer homes. The Group also provides an aftercare 
service to the DTH Customer base in relation to digital satellite 
reception equipment which is both in, and out of, warranty.

playout and uplink facilities
Our uplinking facilities, located in southern england, provide 
uplinking capacity for our digital services to the Astra 2A, 2B and 2D 
satellites as well as eutelsat’s eurobird 1 satellite.

Our television channels are distributed from two sites with each 
of the sites providing backup service for the other. The Osterley 
sourced channels are fed to the uplink sites using a fibre link, which 
is backed up by a diversely routed secondary link in the case of any 
malfunction in the primary fibre route. This route passes through 
the other facility so that, in the case of one facility being unavailable, 
the services can be uplinked directly from the other facility.

For those third parties to whom we sub-contract transponder 
capacity, we usually have agreements in place to provide uplinking 
facilities as well.
MINORITY eQUITY INveSTMeNTS
ItV
On 17 November 2006, the Group acquired 696 million shares in ITv 
plc (“ITv’’) representing 17.9% of the issued share capital of ITv, at a 
price of 135 pence per share. The total consideration paid amounted 
to £946 million.

On 8 February 2010 the Group announced that it had successfully 
placed a shareholding of approximately 10.4% in ITv in accordance 
with the final undertakings given by Sky to the Secretary of State 
for Business, Innovation and Skills relating to Sky’s investment in ITv. 
The placing by Sky of 404,362,095 ITv shares with Morgan Stanley 
Securities Limited at 48.5 pence per ITv share resulted in aggregate 
consideration of approximately £196 million.
SIGNIFICANT AGReeMeNTS
The Companies Act 2006 requires us to disclose the following 
significant agreements that take effect, alter or terminate on a 
change of control of the Company:

premier league
In 2009, British Sky Broadcasting Limited (a group subsidiary) 
entered into an agreement (the “PL Licence”) with The Premier 
League Limited (the “PL”), pursuant to which the Group was awarded 
five of six available packages of live audio-visual rights for Premier 
League football (the six packages are together the “Live Packages”).

The PL will not award all of the Live Packages to a single licensee 
(either on its own or as part of a consortium or through one or more 
of its related parties) (the “Single Buyer Rule”).

Pursuant to the PL Licence, the PL can suspend and/or terminate 
all of the rights which are included in, or exercisable as part of, one 
of the six available Live Packages in the event that a change of 
control of the Company occurs at any time prior to the expiry of the 
PL Licence which, if it had occurred prior to the award of the Live 
Packages to the Group, would have resulted in a breach of the Single 
Buyer Rule.

revolving Credit Facility
The Group has a £750 million syndicated revolving credit facility 
(“RCF”) with a maturity date of 30 July 2013.

There is an opportunity to request an extension of one or two 
further year(s) to the RCF, at the lenders’ discretion, with a potential 
final maturity of July 2015.

The lenders can require any amounts outstanding under the 
revolving credit facility to be repaid in the event of a change 
of control of the Company (other than in the event that News 
Corporation or any subsidiary or holding company thereof acquires 
such control).

news Corporation voting agreement
On 21 September 2005, the Company, BSkyB Holdco Inc., News UK 
Nominees Limited and News Corporation entered into a voting 
agreement, pursuant to which News UK Nominees Limited’s voting 
rights at any general meeting are capped at 37.19% (the “voting 
Agreement’’). The provisions of the voting Agreement cease to apply 
inter alia, on a change of control of the Company.

emtn bond issue
On 3 April 2007, the Group established a euro medium term note 
programme (the “eMTN Programme’’) which provides the Group with 
a standardised documentation platform to allow for senior debt 
issuance in the eurobond markets. The maximum potential issuance 
under the eMTN Programme is £1 billion.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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On 14 May 2007, the Company issued eurobonds consisting of 
£300 million guaranteed notes paying 6.000% interest and 
maturing on 14 May 2027 (the “Notes’’). The Notes were issued 
under the Group’s eMTN Programme.

Pursuant to the final terms attaching to the Notes, a holder of the 
Notes has the option to require the Company to redeem or (at 
the Company’s option) purchase its Notes at its principal amount 
plus interest for the relevant period if there is a change of control 
of the Company (i) which within 90 days of the change of control, 
if the Notes carry an investment grade credit rating, results in 
a downgrade to a non-investment grade rating or a withdrawal 
of that rating; or (ii) where, if the Notes carry a non-investment 
grade rating, results in a downgrade by one or more notches or a 
withdrawal of that non-investment grade rating; or (iii) where, if 
the Notes do not carry a credit rating, the Company does not seek 
such a rating or is unable to achieve such a rating, provided that in 
each case, the change of control is cited by the ratings agencies as 
being the rationale for the downgrade.

February 2008 and november 2008 bond issues
In February 2008, the Group entered into an indenture in respect 
of US$750 million 6.100% senior unsecured notes due 2018.

In November 2008, the Group entered into an indenture in respect 
of US$600 million 9.500% senior unsecured notes due 2018.

Pursuant to the final terms attaching to the securities, a holder of 
the securities has the option to require the Company to redeem 
or purchase its securities at a price equal to 101% of their principal 
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the date of 
repurchase, if there is a change of control of the Company (i) which, 
if the securities carry an investment grade credit rating, results in 
a downgrade to a non-investment grade rating or a withdrawal of 
that rating; or (ii) which, within 90 days of the change of control, 
if the securities carry a non-investment grade rating, results in 
a downgrade by one or more notches or a withdrawal of that 
non-investment grade rating; or (iii) where if the securities do not 
carry a credit rating, the Company does not seek such a rating or 
is unable to achieve such a rating, provided that in each case, the 
change of control is cited by the ratings agencies as being the 
rationale for the downgrade.

uk broadcasting licences
The Group is party to a number of Ofcom broadcasting licences for 
the broadcast of the Sky Channels.

The Broadcasting Act 1990 (as amended by the Broadcasting 
Act 1996 and the Communications Act) lays down a number 
of restrictions on those parties permitted to hold Ofcom 
broadcasting licences. Among those restricted from holding Ofcom 
broadcasting licences or from controlling a licensed company are 
(a) local authorities, (b) political bodies, (c) religious bodies, (d) any 
company controlled by any of the previous categories or by their 
officers or associates, (e) advertising agencies or any company 
controlled by such an agency or in which it holds more than a 5% 
interest. Ofcom also has a duty under the Broadcasting Acts to be 
satisfied that any person holding a broadcasting licence is fit and 
proper to hold those licences.

Licensees have an ongoing obligation to comply with these 
ownership restrictions. Failure by a licensee to do so (either by the 
licensee becoming a “disqualified person’’ or any change affecting 
the nature, characteristics or control of the licensee which would 
have precluded the original grant of the licence) may constitute a 
breach of the licence and, if not rectified, could result in revocation 
of the licence.

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

Review of the business

continued

CORPORATe ReSPONSIBILITY
The Bigger Picture is part of our approach to ensuring we are a 
responsible company, doing the right thing for all of our stakeholders 
– including our customers, people, suppliers, and the communities in 
which we live and work. It provides a framework for our activities in 
the UK and Ireland as well as for all of our operations. The key areas 
of the Bigger Picture are:

Operating responsibly and with regard to the needs of Sky’s 
stakeholders

Fundamental to our approach are our day to day activities as a 
business: ensuring we treat our suppliers fairly, providing a great 
place for our people to work, and making our products accessible 
to all our customers. Our business is large and dynamic so it is 
important that every one of our business decisions and activities 
is carried out with the interests and expectations of the Sky 
community in mind.

Fostering a culture of doing the right thing throughout the business

We communicate widely through the business the importance of 
taking responsibility for our actions and behaving responsibly, the 
implications for Sky and for every individual within their role, and where 
relevant, developing policies and processes to guide our activities.

Providing trustworthy products and services that can be consumed 
with minimum risk

We ensure that our products are delivered in a responsible way 
so that our customers can be certain that they can trust our 
programming and consume it with minimum risk. We are transparent 
about the way our Tv programming is produced, and provide options 
such as parental controls on our Tv platform and online.

Contributing positively to our communities

Sky’s recognisable brand, and our presence in over 10 million homes, 
provides us with a unique opportunity and responsibility to make a 
positive contribution to the communities in which we live and work. 
We focus our efforts in three areas where we believe we can make the 
most difference: environment, Sport and Arts. We regularly scrutinise 
our strategy to ensure our activities continue to be appropriate.

Involving our stakeholders

Sky has a large and diverse body of users and stakeholders, and 
we regularly seek views from them, to develop our thinking, make 
sure we are following expert advice, and meeting their expectations 
in evolving our strategy and activities. By working closely with our 
stakeholders we aim to encourage and promote engagement as a 
driver for improvement. 

We have a formal committee of the Board, the Bigger Picture 
Committee, which manages our approach, provides leadership and 
helps to drive corporate responsibility practices throughout the 
business. This committee meets at least twice a year and is chaired 
by Dame Gail Rebuck, one of our Non-executive Directors. Further 
details on the Bigger Picture Committee can be found on page 42.

To ensure the implementation of our strategy across the business, 
we have steering groups for environment, Cycling and Arts, and 
other groups are in place to oversee our sustainability policies, 
controls and processes. Our environment Steering Group (“eSG”) is 

led by our Chief executive, Jeremy Darroch, and includes executives 
from across the business. The group meets quarterly to review 
actions being undertaken by the business to reduce emissions, 
and progress against our targets. Our performance is driven by ten 
targets set out by the eSG in 2009, which focus on environmental 
improvements over the long-term. 

The Bigger Picture team manages our day to day work, collaborating 
with external partners, organisations, and colleagues across Sky 
to deliver our environment, Sport and Arts initiatives, and ensuring 
our sustainable business practices are acted upon throughout the 
Company.

We seek external views from all of our stakeholders to develop our 
thinking, make sure we are following expert advice, and meet our 
stakeholders’ expectations in evolving our strategy and activities. 
Our employees can provide input to our corporate strategy through 
the Sky Forum, which consists of around 80 employees elected by 
their colleagues. We have a regular dialogue with our most important 
stakeholders including our customers, suppliers, regulators, local 
communities, relevant non-governmental organisations and charity 
partners. This happens as part of our everyday business as well as 
through activities such as customer focus groups. 

To ensure we are following best practice in our sustainability 
activities, we are members of Business in the Community, The 
London Benchmarking Group, Media CSR Forum, The Media Trust 
and UK Corporate Leaders Group. We are active participants in the 
Carbon Disclosure Project, and the Forest Footprint Disclosure. 

Sky is included in the FTSe4Good, is accredited by the Carbon 
Trust Standard and is part of The Dow Jones Sustainability Index. 
We are also on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations list, 
have achieved Platinum in Business in the Community’s Corporate 
Responsibility Index and are proud holders of the Community Mark. 

Sky produces an annual Bigger Picture Review which provides full 
details of all corporate responsibility activities. The online review can 
be found at www.sky.com/thebiggerpicturereview2011.

Sky Day to Day
In our day to day operations we try to balance the responsibilities 
we have to our stakeholders and wider communities with our 
business priorities.

Customers
Our customers are critical to our success. We invest in content and 
innovative technologies to ensure that our Tv customers have the 
best viewing experience. We have promised to spend more than 
£600 million on original “home-grown” productions over the next 
three years on British programming. This year alone we expect 
to spend £380 million on UK commissioning, production and 
journalism, not including the purchase of sports rights. Through 
Sky News, we provide independent, impartial news coverage. As 
members of the Cultural Diversity Network, we try to increase the 
diversity of people seen in our programmes. This year we ran two 
programming weeks to celebrate diversity on screen, one focused on 
the lives of people with various disabilities, and the other celebrated 
International Women’s Day.

We look at every aspect of a customer’s relationship with us to 
identify ways of improving their experience and satisfaction – from 

AnnuAl report 2011     
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their interactions with our call centres and engineers to the 
products and services we offer. We established a formal Customer 
Compliance Committee, whose remit it will be to look into topics 
such as improving customer complaints handling and the sales 
process.

and broadcasting roles. Many more jobs are created through the 
scores of broadcasting, production and technology companies 
which are sustained by our investments. Sky’s entertainment 
channels alone worked with more than 100 independent 
producers in 2010/2011.

As a result of customer feedback, we are investing heavily in 
training our customer service teams to be multi-skilled so that 
they can resolve customer queries first time without needing 
to transfer to another operator. We recruited more specialist 
engineers so that we can send one of our own in-house trained 
engineers to over 95% of our customers who require a service visit. 
We also worked closely with our business partners to ensure our 
processes and communication styles are aligned, and that the 
quality of the service we offer is consistent. 

Our Accessible Customer Services team is specially trained to 
address the needs of customers with accessibility needs. We 
provide Audio Description and subtitling services well above what 
is required of us by law, because we think it’s important that all 
of our customers can access the programmes they want. This 
year we also launched Sky Talker for our customers who suffer 
sight problems. Sky Talker vocalises the search and scan banner, 
programme synopsis information and Sky+ functionality such as 
play, pause and rewind – making navigation easier and quicker.

Data protection is one of our core responsibilities. We manage 
customer privacy and data protection by having rigorous policies 
and clear lines of accountability. All Sky people are required to pass 
our online e-learning module on data protection and security, and 
all new employees have to successfully complete it within their 
first three months of joining. Information about our governance for 
data protection can be found on page 44.

We provide all of our broadband customers with free parental 
controls, and advice on how to protect themselves through the 
Sky Security website. On our Tv platform, we provide market-
leading parental control technology including the ability to set 
a watershed, age rating filters, restricting access to specific 
channels, and the ability to monitor spending on Sky Box Office. 
With on-going investment in video on demand products in 
2010/2011, we have also implemented new controls to protect 
customers on this platform. The Sky Child Safety Forum includes 
representatives from various departments and meets quarterly to 
facilitate a cross-functional approach to addressing the challenges 
of child safety, both on screen and online. 

Sky takes seriously the need to provide its services in a way 
that encourages responsible gambling. All of the Sky Betting 
and Gaming team receive regular training to ensure that they 
are equipped with the right knowledge and skills to meet our 
regulatory and social commitments. We have worked hard to 
ensure that Sky Bet, Sky vegas, Sky Poker and Sky Bingo have all 
been awarded a seal of approval from GamCare, an organisation 
that promotes responsible gambling, in recognition of the 
importance we place on delivering the highest industry-recognised 
standards for customer protection.

Suppliers
Through our investment in programming and innovation we make 
a significant contribution to the UK’s creative industry. This year, 
Sky directly employed around 2,500 people in skilled production 

We source products and services from thousands of suppliers 
around the world and use our influence to promote better social 
and environmental standards. We think that collaborative supplier 
relationships are the best way of obtaining the most value from 
those relationships. Our Responsible Sourcing Principles cover 
environmental and human rights issues, and it is the responsibility 
of our suppliers to meet these when working with Sky. We work 
with our most carbon intensive suppliers to help them measure 
their carbon footprint and reduce emissions through the Carbon 
Disclosure Project.

our people
The passion, hard work and enthusiasm of our people are what make 
Sky a success. We want to employ the very best people and help 
them perform to the best of their ability. We offer a range of schemes 
that allow young people to experience working for us, including two 
and three-year graduate programmes in a range of departments, 
apprenticeships in our engineering and customer service teams, as 
well as internships and workplace programmes in our entertainment, 
News and Sport teams. We provide extensive training and 
development opportunities for our people, and this year increased 
the amount of training provided, running more than 112,000 days of 
facilitated training, and in excess of 68,000 hours of e-learning.

We pride ourselves on having a culture which emphasises output 
and results rather than monitoring the time employees spend in 
the office. When possible, we support flexible work arrangements, 
and this year updated our remote-access technology to make 
it easier to work from home. We also changed our maternity pay 
policy: new mothers will now receive company maternity pay for six 
months, double the previous allowance, and we have halved the time 
employees need to have worked at Sky in order to be eligible from 
two years to one. We listen carefully to our employees’ feedback and 
ideas on our products and services, and how to make Sky an even 
better place to work, using our People Survey, and the Sky Forum. 

We take the safety and well-being of our staff very seriously. We 
have strong health and safety policies, and come up with engaging 
and interactive ways to communicate our health and safety 
messages. We run events throughout the year to help our people 
stay fit and healthy, including workshops, health assessments, and 
health treatments.

Our diversity strategy focuses on ensuring that Sky is open to 
anyone with talent and a good work ethic. Over the past two 
years, we have had a particular focus on ensuring that women 
and people from black and ethnic minority groups are fairly 
represented in leadership and management positions, and 
throughout the business. As members of the Cultural Diversity 
Network, which aims to improve diversity in the media both on 
and off screen, we provide mentorships for people from minority 
backgrounds to develop their careers in the media.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

Review of the business

continued

Community Action
Making a positive contribution in the communities where we work 
and where our customers live is important to us. We encourage Sky 
people to get involved, by taking part in our community initiatives 
to maximise the impact we make. As well as contributing to our 
communities through volunteering and fundraising, this gives our 
people the chance to learn new skills and knowledge and work 
together as a team.

Our employees can make tax-free donations to a charity of their 
choice directly from their salary and we give an extra 50p for every £1 
given. We also support employee fundraising with pound-for-pound 
matching, up to £300 if fundraising as an individual, or £1,000 if 
fundraising as part of a team of two or more Sky people. To encourage 
more of our people to take advantage of our payroll giving and match 
fundraising schemes, this year we improved our systems and ran 
promotional presentations highlighting the benefits. 

Sky people can also take 16 hours of paid time off a year to volunteer. 
We offer them a variety of volunteering opportunities linked to our 
priority areas of environment, Sport and Arts, as well as an “add your 
own” option, which enables individuals to volunteer for any charity of 
their choosing. This year, we worked to make it easier for Sky engineers 
to take advantage of volunteering opportunities, as well as heavily 
promoting opportunities to our customer service teams, and as a 
result have seen a healthy uptake of volunteering across the business.

Because we are a recognised and admired brand among young 
people, we have a unique opportunity to engage with schools in our 
communities. We offer bespoke support to local schools, as well 
as helping schools across the UK to develop their students’ social 
and academic skills through initiatives such as Sky Sports Living 
for Sport and the Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge. We 
also want to support future careers in the media, and have several 
programs that give young people insight into working in broadcast, 
media and journalism.

environment
Our environment strategy has two aims: to minimise our 
environmental impact and to inspire others to act with us to 
protect the environment. We have set ourselves ten challenging 
environment targets that span our operations, our products, 
working with our customers, involvement from our people, and 
engaging with our suppliers. Two of our targets are reproduced 
below and all ten targets, together with our performance against 
them, can be viewed in the Bigger Picture Review 2011.

performance against environment targets

We minimise Sky’s environmental impact in both our day to day 
operations and through the development of sustainable products 
and services. We are constantly working to reduce our operational 
and our products’ carbon footprint. We install technologies that 
improve the energy efficiency of our buildings such as cool beam 
technology air conditioning systems, solar powered and motion 
sensor controlled lighting, and smart meters which provide us with 
energy use information on a floor-by-floor basis. energy efficiency 
has been a key focus to the design of our new building, Sky Studios, 
which includes features such as extensive external solar shading, 
natural ventilation, and natural lighting. In addition, onsite renewable 
energy provides nearly half the energy requirements of Sky Studios. 
We have also been working hard to reduce our impacts resulting 
from business travel and our fleet, and to decrease the waste we 
send to landfill.

We look at the way our products are delivered to, and used by 
our customers, and find ways of making them more sustainable 
and energy efficient. For example, we have increased the energy 
efficiency of our Sky+HD box by 29% from the previous model, 
and we have upgraded our Auto Standby software so that it 
switches inactive boxes to a standby state during the day as well 
as overnight. We also put an off switch on the front of new boxes 
to turn the device completely off. These changes are saving around 
90,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, as well as saving £20 million a year for 
our customers. Our satellite dishes are now made from recycled car 
parts, and we have reduced packaging and removed excess cables 
and printed user guides, which are now available online.

As part of measuring our impact, our environmental performance 
data is independently assured by environmental Resources 
Management. We audit our carbon footprint data each year, using 
the results to map out which areas to focus on to achieve the 
greatest reduction in our emissions. In addition, there are a number 
of environmental regulations that apply to Sky’s business. Sky 
remains compliant with these regulations and, where possible, seeks 
to show best practice by going beyond the minimum requirements. 

The table below illustrates our progress in reducing gross CO2 
emissions in order to minimise our environmental impact.

2008/09

2009/10

2010/11

108,949

112,565

113,089

Total Gross CO2e emissions 
(tCO2e) (i) (ii)
(i) 

tCO2e emissions include emissions from premises, company-owned vehicles and 
refrigerant useage.

(ii)  

emissions have been re-baselined to exclude Easynet which was sold in September 
2010 .

25% reduction in gross CO2 
emissions by 2020(ii) (iii)

Percentage reduction in total 
energy consumption of newly 
installed Sky+HD boxes by 2012
(i) 

performance relative to base year 2008/09.

Target

2009/10(i)

2010/11(i)

-25%

-7%

-19%

30%

29%

29%

Our absolute gross emissions have risen by only 0.46% this year 
compared to last year despite Sky growing as a business. In relation 
to our target set against our 2008/09 baseline, this represents a 
19% reduction in CO2e emissions per £m turnover. This shows great 
progress and we plan to maintain this drive as our company grows in 
order to meet our target by 2020.

We think it’s important that as a company with knowledge of 
measuring and reducing our emissions and environmental impacts, 
we share this knowledge with others to help them reduce their 

(ii)  

(iii)  

target is to reduce 25% gross CO2e emissions per £m/turnover. 
emissions have been re-baselined to exclude Easynet which was sold in September 
2010 .

AnnuAl report 2011     
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impacts too. As a member of the BAFTA Sustainability Action 
Group, we have been working with other leading broadcast 
companies to understand the carbon emissions associated 
specifically with Tv and media production. We are also working 
with Global Action Plan and Ravensbourne College to provide 
workshops for small and medium sized production companies and 
freelancers on how to reduce the carbon emissions associated 
with their day-to-day activities.

In order to inspire others to take action to protect the 
environment, we have continued our partnership with WWF. 
Through Sky Rainforest Rescue, we are involving our staff and 
our customers in our campaign to help save one billion trees in 
the Amazon rainforest by raising £2 million by 2012, which Sky will 
match pound-for-pound to reach a total of £4 million. In 2010/2011 
we have reached a fundraising total of £1 million and have over 
23,000 supporters. We have also been working in partnership 
with WWF and the Acre State Government in Brazil ensuring the 
future protection of the rainforest – helping develop a new law 
that aims to ensure that the rainforest is worth more alive than 
dead. The System of Incentives for environmental Services (SISA) 
became law in October 2010 and provides the structure, authority 
and appropriate governance for the state to enable economic 
incentives to protect the rainforest.

During the last year we dedicated two weeks of programming to 
raise our viewers’ awareness of the importance of protecting the 
environment and the rainforest, and encouraged them to take 
action. In November we featured Natural World week, and in April, 
Rainforest Week. As part of this campaign, Sky 1 commissioned 
Rooftop Rainforest, which charted urban ecologist Dusty Gedge’s 
ambitious project to construct an indoor rainforest on top of 
the Westfield London shopping centre, and aired as a two-part 
documentary on Sky 1. Over the following week 4,000 members of 
the public visited the project, including nearly 200 schoolchildren 
from six schools.  

Sport
Sport has always been at the heart of what we do at Sky. Over 
the past two decades, we have provided Sport fans with access 
to an unprecedented depth and breadth of sports coverage. Our 
multi-billion pound investment has helped develop the talent and 
infrastructure of British sport from its grass roots to the elite level. 
More investment and exposure means better facilities, training 
and equipment, motivates new talent, and provides a better 
experience for players and viewers alike. 

We want to inspire our customers to take part as well as watch. 
Sport has the power to change lives, so we try to engage people in 
sport at all levels. 

This was our eighth year of the Sky Sports Living for Sport 
initiative, which provides secondary schools with resources to 
motivate and inspire young people through sport. As of the end 
of June 2011, over 1,500 schools and to date 33,000 young people 
have taken part. This year, we conducted extensive research on 
the impact of the initiative looking back at participation over 
the last five years. We found that 88% of participants showed 
improvements in self-confidence, 83% showed improvements in 

attitudes to learning, and 70% demonstrated health and wellbeing 
benefits. In addition, participants achieved 14% higher than the 
national average in their english exams, and 4% higher than the 
national average in Maths.

In 2006 we teamed up with the england and Wales Cricket Board 
(“eCB”) to set up the Sky Sports eCB Coach education Programme. 
The programme is designed to equip cricket coaches with the 
necessary skills to deliver high quality coaching at all levels of the 
game, ensuring the success of the sport with a new generation of 
players. This year, more than 10,000 new coaches have graduated, 
bringing the total amount of coaches educated by the programme 
to 33,000, surpassing our initial 30,000 goal. We focused more on 
female coaches this year, and asked the england Women’s team 
and their coaches to take an active part in the programme.

This is our third year in partnership with the British Cycling 
Federation, the governing body for cycling in the UK. The overall 
goal of our partnership is to get one million more people cycling 
regularly by 2013. We are supporting the sport at every level – from 
the elite GB team and Team Sky, our own professional road cycling 
team which aims to have the first British winner of the Tour de 
France by 2013, to grassroots activities for recreational cyclists. 

Our second year of Sky Ride mass participation cycling events saw 
us holding 12 events on traffic-free streets in 10 cities, providing 
a fun environment for people of all ages and abilities to cycle 
safely with their friends and family. Over 200,000 people took 
part this year. In each Sky Ride city we also delivered a programme 
of Sky Ride Locals – free, weekly led cycle rides by British Cycling 
trained ride leaders, which capture the enthusiasm created by 
the city events and offer a way for people to keep cycling. Riders 
can pick a level to suit their age and ability giving them a chance 
to improve confidence levels. In 2010, over 500 local rides took 
place, attracting over 11,000 participants. Since the launch of our 
partnership in 2009, 376,000 people have been encouraged to 
become regular cyclists (cycling on average at least once a month) 
as a result of our initiatives.

Arts
Many of our customers are passionate about the arts, so we 
provide them with the UK’s only group of channels dedicated solely 
to the arts, broadcasting more hours of arts programming than 
anyone else, and investing in bold, original productions. We also 
want to develop new passions by bringing the arts to more people 
– on air, online and on the ground, and giving them the opportunity 
to experience culture in new ways.

Innovative arts partnerships are crucial to the vitality of the arts 
scene across the UK and Ireland, that’s why we have launched the 
Sky Arts Ignition Series partnering with and investing in leading 
arts organisations to create innovative works. For each of the 
chosen projects, Sky Arts will provide cash investment of up to 
£200,000 and work with the arts partners to bring their projects 
to a wider audience on-air, on demand, online and on the ground. 
The Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund offers bursaries of £30,000 
each as well as mentoring by Sky employees to emerging artists to 
bridge the gap from training to working artist. 

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

Review of the business

continued

We support some of the most prestigious arts festivals and events 
with investment that contributes to the cultural landscape, and we 
also broadcast highlights in order to bring the experience to those 
people who couldn’t attend. Since 2007, Sky Arts has been the 
broadcast sponsor of the Telegraph Hay Festival, one of the largest 
literary festivals in the world. This year, we broadcast four special 
editions of The Book Show from The Sky Arts Studio, and a further 
20 festival sessions and debates. On the ground in our Sky Arts Den, 
over 28,000 festival-goers relaxed and enjoyed free performances 
and workshops. 

encouraged by the success of The Book Show from the Hay 
Festival, this year we decided to take The Book Show on the road 
to four more leading literary festivals – the Cheltenham Literature 
Festival, the Bath Literature Festival, Words by the Water Festival in 
Cumbria, and the Dublin Writers’ Festival. We also broadcast from 
and support other festivals across the country, and we are now the 
largest broadcaster of music festivals in the UK, covering 13 festivals 
over the summer. This year, we also supported the South Bank Sky 
Arts Awards for the first time, after the show’s previous funding 
partner pulled out.

We want to open up the arts to people who may not otherwise 
engage with it, and to ensure that artists and arts organisations 
have the funding and support that they need to offer 
groundbreaking art to the public. Through our seven-year 
partnership with english National Ballet, we made ballet more 
accessible to new audiences by bringing it to them in innovative 
ways on screen, offering affordable tickets to performances, and 
providing free classes for school children.

In the second and final year of our partnership with Artichoke, the 
UK’s leading public art producers, three major projects took place. 
The Sky Arts Artichoke Salon Series, in association with Tate, was 
a series of three public debates centred on the nature and use of 
public space, attended by over 700 members of the public. Our 
second major project was “The Magical Menagerie”, a giant carnival 
roundabout installed at the Milton Keynes International Festival. 
Finally, “Dining with Alice”, an eccentric theatrical show inspired by 
the Mad Hatter’s tea party from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, 
took place over a four course outdoor victorian dinner in Norfolk. 
Over the course of the year, we engaged over 30,000 people 
through these events, contributing to our goal of broadening access 
to arts and culture across the country.

A lot of great art work is happening across the country by 
organisations which don’t normally receive national exposure. 
By partnering with up to 18 regional arts organisations across 
the UK through our Sky Arts At programme, we aim to bring the 
best regional arts content to our viewers, and support local arts 
communities by raising their profile. For each of our partnerships, 
we produce behind-the-scenes documentaries which are aired on 
Sky Arts channels as well as online, where they are available to view 
free to anyone. Our partnerships this year have included the Dublin 
Theatre Festival, Frank Zappa festival at The Roundhouse, The Royal 
Court, Rambert Dance Company and Museums at Night. 

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
22

PeOPLe
organisation
Over the past year, we have continued in our efforts to make Sky a 
great place to work. We have placed particular focus on leadership 
capability, looking both at our leaders of today and our future 
leaders. The average number of full time equivalent persons 
employed by the group during the year was 16,006.

leadership & Collaboration
We have articulated 6 Sky Behaviours that we believe are vital for 
our leaders to embrace to help us grow our business. These are: 
Clear Direction, Doing the Right Thing, Feedback & Development, 
Change & Improvement, Teamwork & Collaboration and 
empowerment.

Over 200 of our most senior leaders have received detailed 
individual feedback on their leadership style and have been 
given support in their development against these through a 
variety of means including coaching, workshops and events. The 
Sky Behaviours are built into our leadership and management 
programmes at all levels and our leaders are measured against them 
in their performance reviews.

We have also run comprehensive development programmes for 
the leaders in our contact centres to ensure they are equipped 
to motivate and manage their teams to deliver the best possible 
customer service. Approximately 750 leaders have received specific 
management training.

managing and developing our people

Building our capability

With our people at the heart of everything we do, making 
sure everyone has the right skills to do their jobs is vital. Our 
Development Studio offers a wide range of resources that enable 
everyone in the company to have access to the latest e-learning, 
MP3 downloads, books and courses. Over 112,000 days of 
development have been logged this year alone. In addition we have 
carried out over 600,000 hours of training in our contact centres 
covering approximately 4,500 employees. This has been across a 
range of subjects including multi-skilling. The effectiveness of the 
training is tracked by testing individuals pre and post training.

Creating opportunities for all

There is a specific focus on succession planning and creating career 
development opportunities for employees with regular meetings 
with the senior executive team to plan internal mobility and cross 
functional moves.

We believe in attracting and nurturing future talent to support 
our growth so we have continued to develop our future talent 
programme. This year it has continued to go from strength to 
strength. Our future talent programme focuses on developing 
students still in education, school leavers and graduates.

This year we increased our graduate intake by 40% and will be 
providing a new centralised graduate development programme 
aimed at building the leaders of tomorrow. In addition to this our 
newly launched “Software Academy” provides opportunities for 

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graduate programmers to join the technology team, to make an 
immediate contribution to some of our most strategic software 
development programmes.

For school leavers we offer an Apprenticeship scheme which we 
are continuing to expand, doubling the size of our intake and a 
tailor-made programme called “Fast Forward” in the entertainment 
side of our business.

Work placement opportunities also provide an opportunity for Sky 
to contribute to the development and experience of young people. 
Across the business this year we have increased the number of 
opportunities with approximately 400 placements being offered 
in the past year.

Sky is an equal opportunities employer and we believe that 
everyone should have full and fair consideration for all vacancies, 
promotions, training and development. Should an employee 
become disabled during their employment with the Company, 
where possible, we will actively re-train and adjust their 
environment to allow them to maximise their potential. Over the 
course of the year, we have partnered with various not-for-profit 
organisations with the aim of providing more opportunities for 
people with disabilities.

employee engagement
We developed a new employee engagement survey this year to 
enable us to benchmark ourselves against other UK companies 
and specifically against high-performing companies.

The proportion of our people participating in the survey was 
extremely high compared with external benchmarks and showed a 
high level of employee engagement.

As well as reaching a high performance indicator for employee 
engagement (90%) we also learnt that compared to other 
high-performing companies, we perform exceptionally well 
in the categories of reward and recognition, corporate social 
responsibility, performance and development. Benchmarking 
has also helped us prioritise activity in support of our overall 
employment proposition. We have recently introduced more 
frequent “pulse” surveys, sampling a smaller proportion of 
employees throughout the year to allow us to continuously 
monitor the organisation so we can keep in touch with employees’ 
views all year round.

The following are key performance indicators that we derive from 
the results of our surveys:

Statement 
“I fully support Sky’s strategy and goals”  
“I understand how my job contributes to 
and supports the success of Sky” 
“I am willing to go the extra mile to help 
Sky succeed” 

% of employees who 
agree with the statement
87%

91%

93%

Having open and transparent communications throughout the 
business is important to us. Our Sky Forum plays a significant role 
in this. The Sky Forum is a team of 80 employee representatives 
from across the business. They meet several times a year to 

discuss a wide range of business issues and to provide input that 
helps Sky to continuously innovate and improve the way that we 
do things. The national meetings are attended by the most senior 
executives of the Company.

This year the role of the Forum has evolved and it is now more 
engaged in working through and helping resolve issues or implement 
ideas rather than just bringing them to our attention.

Diversity
We are starting to reap the fruits of the diversity strategy 
introduced last year with a focus on increasing representation of 
women and people from Black and Minority ethnic (BAMe) groups 
in leadership and management positions. There have been a 
number of initiatives in support of the strategy, including evolving 
our Senior Women’s Development Network, significantly enhancing 
our maternity benefits and partnering with various not-for-profit 
organisations in support of the recruitment of BAMe applicants 
into Sky. We were delighted when our efforts were recognised 
by our placement in the respected Times Top 50 employers for 
Women awards.

reward and recognition
We continue to provide a generous benefits package to all our 
people and to benchmark pay against relevant industry norms to 
ensure that our reward practices are meeting the evolving needs 
of the business.

Our various recognition schemes ensure that our people are 
recognised for outstanding contribution to the business. The 
contribution of all our people to hitting our long-term company 
objective of reaching 10 million customers was acknowledged in a 
bumper Christmas gift as well as enhancing our annual Sky Fest 
(2 day summer festival) activities available to all employees 
and their friends and families. Feedback from our people was 
overwhelmingly positive.

Health, Safety & wellbeing
The health, safety and wellbeing of all our people are of paramount 
importance to us: wherever and whenever they work for us and 
whatever they are doing.

We take a holistic approach to keeping Sky a safe place to work, 
so whilst accident prevention and safety training is important, the 
long-term wellbeing of our people is equally important.

Our Occupational Health service supports our people to stay 
productive with a range of support and facilities to help keep 
people healthy and happy. enhancements this year include an 
upgrade to our on-site gym facilities in Osterley, as well as a 
new deal offering significant discounts for other gyms for shift-
workers who may find it more difficult to access fitness facilities. In 
addition, on-site complementary therapies have been introduced 
at some of our sites.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

Principal risks and uncertainties

This section describes the principal risks and uncertainties that could have a material adverse effect on the Group’s business, financial 
condition, prospects, liquidity or results of operations. These should be read in conjunction with our long-term operating targets, which 
are set out in “Financial and operating review – Trends and other information”. Additional risks and uncertainties of which we are not 
aware or which we currently believe are immaterial may also adversely affect our business, financial condition, prospects, liquidity or 
results of operations.

The Group has a formal risk management policy that is used by the business to identify and record risks. These are consolidated 
into a Group risk register which is formally presented to the Audit Committee twice a year. The Group manages its principal risks and 
uncertainties as follows:

Principal risks and uncertainties (further detail is provided below)

Managing the principal risks and uncertainties

The Group’s business is heavily regulated and changes in regulations, 
changes in interpretation of existing regulations or failure to obtain 
required regulatory approvals or licences could adversely affect the 
Group’s ability to operate or compete effectively.

We manage these risks through active engagement in the regulatory 
processes that affect the Group’s business. We actively seek to identify 
and meet our regulatory obligations and to respond to emerging 
requirements.

The Group operates in a highly competitive environment that is subject 
to rapid change and it must continue to invest and adapt to remain 
competitive.

We manage these risks by maintaining the quality of our products, 
investing in new products and developing new processes to meet the 
needs of the business and our customers. 

The Group’s business is reliant on technology which is subject to the risk 
of failure, change and development.

The Group is reliant on encryption and other technologies to restrict 
unauthorised access to its services.

We manage our technology risks through the establishment of strong 
IT policies and operational controls together with appropriate security 
measures and disaster recovery for our key systems. 

We manage these risks through a combination of physical and logical 
controls. Additionally we monitor the security of the encryption systems 
used to protect our services.

Failure of key suppliers could affect the Group’s ability to operate its 
business.

We manage these risks by ensuring we have a strong supplier selection 
process with appropriate ongoing management and monitoring.

The Group undertakes significant capital expenditure projects, including 
technology and property projects.

There is a formal project methodology that we use to manage, monitor 
and control our major capital expenditure projects.

The Group, in common with other service providers relies on intellectual 
property and proprietary rights, including in respect of programming 
content, which may not be adequately protected under current laws or 
which may be subject to unauthorised use.

The Group generates wholesale revenue principally from one customer.

The Group is subject to a number of medium and long-term obligations.

We manage these risks through an ongoing programme to support 
appropriate protections of our intellectual property and other rights.

Our supply arrangements with vM (our principal customer) are 
generally multi-year agreements. We have a number of other wholesale 
arrangements in respect of our channels including those to distribute 
Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 via DTT with BT and Top up Tv.

We manage these risks by tracking and recording our medium and long 
term obligations.

the Group’s business is heavily regulated and changes in regulations, 
changes in interpretation of existing regulations or failure to obtain 
required regulatory approvals or licences could adversely affect the 
Group’s ability to operate or compete effectively.

The Group is subject to regulation primarily under UK and 
european Union legislation and it is currently and may be in the 
future subject to proceedings, and/or investigation and enquiries 
from regulatory authorities. The regimes which affect the Group’s 
business include broadcasting, telecommunications, competition 
(antitrust), gambling and taxation laws and regulations. Relevant 
authorities may introduce additional or new regulations applicable 
to the Group’s business. The Group’s business and business 
prospects could be adversely affected by the introduction of 
new laws, policies or regulations or changes in the interpretation 
or application of existing laws, policies and regulations. Changes 
in regulations relating to one or more of licensing requirements, 

access requirements, programming transmission and spectrum 
specifications, consumer protection, taxation, or other aspects of 
the Group’s business, or that of any of the Group’s competitors, 
could have a material adverse effect on the Group’s business  
and/or the results of its operations.

The Group cannot be certain that it will succeed in obtaining or 
retaining all requisite approvals and licences in the future for its 
operations without the imposition of restrictions which may have 
an adverse consequence to the Group, or that compliance issues 
will not be raised in respect of the Group’s operations, including 
those conducted prior to the date of this filing.

On 31 March 2010, Ofcom published its decision to impose on 
Sky WMO Obligations for the channels Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, 
Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports 2 HD (the “Affected Channels”). 
This decision brought to an end Ofcom’s three year Pay Tv 

AnnuAl report 2011     
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Investigation. In June 2010, Sky appealed Ofcom’s decision to 
the  CAT.

The WMO Obligations require Sky, amongst other things, to offer, 
the Affected Channels on a wholesale basis, to third parties which 
satisfy various minimum qualifying criteria (including financial, 
technical and security criteria).

The WMO Obligations specifies maximum prices that Sky may charge 
for Sky Sports 1 and/or Sky Sports 2. Under the WMO Obligations, 
the wholesale price is linked to Sky’s retail price.

The WMO Obligations do not specify a maximum price for Sky Sports 
1 HD and/or Sky Sports 2 HD. Rather, Sky is required to offer these 
channels on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis.

In April 2010, Sky applied to the CAT for a suspension of the 
implementation of the WMO Obligations. On 29 April 2010, Sky’s 
application was resolved by way of an agreed Order from the 
President of the CAT. The terms of the Order result in the suspension 
of certain aspects of Ofcom’s decision pending the outcome of Sky‘s 
substantive appeal. In summary, the effect of the Order is as follows:

●  Sky is required to offer the Affected Channels to each of BT, Top 
Up Tv and vM for distribution via Digital Terrestrial Tv and virgin 
Media for distribution via cable. Other parties may apply to the 
CAT to be added to the list of persons to whom Sky is required 
to offer its channels.

● 

In the event that BT, Top Up Tv or vM enter into a distribution 
agreement for Sky Sports 1 and/or Sky Sports 2, the distributor 
is required to pay Sky the equivalent of the maximum price Sky 
may charge for the channel(s) under the WMO Obligations. The 
difference between that price and the rate card price set by Sky 
will be paid into escrow.

●  At the conclusion of Sky’s appeal, the CAT will determine the 

distribution of the monies held in escrow.

On 23 November 2010, the CAT made an agreed Order extending 
the implementation of the WMO Obligations to a company called 
ReAL Digital ePG Services Limited, in respect of distribution via DTH 
satellite.

On 1 June 2010, Sky submitted its appeal against Ofcom’s decision 
to impose the WMO Obligations on the following grounds:

●  Ofcom had no jurisdiction to adopt its decision under its 

sectoral powers;

●  Ofcom erred in finding that Sky acted on an incentive to 

withhold supply of the Channels;

●  Ofcom erred in its assessment of the impact and proportionality 

of the WMO Obligations; and

●  Ofcom acted unlawfully in imposing the WMO Obligations.

The appeal has now been heard at the CAT and judgment is awaited.

On 11 August 2010, Ofcom issued a decision that a term included in 
the agreement between Sky and Top Up Tv for the supply of Sky 
Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 to Top Up Tv on WMO terms breached 
the conditions of Sky’s broadcasting licences that implement the 
WMO Obligations (the ”WMO Conditions”). On 14 December 2010, 
Ofcom issued a decision that a further term included in the same 

agreement between Sky and Top Up Tv similarly breached the 
WMO Conditions. Sky submitted appeals against these two Ofcom 
decisions, on 11 October 2010 and 14 February 2011 respectively. The 
two appeals will be heard together at the CAT in the Autumn of 2011.

In August 2010 Ofcom announced its decision to refer the supply 
and acquisition of certain Pay-Tv movie rights and the supply and 
acquisition of Pay-Tv packages including certain movie channels 
to the Competition Commission (“CC”) for investigation. The CC’s 
provisional findings are due to be published in August 2011.

On 8 July 2011 Ofcom wrote to the Chairman of the House of 
Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee to highlight its duty 
to be satisfied that any person (including controlling directors and 
shareholders) holding a broadcasting licence is fit and proper to 
hold that licence and to indicate that it would be monitoring the 
phone hacking investigations in relation to News Corporation (the 
Group’s largest shareholder) and keeping abreast of the timescales 
of those investigations and any further information that may assist 
it in the discharge of its duties.

The Group is not yet able to assess whether, or the extent to which, 
these matters will have a material effect on the Group.

the Group operates in a highly competitive environment that is 
subject to rapid change and it must continue to invest and adapt 
to remain competitive.

The Group faces competition from a broad range of companies 
engaged in communications and entertainment services, including 
cable operators, DSL providers, service providers making use of new 
fibre optic networks (“fibre”), other DTH providers, digital terrestrial 
television providers, telecommunications providers, internet service 
providers, content aggregators, home entertainment products 
companies, betting and gaming companies, companies developing 
new technologies, and other suppliers and retailers of news, 
information, sports and entertainment that deliver service over-
the-top, as well as other providers of internet services. The Group’s 
competitors increasingly include communication and entertainment 
providers that are offering services beyond those with which 
they have traditionally been associated, either through engaging 
in new areas or by reason of the convergence of the means of 
delivery of communication and entertainment services. The Group’s 
competitors include organisations which are publicly funded, in 
whole or in part, and which fulfil a public service broadcasting 
mandate. A change to such mandate could lead to an increase in 
the strength of competition from these organisations. Although the 
Group has continued to develop its services through technological 
innovation and by licensing, acquiring and producing a broad range 
of content, the Group cannot predict with certainty the changes 
that may occur in the future which may affect the competitiveness 
of its businesses. In particular, the means of delivering various of 
the Group’s (and/or competing) services may be subject to rapid 
technological change. The Group’s competitors’ positions may be 
strengthened by an increase in the capacity of, or developments in, 
the means of delivery which they use to provide their services or by 
the imposition of regulation or by changes in customer preferences 
and behaviour.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

Principal risks and uncertainties

continued

The Group’s advertising revenue depends on certain external 
factors which include the overall value of advertising placed with 
broadcasters by third party advertisers as well as the amount of 
such advertising that is placed with the Group and the channels 
on whose behalf the Group sells advertising space. The Group’s 
advertising revenue is also impacted by the audience viewing 
share of the Sky Channels and the other channels on whose 
behalf the Group sells advertising and, accordingly, such revenue 
is affected by the distribution of such channels. These factors 
will not always be favourable to the Group and developments in 
those areas may therefore have a negative impact on the Group’s 
advertising revenue. Advertising revenue may also be dependent 
on the viewing behaviour of the television audience. The Group 
cannot be certain that its advertising revenue will not be impacted 
negatively by this behaviour or that advertising revenue for Sky 
Channels currently offered on other platforms will not be impacted 
negatively in the future by the offering of video on demand 
services by other operators. On 10 June 2011, Ofcom launched a 
review of Tv advertising trading in the UK. The review will establish 
whether the way Tv advertising is currently bought and sold 
prevents, restricts or distorts competition, and whether this has 
a harmful effect on consumers. If Ofcom concludes that there are 
sufficient competition concerns, it will decide whether to exercise 
its discretion to refer the sector to the Competition Commission 
by the Autumn of 2011 for an in-depth competition investigation.

The Group’s ability to compete successfully will depend on its 
ability to continue to acquire, commission and produce programme 
content that is attractive to its customers. The programme 
content and third party programme services the Group has 
licensed from others are subject to fixed term contracts which 
will expire or may terminate early. The Group cannot be certain 
that programme content or third party programme services 
(whether on a renewal or otherwise) will be available to it at all 
or on acceptable financial or other terms (including in relation to 
technical matters such as encryption, territorial limitation and 
copy protection). Similarly, the Group cannot be certain that such 
programme content or programme services will be attractive to 
its customers, even if so available. The future demand and speed 
of take up of the Group’s DTH service, and the Group’s broadband 
and telephony services will depend upon the Group’s ability to 
offer such services to its Tv customers at competitive prices, 
pressures from competing services (which include both paid-for 
and free-to-air offerings), and its ability to create demand for its 
products and to attract and retain customers through a wide 
range of marketing activities. The future demand and speed 
of take up of the Group’s services will also depend upon the 
Group’s ability to package its content attractively. The effect of 
the slowdown in the rate of economic growth and the decline in 
consumer confidence on the Group’s ability to continue to attract 
and retain customers is uncertain. Therefore, the Group cannot be 
certain that the current or future marketing and other activities 
it undertakes will succeed in generating sufficient demand to 
achieve its operating targets.

the Group’s business is reliant on technology which is subject to 
the risk of failure, change and development.

The Group is dependent upon satellites which are subject to 
significant risks that may prevent or impair their commercial 
operations, including defects, destruction or damage, and 
incorrect orbital placement. If the Group, or other broadcasters 
who broadcast channels on the Group’s DTH platform, were unable 
to obtain sufficient satellite transponder capacity in the future, 
or the Group’s contracts with satellite providers were terminated, 
this would have a material adverse effect on the Group’s business 
and results of operations. Similarly, loss of the transmissions from 
satellites that are already operational, or failure of the Group’s 
transmission systems or uplinking facilities, could have a material 
adverse effect on its business and operations.

The Group is dependent on complex technologies in other parts 
of its business, including its customer relationship management 
systems, broadcast and conditional access systems, advertising 
sales, email platform, supply chain management systems and 
its telecommunications network infrastructure, including wide 
area network, LLU, CISCO core IP network, Marconi/Alcatel optical 
network and complex application servers.

In terms of the delivery of the Group’s broadcast services, 
the Group is reliant on a third party telecommunications 
infrastructure to distribute the content between its head 
offices at Isleworth and its primary and secondary uplink sites at 
Chilworth and Fair Oak.

In addition, the Group’s network and other operational systems 
are subject to several risks that are outside the Group’s control, 
such as the risk of damage to software and hardware resulting 
from fire, flood, power loss, natural disasters, and general 
transmission failures caused by a number of additional factors.

Any failure of the Group’s technologies, network or other 
operational systems or hardware or software that results in 
significant interruptions to the Group’s operations could have a 
material adverse effect on its business.

There is a large existing population of digital satellite reception 
equipment used to receive the Group’s services, including set-top 
boxes and ancillary equipment, in which the Group has made a 
significant investment and which is owned by its customers (other 
than the smartcards, the hard disk capacity in excess of personal 
storage capacity and the software in the set-top boxes, to which 
the Group retains title). Were a significant proportion of this 
equipment to suffer failure, or were the equipment to be rendered 
either redundant or obsolete by other technology or other 
requirements or by the mandatory imposition of incompatible 
technology, or should the Group need to or wish to upgrade 
significantly the existing population of set-top boxes and/or 
ancillary equipment with replacement equipment, this could have 
a material adverse effect on the Group’s business.

The deployed set-top boxes contain finite memory resources 
that are used by the operating system and other software 
components such as the conditional access system, ePG, and 
interactive applications. The Group estimates that around 
two million deployed standard definition set-top boxes have 

AnnuAl report 2011     
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significant memory constraints and as such it has been necessary 
to close the ePG launch queue to standard definition channels 
(the launch queue reopened for high definition and 3D channels 
in March 2010). Previously, the Group has been able to carry out 
software downloads from time to time to reconfigure the memory 
utilisation in standard definition set-top boxes and to accommodate 
additional and increasingly complex services. In the event that the 
implementation of such software downloads is no longer a course 
of action available to the Group, it may be limited in its ability to 
upgrade the services available via the standard definition set-top 
boxes currently installed in customers’ premises.

the Group is reliant on encryption and other technologies to 
restrict unauthorised access to its services.

Direct DTH access to the Group’s services is restricted through a 
combination of physical and logical access controls, including 
smartcards which the Group provides to its individual DTH 
customers. Unauthorised viewing and use of content may be 
accomplished by counterfeiting the smartcards or otherwise 
overcoming their security features. A significant increase in the 
incidence of signal piracy could require the replacement of 
smartcards sooner than otherwise planned. Although the Group 
works with its technology suppliers to ensure that its encryption 
and other protection technology is as resilient to piracy as possible, 
there can be no assurance that it will not be compromised in the 
future. The Group also relies upon the encryption or equivalent 
technologies employed by the cable and other platform operators 
for the protection of access to the services which the Group makes 
available to them as well as the encryption and equivalent 
technology which the Group employs in connection with services it 
makes available on open platforms (e.g. to PCs). Failure of encryption 
and other protection technology could impact the Group’s revenue 
from those operators and from its own customers.

The Group’s network and other operational systems rely on the 
operation and efficiency of its computer systems. Although the 
Group’s systems are protected by firewalls, there is a risk that its 
business could be disrupted by hackers or viruses gaining access 
to its systems. Any such disruption, and any resulting liability to 
the Group’s customers, could have a material adverse effect on the 
Group’s business.

Failure of key suppliers could affect the Group’s ability to operate 
its business.

The Group relies on a consistent and effective supply chain to 
meet its business plan commitments and to continue to maintain 
its network and protect its services. A failure to meet the Group’s 
requirements or delays in the development, manufacture or delivery 
of products from suppliers, the discontinuance of products or 
services, or a deterioration in support quality, could adversely affect 
the Group’s ability to deliver its products and services. No assurance 
can be given that a broad economic failure or decline in quality of 
equipment suppliers in the industry in which the Group operates will 
not occur. Any such occurrence could have a material adverse effect 
on the Group’s business.

Sky Talk relies on telecommunications services from network 
operator BT and failure on the part of BT to meet the Group’s 

requirements for whatever reason may affect the Group’s ability to 
deliver its telephony services to Sky Talk customers.

The Group uses a series of products from Openreach (a BT group 
business) within its LLU operations. These are the colocation space 
and associated facilities to house the central office equipment 
(co-mingling), backhaul circuits to connect that equipment to the 
Group’s network (backhaul extension services) and finally individual 
copper lines that go between the central office equipment and the 
end user’s house (metallic path facility lines). The Group purchases 
these products from Openreach at regulated prices set, from time 
to time, by Ofcom, and under terms and conditions outlined in legally 
binding undertakings given by BT and accepted by Ofcom in lieu of a 
market investigation reference to the CC following Ofcom’s Strategic 
Review of Telecommunications (the “BT Undertakings”). These 
stipulate that the Group buys these products on a fully equivalent 
basis when compared to other operators (including other parts of 
BT) who supply broadband, telephony and network products and 
services. Outside of the Group’s LLU areas the Group uses  
BT Wholesale’s IP stream “bitstream” product to provide  
broadband connectivity to end users. Failure by either Openreach 
or BT Wholesale to provide its products to the Group on a fully 
equivalent basis, or changes to regulated prices, could have a 
material adverse effect on the Group’s business.

Openreach is deploying next generation access networks to some 
UK households based on fibre. Openreach is required by Ofcom 
to sell wholesale fibre access services on a fully equivalent basis. 
However, the price of these services is not regulated by Ofcom. 
Should a significant proportion of customers wish to buy fibre 
based broadband in future, changes in the availability, price or 
terms of these wholesale fibre access services could have a material 
adverse effect on the Group’s business.

the Group undertakes significant capital expenditure projects, 
including technology and property projects.

The Group is currently involved in capital expenditure projects 
including infrastructure projects. As is common with such projects, 
there is a risk that the Group’s capital expenditure projects may not 
be completed as envisaged, either within the proposed timescales 
or budgets, or that the anticipated business benefits of the projects 
may not be fully achieved.

the Group, in common with other service providers relies on 
intellectual property and proprietary rights, including in respect 
of programming content, which may not be adequately protected 
under current laws or which may be subject to unauthorised use.

The Group’s services largely comprise content in which it owns, or 
has licensed, the intellectual property rights, delivered through 
a variety of media, including broadcast programming, interactive 
television services and the internet. The Group relies on trademark, 
copyright and other intellectual property laws to establish and 
protect its rights over this content. However, the Group cannot 
be certain that its rights will not be challenged, invalidated or 
circumvented or that it will successfully renew its rights. Third 
parties may be able to copy, infringe or otherwise profit from the 
Group’s rights or content which it owns or licenses, without the 
Group’s, or the rights holder’s, authorisation. These unauthorised 

AnnuAl report 2011   
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIeW

Principal risks and uncertainties

continued

activities may be more easily facilitated by the internet and 
digital technology. In addition, the lack of clarity relating to the 
legal framework applicable to the internet creates an additional 
challenge for the Group in protecting its rights relating to its online 
business and other digital technology rights.

On 3 February 2011, the Advocate General (the “AG”) of the 
european Court of Justice (“eCJ”) gave her opinion to the eCJ 
in the joined cases Football Association Premier League Ltd and 
Others v QC Leisure and Others and Karen Murphy v Media Protection 
Services Ltd, which are references for preliminary rulings from the 
UK’s High Court of Justice. The cases in the main proceedings stem 
from the practice of territorially restricting access to encrypted 
sports broadcasts which are transmitted via satellite to various 
Member States, and the use of foreign decoder cards in the United 
Kingdom to access foreign satellite transmissions of live Premier 
League football matches. The references for preliminary rulings 
concern the issue of whether measures to enforce exclusive 
broadcasting rights are incompatible with Community law. The 
AG’s opinion does not bind the eCJ, whose final decision is awaited.

the Group generates wholesale revenue principally from one 
customer.

The Group currently derives its wholesale revenue principally 
from one wholesale operator, vM. economic or market factors, 
regulatory intervention, or a change in strategy relating to the 
distribution of the Group’s channels, may adversely influence the 
Group’s wholesale revenue and other revenue which the Group 
receives from vM in connection with supply of the Sky Premium 
and Basic Channels which may negatively affect the Group’s 
business.

the Group is subject to a number of medium and long-term 
obligations.

The Group is party to a number of medium and long-term 
agreements and other arrangements (including in respect of 
programming and transmission, for example, its transponder 
agreements) which impose financial and other obligations upon 
the Group. If the Group is unable to perform any of its obligations 
under these agreements and/or arrangements, it could have a 
material adverse effect on the Group’s business.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
28

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – FINANCIAL AND OPeRATING RevIeW
DIReCTORS’ RePORT – FINANCIAL AND OPeRATING RevIeW

Directors’ report – Financial and operating review 

Introduction
The following discussion and analysis is based on, and should be 
read in conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements, 
including the related notes, included within this Annual Report. 
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and as adopted by 
the eU.

The Group maintains a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the 
Sunday nearest to 30 June in each year. In fiscal 2011, this date 
was 3 July 2011, this being a 53 week year (fiscal year 2010: 
27 June 2010, 52 week year). For convenience purposes, the Group 
continues to date its consolidated financial statements as at 
30 June.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures is set out on page 121 and 
a detailed reconciliation of profit from continuing operations to 
adjusted profit from continuing operations is included in note 11 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

The Group’s results from continuing operations include the 
acquisition of the Living Tv Group (“Living Tv”) in the current year 
and exclude the results of easynet Global Services (“easynet”) 
from both the current year and the prior year comparative.

overview and recent developments
During the current year, total revenue from continuing operations 
increased by 16% to £6,597 million, compared to the year ended 
30 June 2010 (“the prior year”). Adjusted operating profit from 
continuing operations for the current year was £1,073 million, 
resulting in an adjusted operating profit margin of 16%, compared 
to 15% in the prior year. Reported operating profit from continuing 
operations was £1,073 million, compared to £1,113 million in the 
prior year.

Adjusted profit for the year from continuing operations was 
£725 million, generating adjusted basic earnings per share 
from continuing operations of 41.6 pence, compared to an 
adjusted profit from continuing operations of £560 million and 
adjusted basic earnings per share from continuing operations 
of 32.1 pence in the prior year. Reported profit for the year, 
including discontinued operations, was £810 million, generating 
basic earnings per share of 46.5 pence, compared to a profit of 
£878 million and basic earnings per share of 50.4 pence in the prior 
year.

At 30 June 2011, the total number of Tv customers in the UK and 
Ireland was 10,187,000, representing a net increase of 327,000 
Tv customers in the current year. Including our standalone home 
communications services, the total number of customers was 
10,294,000, representing a net increase of 426,000 customers in 
the current year.
At 30 June 2011, the total number of Sky+HD customers was 
3,822,000, representing 38% of total Tv customers. This 
represents growth in Sky+HD customers of 30% in the current 
year. The number of Multiroom customers also continued to 
grow, increasing by 129,000 in the current year to 2,250,000; 22% 
penetration of total Tv customers. Wholesale subscribers to the 

Group’s channels increased to 4,382,000 compared to 4,312,000 in 
the prior year.

Churn for the current year was 10.4% which is in line with the prior 
year (2010: 10.3%).

Sky Broadband continues to grow strongly, increasing by 711,000 
customers in the current year to 3,335,000. During the year we 
unbundled 385 additional exchanges, increasing our footprint 
to approximately 80% network coverage. The number of Sky 
Talk customers reached 3,101,000, representing an increase of 
734,000 in the current year. The number of Line Rental customers 
increased by 994,000 in the current year to 2,680,000.

Corporate
The Board of Directors is proposing a final dividend of 14.54 pence 
per ordinary share, resulting in a total dividend for the year of 
23.28 pence, representing growth of 20% over the prior year full 
year dividend. The ex-dividend date will be 16 November 2011 and, 
subject to shareholder approval at the Company’s Annual General 
Meeting (“AGM”), the dividend will be paid on 9 December 2011 to 
shareholders of record on 18 November 2011.

On 12 July 2010, the Group completed the purchase of 100% of 
the share capital of virgin Media Television Limited, virgin Media 
Television Rights Limited, and the assets and liabilities of the 
virgin Media television channels, subsequently renamed the Living 
Tv Group. Total consideration comprised £160 million cash after 
adjustments which included a working capital adjustment.

Following the delisting of the Company’s ADSs on the New York 
Stock exchange, the Company filed to terminate the registration 
of its ordinary shares with the U.S. Securities and exchange 
Commission (“SeC”). The termination became effective on 
18 August 2010. As a result the Company no longer has SeC 
reporting obligations. The Company has maintained its ADR facility 
as a Level 1 ADR programme. This means that the Company’s ADSs 
are traded on the US over-the-counter market and are quoted on 
OTCQx. The Company’s ordinary shares continue to trade on the 
London Stock exchange.

On 1 September 2010, the Group completed the sale of its 
business-to-business telecommunications operation, easynet, 
to Lloyds Development Capital (“LDC”) for £94 million after 
adjustments which included a working capital adjustment.

On 23 February 2011, the Group completed its acquisition of The 
Cloud Networks Limited (“The Cloud”), a public Wi-Fi network 
operator for a maximum consideration of £48 million, of which 
£5 million is contingent upon The Cloud achieving future financial 
targets.

On 5 April 2011, the Group sold its available-for-sale investment in 
Shine Limited (“Shine”) for a maximum consideration of £36 million, 
of which £31 million has been received to date. The remaining 
consideration is contingent on certain post transaction criteria 
and is currently held in escrow.

On 7 May 2008 the Combined Nomenclature Committee of the 
european Commission issued an explanatory Note imposing a 
13.9% ad valorem customs duty to the importation of set-top 
boxes incorporating a hard disk drive. The Group appealed this 

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
29

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – FINANCIAL AND OPeRATING RevIeW

Directors’ report – Financial and operating review 

continued

decision to the First Tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber) (“Tribunal”). On 6 
July 2009 the Tribunal referred the matter to the Court of Justice of 
the european Union (“eCJ”). On 14 April 2011 the eCJ gave judgment 
agreeing with our analysis that the primary purpose of such set-top 
boxes was to act as a television receiver such that no customs duty 
is payable. We expect the matter to be referred back to the Tribunal 
for them to apply the eCJ’s decision to the facts of the Group’s 
appeal. The Group paid £53 million of duty on set-top boxes from 
30 June 2008 to 14 April 2011 and this is now being recovered from 
HMRC. 

On 15 June 2010, News Corporation announced a proposal relating 
to a possible offer for the entire issued share capital of the 
Company not already owned by News Corporation (“the Proposal”).

News Corporation confirmed that the Proposal did not amount to a 
firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.5 of the Takeover Code 
and there was no obligation on News Corporation to make such an 
offer and therefore that it could withdraw the Proposal at its sole 
discretion at any time. At the time of the Proposal the Company 
and News Corporation entered into an agreement which provided, 
amongst other matters, that if News Corporation announced prior 
to obtaining merger clearance that it did not intend to make a 
firm offer, then News Corporation would pay the Company a fee of 
£38.5 million, representing 0.5% of the value of the Proposal (the 
“Break Fee”).

On 13 July 2011, prior to obtaining merger clearance, News 
Corporation announced that it no longer intended to make an offer 
for the entire issued share capital of the Company that it did not 
already own (the “Proposal Withdrawal”). The Break Fee has now 
been paid. Costs of £15 million were incurred during the year in 
relation to the Proposal.

On 28 July 2011, the Board agreed to seek the necessary approvals 
to return £750 million of capital to shareholders via a share 
buy-back programme. Shareholder approvals will be sought at 
the Company’s AGM on 29 November 2011. The Company has 
entered into an agreement with News Corporation under which, 
following any market purchases of shares by the Company, News 
Corporation will sell to the Company sufficient shares to maintain 
its percentage shareholding at the same level as applied prior to 
those market purchases. The price payable to News Corporation 
will be the price payable by the Company in respect of the relevant 
market purchases. The agreement is conditional on the appropriate 
shareholder approvals being granted. The effect of the agreement 
is to provide that there will be no change in News Corporation’s 
economic or voting interests in the Company as a result of the share 
buy-back programme. 

operating results
revenue

Our revenue is principally derived from retail subscription, wholesale 
fees, advertising and installation, hardware and servicing.

Our retail subscription revenue is a function of the number of 
DTH customers (residential and commercial), the mix of services 
subscribed to and the rates charged. Revenue from the provision 
of pay-per-view services, which include Sky Box Office, is included 
within retail subscription or wholesale subscription revenue, 

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
30

as appropriate. Retail subscription revenue also includes retail 
broadband subscription and Sky Talk revenue.

Our wholesale subscription revenue, which is currently revenue 
derived from the supply of Sky Channels to cable, DTT and Internet 
Protocol Television (“IPTv”) platforms, is a function of the number of 
subscribers on the relevant operators’ platforms, the mix of services 
subscribed to and the rates charged to those wholesale operators.

Our advertising revenue is mainly a function of the number of 
commercial impacts, defined as individuals watching one thirty 
second commercial on our wholly owned channels, together with 
the quality of impacts delivered and overall advertising market 
conditions. Advertising revenue also includes net commissions 
earned by us from the sale of advertising on those third party 
channels for which we act as sales representative.

Installation, hardware and service revenue includes income from 
set-top box sales and installation (including the sale of Sky+HD, 
Sky+ and Multiroom set-top boxes, and broadband), service calls 
and warranties.

Other revenue includes income from betting and gaming activities 
and mobile Tv services as well as conditional access, access control 
and electronic programme guide fees from customers on the Sky 
digital platform. It also includes third party set-top box sales.

operating expense

Our operating expense arises from programming, direct networks, 
transmission, technology and fixed networks, marketing, subscriber 
management and supply chain and administration costs.

Programming costs include payment for: (i) licences of television 
rights from certain US and european film licensors including the 
results of foreign exchange programme hedges; (ii) the rights to 
televise certain sporting events; (iii) other programming acquired 
from third party licensors; (iv) the production and commissioning of 
original programming; and (v) the rights to retail the Sky Distributed 
Channels to Tv customers. The methods used to amortise 
programming inventories are described in section (v) of note 1 to the 
consolidated financial statements “Critical accounting policies and 
the use of judgment”.

Under our current pay television agreements with the US major 
movie studios, we generally pay a US dollar-denominated licence fee 
per current movie, calculated on a per movie subscriber basis. During 
the year, we managed our US dollar/pound sterling exchange risk 
primarily by the purchase of forward foreign exchange contracts and 
currency options (collars) for up to five years ahead (see note 25 to 
the consolidated financial statements).

Under the DTH distribution agreements for the Sky Distributed 
Channels, we generally pay a monthly fee per subscriber for 
each channel, the fee in some cases being subject to periodic 
increases, or we pay a fixed fee or no such fee at all. A number of 
our distribution agreements are subject to minimum guarantees, 
which are linked to the proportion of the total number of Tv 
customers receiving specific packages. Our costs for carriage of the 
Sky Distributed Channels will (where a monthly per subscriber fee 
is payable) continue to be dependent on changes in the subscriber 

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – FINANCIAL AND OPeRATING RevIeW

base, contractual rates, viewing performance and/or the number 
of channels distributed.

Direct network costs include costs directly related to the supply of 
broadband and telephony services to our customers. This includes 
call costs, monthly wholesale access fees and other variable costs 
associated with our network.

Transmission, technology and fixed network costs include costs 
that are dependent upon the number and annual cost of the 
satellite transponders that we use. Our transponder capacity 
is primarily supplied by the SeS Astra and eutelsat eurobird 
satellites. Transmission, technology and network costs also include 
the costs associated with transmission, uplink and telemetry 
facilities.

Marketing costs include: (i) above-the-line spend (which promotes 
our brand and range of products and services generally); (ii) 
below-the-line spend (which relates to the growth, retention and 
maintenance of the customer base, including commissions payable 
to retailers and other agents for the sale of subscriptions and the 
costs of our own direct marketing to our existing and potential 
customers); and (iii) the cost of providing and installing digital 
satellite reception and home communications equipment for new 
and existing customers in excess of the relevant amount actually 
received from customers for such equipment and installation.

Subscriber management and supply chain costs include 
customer management costs, supply chain costs and associated 
depreciation. Customer management costs are those associated 
with managing new and existing customers, including customer 
handling and customer bad debt costs. Supply chain costs 
relate to systems and infrastructure and the installation costs 
of satellite reception equipment and installation costs of new 
products purchased by customers such as Sky+HD, Sky+ and 
Multiroom set-top boxes, including smartcard costs. Customer 
management costs and supply chain costs are largely dependent 
on customer levels and new customer additions in the year.

Administration costs include depreciation, channel management, 
facilities, other central operational overheads and the expense 
recognised for awards granted under our employee share option 
schemes.

For certain trend information related to our revenue and operating 
expense, see the “Trends and other information” section below.

2011 fiscal year compared to 2010 fiscal year
revenue

The Group’s revenue from continuing operations can be analysed 
as follows:

For the year to 30 June
Retail subscription
Wholesale subscription
Advertising
Installation, hardware and service
Other

2011

2010

£m
5,455
323
458
112
249
6,597

%
83
5
7
1
4
100

£m
4,761
238
340
174
196
5,709

%
83
4
6
3
4
100

Group revenue increased to £6,597 million (2010: £5,709 million), 
up 16% year on year and benefitting from the broadly based 
growth delivered this year.

Retail subscription revenue increased by 15%, to £5,455 million 
(2010: £4,761 million), reflecting the success in our multi-product 
strategy and a larger customer base.

Wholesale subscription revenue increased by £85 million to 
£323 million (2010: £238 million) following our acquisition of Living 
Tv and with a higher number of wholesale operators’ customers 
paying for our premium channels.

Advertising revenue for the year was 35% higher at £458 million 
(2010: £340 million), as we benefited from the consolidation of the 
sale of airtime on Living Tv and the improvement in the television 
advertising sector conditions. Advertising revenue now includes 
revenue related to our online properties and Sky Magazine; of 
which £19 million (2010: £21 million) was reclassified from other 
revenue.

Installation, hardware and service revenue was £112 million (2010: 
£174 million), reflecting our decision to lower the retail price of our 
Sky+HD box last year.

Other revenue of £249 million (2010: £196 million) was 27% 
higher year on year. This increase includes revenue from the 
sale of set-top boxes to Sky Italia in the fourth quarter. The cost 
associated with the boxes are included in subscriber management 
and supply chain costs.

operating expense

The Group’s operating expense from continuing operations and 
excluding adjusting items (as detailed on page 33) can be analysed 
as follows:

For the year to 30 June
Programming
Direct networks
Transmission, technology and fixed 
networks
Marketing
Subscriber management and supply 
chain
Administration

2011

2010

£m
2,188
584

395
1,220

596
541
5,524

%
39
11

7
22

£m
1,902
440

307
1,115

%
39
9

6
23

11
10

617
456
100 4,837

13
10
100

Direct Costs
Direct costs were higher compared to the prior year as we 
increased our on-screen investment and more customers choose 
our home communication services.

Programming costs were 15% higher at £2,188 million (2010: 
£1,902 million) reflecting our strategy to bring Tv customers 
more high quality content. entertainment costs increased as 
we launched Sky Atlantic in February and continued to invest in 
British drama and comedy on Sky 1 and Sky Living. We had a full 
year of sport with additional content including the fifth pack of live 
Premier League matches, the US Masters, the Ashes and the Ryder 
Cup. Third party channel costs were broadly level with additional 
cost relating to more third party HD channels on the platform 

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
31

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – FINANCIAL AND OPeRATING RevIeW

Directors’ report – Financial and operating review 

continued

offset by carriage fee savings upon consolidation of the Living Tv 
channels.

Direct network costs increased to £584 million (2010: £440 million) 
as a result of our customers taking 9.1 million home communication 
products from us, 37% more than a year ago. Higher volumes have 
been partially offset by a higher proportion of fully unbundled 
customers leading to lower monthly payments.

expenditure. Adjusted operating margin from continuing operations 
(calculated as total revenue less all operating expense as a 
percentage of total revenue) for the current year was 16%, compared 
to 15% in the prior year.

Reported operating profit from continuing operations decreased by 
4% to £1,073 million in the current year, primarily due to the receipt 
of litigation settlement income of £269 million in the prior year.

other operating Costs
Marketing costs (excluding adjusting items) increased by 
£105 million to £1,220 million (2010: £1,115 million), primarily reflecting 
the successful above-the-line marketing campaigns surrounding 
the launch of Sky Atlantic and the promotion of our home 
communications business.

Subscriber management and supply chain costs (excluding adjusting 
items) were £21 million lower at £596 million (2010: £617 million) as 
we benefited from our operational efficiency programmes to reduce 
costs in our supply chain and contact centres. This was partially 
offset by the cost of set-top boxes sold to Sky Italia in the fourth 
quarter. The revenue for this can be found in other revenue.

Transmission, technology and fixed network costs increased by 
£88 million to £395 million (2010: £307 million). The increase relates 
to higher network costs as we gain scale in our fixed line business 
and includes costs for network services previously accounted for 
within the Group by easynet.

Administration costs (excluding adjusting items) were £541 million 
(2010: £456 million), reflecting a higher non-cash IFRS 2 ‘Share-
based payment’ charge and associated National Insurance costs, 
and the acquisition of Living Tv. The IFRS 2 charge and related 
National Insurance costs were £86 million, up £41 million on the prior 
year as a result of the phasing of our share incentive plans and a 
higher share price throughout the year.

litigation settlement income and investment income on 
litigation settlement

In the prior year, on 26 January 2010, the Technology and 
Construction Court (“TCC”) gave judgment in the litigation between 
electronic Data Systems (“eDS”) and the Group. The litigation related 
to eDS’ former role as a supplier to the Group as part of the Group’s 
customer relationship management project.

On 7 June 2010, eDS and the Group fully and finally settled the 
litigation between them and all related claims (including for 
damages, costs and interest) for a total amount of £318 million.

In the prior year, the Group recognised £49 million of these 
payments in investment income on litigation settlement. This 
allocation was based on the Group’s estimate of the TCC’s likely 
award of interest on its lost cash flows since the end of eDS’ role as 
a supplier to the Group in March 2002.

The balance of £269 million was recognised in litigation settlement 
income, representing settlement for costs and damages.

operating profit and operating margin

Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations increased 
by 23% to £1,073 million in the current year, as a result of strong 
growth in retail subscriptions and cost efficiencies in our operating 

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
32

joint ventures and associates

Joint ventures are entities in which we hold a long-term interest and 
share control under a contractual arrangement with other parties. 
Our equity share of the net operating results from joint ventures 
and associates increased by £2 million to £34 million in the current 
year. This increase was primarily due to the growth of NGC Network 
International LLC and NGC Network Latin America LLC in which the 
Group has a 21% stake.

Investment income and finance costs

Investment income from continuing operations increased by 
£6 million to £9 million in the current year. This was primarily due to 
higher cash balances and higher rates of return.

Finance costs from continuing operations reduced by £11 million to 
£111 million in the current year, primarily due to lower facility fees.

Finance costs from continuing operations included £18 million of 
non-cash fair value gains on derivative financial instruments not 
qualifying for hedge accounting and hedge ineffectiveness, an 
increase of £5 million on the prior year (2010: gain of £13 million).

profit on disposal of available-for-sale investment

On 5 April 2011, the Group sold its available-for-sale investment 
in Shine for a maximum consideration of £36 million, of which 
£31 million has been received to date. The remaining consideration 
is contingent on certain post transaction criteria and is currently 
held in escrow. At the date of disposal, the Group estimated the fair 
value of the contingent consideration to be £4 million and recorded 
a profit on disposal of £9 million, being the excess of the recognised 
consideration above the carrying value of the shares.

In the prior year, on 8 February 2010, the Group placed a 
shareholding of 10.4% in ITv in accordance with the final 
undertakings given by the Group to the Secretary of State for 
Business, Innovation and Skills relating to the Group’s investment in 
ITv. The placing by the Group of 404 million ITv shares at 48.5 pence 
per share resulted in aggregate consideration of £196 million. A 
profit of £115 million was realised on disposal in the prior year, being 
the excess of the consideration above the impaired value of the 
shares. The Group continues to hold just under 7.5% of the shares in 
ITv.

taxation

The total tax charge for continuing operations for the current year 
of £256 million (2010: £294 million) comprises a current tax charge 
of £263 million (2010: £281 million) and a deferred tax credit of 
£7 million (2010: charge of £13 million). The lower tax charge in the 
current year is primarily due to the inclusion of tax liability on the 
eDS legal claim in the prior year charge.

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Discontinued operations

Adjusting items

On 1 September 2010, the Group completed the sale of its 
business-to-business telecommunications operation, easynet, to 
LDC for £100 million. Subsequent to this an agreed working capital 
adjustment reduced total net consideration to £94 million.

easynet represented a separate major line of business for the 
Group. As a result its operations have been treated as 
discontinued for the year ended 30 June 2011 and the year 
ended 30 June 2010. A single amount is shown on the face of the 
consolidated income statement comprising the post-tax result of 
discontinued operations and the post-tax profit recognised on the 
disposal of the discontinued operation.

A pre-tax profit of £62 million arose on the disposal of easynet 
being the net proceeds of disposal less the carrying amount of 
easynet’s net liabilities and attributable goodwill.

profit for the year and earnings per share

Profit for the year from continuing operations was £758 million, 
compared to £896 million in the prior year. The decrease in profit 
was primarily due to litigation settlement income received in 
the prior year along with the profit on the partial disposal of 
our investment in ITv. Profit for the year including discontinued 
operations was £810 million, compared to £878 million in the prior 
year.

The Group’s earnings per share are as follows:

earnings (loss) per share from profit (loss) 
for the year
Basic
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total

Diluted
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total

2011
pence

2010
pence

43.5
3.0
46.5

43.0
2.9
45.9

51.4
(1.0)
50.4

51.1
(1.0)
50.1

In order to provide a measure of underlying performance, 
management has chosen to present an adjusted profit from 
continuing operations for the year which excludes items that may 
distort comparability. See note 11 to the consolidated financial 
statements for a detailed reconciliation between profit from 
continuing operations and adjusted profit from continuing 
operations for the year.

The Group’s adjusted earnings per share from adjusted profit for 
the year from continuing operations are as follows:

Basic
Diluted

2011
pence

41.6
41.1

2010
pence

32.1
31.9

In the current year, reported operating profit from continuing 
operations of £1,073 million included £26 million of restructuring 
costs arising on the acquisition of Living Tv and costs of £15 million 
relating to the News Corporation proposal; both of these amounts 
were classified as administration costs. Included within marketing 
costs for the current year is a credit of £41 million in relation to 
import duty on set-top boxes paid out in prior years. This duty is 
recoverable due to the judgment given by the eCJ on 14 April 2011.

In the prior year, reported operating profit from continuing 
operations of £1,113 million included litigation settlement income of 
£269 million in relation to the Group’s claim against eDS, along with 
the cancellation of accounts payable on settlement of £5 million 
and legal costs of £1 million. Reported operating profit also 
included £32 million of costs relating to a restructuring exercise.

In the current year, reported profit for the year from continuing 
operations also included a £42 million exceptional gain (2010: 
£180 million gain), of which £18 million were mark-to-market gains 
relating to derivative financial instruments not qualifying for hedge 
accounting and gains and losses arising from designated fair value 
hedge accounting relationships (2010: £13 million gain), £9 million 
related to a profit on disposal of an available-for-sale investment 
(2010: £115 million gain) and £15 million related to a non-cash tax 
credit for a tax settlement relating to the network operations 
retained from the easynet business.

In the prior year, reported profit for the year from continuing 
operations also included investment income on litigation 
settlement of £49 million and the receipt of £3 million on closure 
of a joint venture.

The related tax effects on the above items resulted in a £9 million 
charge (2010: £85 million charge).

Balance sheet

During the year, total assets increased by £550 million to 
£5,354 million at 30 June 2011. Non-current assets increased 
by £207 million to £3,025 million, primarily due to an increase 
of £218 million in goodwill and intangible assets following the 
acquisitions of Living Tv and The Cloud, an increase of £33 million 
in available-for-sale investments due to the increase in the 
equity share price of ITv and an increase in deferred tax assets of 
£69 million. This increase was partially offset by the impact of the 
disposals of easynet and Shine, together with a decrease of £107 
million in non-current derivative financial assets resulting from 
mark-to-market movements on derivative instruments.

Current assets increased by £343 million to £2,329 million 
at 30 June 2011. This increase was predominately due to a 
£302 million net increase in cash and cash equivalents and short-
term deposits, as a result of receipts from the sale of easynet 
and net cash generated from operating activities, offset by the 
acquisitions of Living Tv and The Cloud and dividend payments. 
Trade and other receivables and inventories also increased during 
the year.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
33

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – FINANCIAL AND OPeRATING RevIeW

Directors’ report – Financial and operating review 

continued

Total liabilities increased by £75 million to £4,319 million at 30 June 
2011. Current liabilities increased by £205 million to £1,912 million, 
primarily due to an increase in trade and other payables. Non-
current liabilities decreased by £130 million to £2,407 million, 
principally due to a £125 million decrease in the fair value of 
the Group’s non-current borrowings, mainly resulting from the 
strengthening of pounds sterling against the dollar. This decrease 
was partially offset by a £30 million increase in non-current 
derivative financial liabilities.

Movements in the balance sheet value of derivative financial 
instruments are taken to the income statement to offset 
movements in the underlying related hedged items, which also 
impact the income statement. Where the underlying hedged item 
is not yet recognised, movements in the balance sheet value of 
the derivative are taken to the hedging reserve, to the extent that 
hedge accounting is achieved. Movements in the balance sheet 
value of derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting are taken to 
the income statement.

Foreign exchange

For details of the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our 
financial position and performance, see note 25 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

liquidity and capital resources

An analysis of the movement in our net debt (including related fees) 
is as follows:

Current borrowings
Non-current borrowings
Debt
Borrowings-related derivative 
financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term deposits
net debt

As at
1 July
2010
£m
8
2,450
2,458

(333)
(649)
(400)
1,076

Cash
move-
ments
£m
–
–
–

–
(272)
(30)
(302)

Non-
cash
move-
ments
£m
–
(125)
(125)

As at
30 June
2011
£m
8
2,325
2,333

101
–
–
(24)

(232)
(921)
(430)
750

The Group refers to net debt in discussing its indebtedness 
and liquidity position. Net debt is a non-GAAP measure that 
management uses to provide an assessment of the overall 
indebtedness of the Group. The most similar IFRS GAAP measures 
are current and non-current borrowings.

Management uses net debt to calculate and track adherence to 
the Group’s borrowing covenants, as disclosed in note 23 to the 
consolidated financial statements. Management monitors the 
Group’s net debt position because net debt is a commonly used 
measure in the investment analyst community and net debt is a key 
metric used by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s in their assessment 
of the Group’s credit rating. As such, management makes decisions 
about the appropriate investing and borrowing activities of the 
Group by reference to, amongst other things, net debt.

Our long-term funding comes primarily from our issued equity and 
US dollar and sterling-denominated debt. For details of the Group’s 

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
34

facilities, long-term funding, indebtedness position and the terms 
of material debt arrangements, including compliance with borrowing 
covenants, see note 23 to the consolidated financial statements. 
For details of the Group’s treasury activities, see note 25 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Our principal source of liquidity is cash generated from operations, 
combined with access to a £750 million committed RCF, which 
expires on 30 July 2013. At 30 June 2011, this facility was undrawn 
(30 June 2010: undrawn).

Cash flow

Adjusted free cash flow increased by 51% to £869 million (2010: 
£577 million), reflecting 19% growth in adjusted eBITDA, lower tax 
and interest payments than the prior year, and a strong working 
capital position.

Capital expenditure was £423 million (2010: £429 million), in line with 
our guidance of around 6.5% of revenue. Major items of expenditure 
in the period included the technical fit-out of our new broadcast 
facility and continued exchange rollout programme to increase the 
footprint of our fixed line communications network. 

Strong cash generation during the year has contributed to the 
reduction in net debt of £326 million to £750 million (2010: 
£1,076 million). The Group’s liquidity and headroom are comfortable 
with no bond redemptions falling due until October 2015.

trends and other information

The significant trends and factors which have a material effect on 
our financial performance are outlined below.

The number of Tv customers increased by 327,000 in the current 
year to 10,187,000, compared to growth of 418,000 in the prior 
year. The total number of customers, including standalone home 
communications customers, was 10,294,000, an increase of 426,000 
customers during the year. We expect growth in customer numbers 
to continue as a result of the implementation of our current 
marketing strategy. 
Sky+HD customers increased in the current year – by 30% – 
representing a penetration of total Tv customers of 38% and we 
expect penetration to continue to increase.

Churn for the current year was 10.4%, compared to 10.3% in the prior 
year. Over the medium term we expect our churn to remain broadly 
at this level.

The number of Sky Broadband customers increased by 711,000 to 
3,335,000. We expect continued growth in the number of retail 
broadband connections activated in future years. The number of 
Sky Talk customers increased by 734,000 in the current year to 
3,101,000 and the number of Line Rental customers increased by 
994,000 to 2,680,000. We expect growth in Sky Talk and Line Rental 
customers to continue. The increased number of customers to 
our Sky+HD, Sky Broadband and Sky Talk products is expected to 
generate increased retail revenue on a per customer basis.

During the current year, the number of wholesale subscribers 
receiving Sky Channels in the UK and Ireland increased by 70,000 
to 4,382,000. Our wholesale subscribers are to some extent 
dependent on the strategies of the relevant wholesale operators, 

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – FINANCIAL AND OPeRATING RevIeW

generally and as they relate to the distribution of our Channels (for 
further details see “Directors’ report – Business review – Principal 
risks and uncertainties”).

Advertising revenue increased by 35% in the current year due to 
the acquisition of Living Tv coupled with growth in the television 
advertising sector. In the short term, the UK television advertising 
sector is expected to remain volatile and challenging reflecting the 
continued wider economic uncertainty and the ongoing growth of 
online media.

The Group’s programming costs have increased in the current year. 
In the short term, we expect that programming costs will continue 
to increase and note our commitment to increase our investment 
in UK originated content and production. In the medium term, the 
Group expects programming costs to increase in proportion to the 
increase in revenues.

Direct network costs increased during the current year and are 
expected to increase in future years. The expected increase 
reflects higher customer numbers, the cost of operating our Sky 
Talk service and the growth of broadband services as we continue 
to invest in further LLU unbundling and mass migrations onto our 
NvN network.

Marketing costs increased in the year due to our investment in 
accelerating home communications growth and the launch of a 
new channel, Sky Atlantic. Subscriber management and supply 
chain costs decreased during the current year as the costs 
associated with our larger customer base were offset by success 
in our operational efficiency programmes to reduce costs in our 
supply chain and contact centres. The level of growth in both the 
total number of customers and the number of additional services 
taken by our customers (for example Sky+HD) will remain key 
drivers of these costs in future as will our ability to deliver rate 
efficiency improvements across our contact centre and supply 
chain operations.

excluding Living Tv, the increase in the IFRS 2 ‘Share-based 
payment’ charge and adjusting items, administration costs in the 
current year were 9% higher than the prior year which is below the 
rate of revenue growth of 16%, as a result of our focus on managing 
our central costs. Going forward, our aim is to hold the rate of 
growth in administration costs below that of revenue growth.

The Board of Directors is proposing a final dividend of 14.54 pence 
per share, which, combined with the interim dividend of 8.74 pence 
per share, will result in total dividend growth of 20% on the prior 
year total dividend.

off-balance sheet arrangements

At 30 June 2011, the Group did not have any undisclosed 
off-balance sheet arrangements that require disclosure as defined 
under the applicable rules of IFRS.

related party transactions

The Group conducts all business transactions with companies 
which are part of the News Corporation group (“News 
Corporation”), a major shareholder, on an arm’s length basis. 
During the current year, the Group made purchases of goods 
and services from News Corporation totalling £216 million 

(2010: £197 million) and supplied services to News Corporation 
totalling £49 million (2010: £32 million).

During the current year, the Group made purchases of goods and 
services from joint ventures and associates totalling £57 million 
(2010: £55 million) and supplied services to joint ventures and 
associates totalling £23 million (2010: £13 million).

On 15 June 2010, News Corporation announced a proposal relating 
to a possible offer for the entire share capital of the Company not 
already owned by News Corporation. On 13 July 2011, this proposal 
was withdrawn. For further details see the “Corporate” section on 
pages 29 to 30.

For further details of transactions with related parties, see 
note 32 to the consolidated financial statements.

events after the reporting period

For details of the withdrawal of the News Corporation proposal 
and the Company’s share buy-back programme see the 
“Corporate” section on pages 29 to 30.

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AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
35

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Board of Directors

james murdoch (age 38) 
non-executive Director and Chairman
James Murdoch was appointed as a 
Director of the Company on 13 February 
2003 and Chairman on 7 December 2007. 
Between November 2003 and December 
2007 he was Chief executive Officer (CeO) 
of the Company, a role he relinquished 
on his appointment as Non-executive 
Chairman. Mr Murdoch is Deputy Chief 
Operating Officer and Chairman and CeO, 
International, at News Corporation and is 
a member of News Corporation’s Board 
of Directors and executive Committee. 
Between May 2000 and November 
2003, he was Chairman and CeO of 
Star Group Limited. Mr Murdoch was 
appointed a Non-executive Director of 
GlaxoSmithKline plc in May 2009 and as 
a Non-executive Director of Sotheby’s in 
May 2010.

nicholas Ferguson (age 62) 
Deputy Chairman and Senior 
Independent non-executive Director 
remuneration Committee Chairman
Nicholas Ferguson was appointed as 
a Director of the Company on 15 June 
2004, Senior Independent Non-executive 
Director on 12 June 2007 and Deputy 
Chairman on 16 June 2010. Mr Ferguson is 
Chairman of SvG Capital plc, a publicly-
quoted private equity group, and was 
formerly Chairman of Schroder ventures. 
He is also Chairman of the Courtauld 
Institute of Art and the Institute of 
Philanthropy.

jeremy Darroch (age 49)
executive Director and Chief executive 
officer
Jeremy Darroch was appointed as a 
Director of the Company on 16 August 
2004. He was appointed CeO on 
7 December 2007, having previously been 
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2004. 
Prior to joining the Company, Mr Darroch 
was Group Finance Director of DSG 
International plc (DSG), formerly Dixons 
Group plc. Prior to DSG, Mr Darroch spent 
12 years at Procter & Gamble in a variety 
of roles in the UK and europe. Mr Darroch 
is a Non-executive Director and the 
Chairman of the Audit Committee of 
Marks and Spencer Group plc. He is also a 
Board Member of the charity Youth Sport 
Trust and a Council Member of the Council 
for Industry and Higher education.

David F. DeVoe (age 64)
non-executive Director
David F. Devoe was appointed as a 
Director of the Company on 15 December 
1994. Mr Devoe has been a Director of 
News Corporation and its CFO since 
October 1990. Mr Devoe has served as 
Senior executive vice President of News 
Corporation since January 1996. Mr Devoe 
has been a Director of NDS Group Limited 
since October 1996 and was appointed 
as a Director of Shine Limited on 15 April 
2011.

David evans (age 71) 
Independent non-executive Director
David evans was appointed as a Director 
of the Company on 21 September 
2001. Mr evans was President and 
CeO of Crown Media Holdings, Inc. and 
its predecessor company, Hallmark 
entertainment Networks, from March 
1999 to October 2007. Prior to that, 
Mr evans was President and CeO of 
Tele-Communications International, Inc. 
(TINTA) from January 1998. Prior to joining 
TINTA, from July 1996, Mr evans held 
various senior roles at News Corporation 
and Fox Television Inc. He is currently a 
Director of village Roadshow Limited and 
The Concord Music Group.

Andrew Griffith (age 40)
executive Director and Chief Financial 
officer
Andrew Griffith was appointed as CFO 
and a Director of the Company on 
7 April 2008. Mr Griffith joined Sky in 
October 1999 and held a number of 
finance roles prior to his appointment 
as CFO. Mr Griffith previously worked 
at the investment bank Rothschild, 
where he advised a range of clients 
in the technology, media and 
telecommunications sectors. Mr Griffith 
is a member of the 100 Group of Finance 
Directors.

Andrew Higginson (age 54) 
Independent non-executive Director 
Audit Committee Chairman
Andrew Higginson was appointed as a 
Director of the Company on 1 September 
2004. Mr Higginson is Chief executive of 
Retailing Services of Tesco plc (Tesco). Mr 
Higginson was appointed to the Board 
of Tesco in 1997, having previously been 
the Group Finance Director of the Burton 
Group plc. Mr Higginson is a member of 
the 100 Group of Finance Directors and 
Chairman of Tesco Personal Finance.

Allan leighton (age 58) 
Independent non-executive Director
Allan Leighton was appointed a Director 
of the Company on 15 October 1999.
Mr Leighton joined Asda Stores Ltd in 
1992 and was appointed CeO in 1996.
In November 1999 he was appointed 
President and CeO of Walmart europe. 
Mr Leighton resigned from these positions 
in September 2000. Mr Leighton is 
currently Chairman of Pace plc, Peacocks 
Ltd, Pandora AS, and Music Magpie.co.uk. 
He is Deputy Chairman of George Weston 
Ltd and Selfridges & Co Ltd. Mr Leighton 
was Chairman of The Royal Mail until 
March 2009. Mr Leighton is a Patron of 
Breast Cancer Care and holds an Honorary 
Degree from Cranfield University , and an 
Honorary Fellowship at UCL.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
36

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

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thomas mockridge (age 56)
non-executive Director
Thomas Mockridge was appointed as a 
Director of the Company on 10 February 
2009. Mr Mockridge was nominated as 
CeO of News International in July 2011. 
Previously, he was CeO of Sky Italia and 
Chief executive, european Television of 
News Corporation where he oversaw 
News Corporation’s television operations 
in europe, outside the UK. Prior to joining 
Sky Italia, Mr Mockridge held various roles 
at Star Group Limited and was previously 
CeO of Foxtel, News Corporation’s Pay-Tv 
joint venture with Telstra.

jacques nasser (age 63) 
Independent non-executive Director
Jacques Nasser was appointed as a 
Director of the Company on 8 November 
2002. Mr Nasser served as a Member of 
the Board of Directors, and as President 
and CeO of Ford Motor Company from 
1998 to 2001. Mr Nasser is the Chairman 
of BHP Billiton, and an Advisory Partner 
of One equity Partners, the private 
equity arm of JP Morgan. He also serves 
on the International Advisory Board of 
Allianz. Until January 2008, Mr Nasser 
served on the Board of Brambles Limited. 
Mr Nasser graduated from RMIT University 
of Melbourne, Australia and has also 
received an honorary Doctorate of 
Technology.

Dame Gail rebuck (age 59) 
Independent non-executive Director
the Bigger picture Committee Chairman
Dame Gail Rebuck was appointed as a 
Director of the Company on 8 November 
2002. Dame Gail is Chairman and CeO 
of The Random House Group Limited, 
one of the UK’s leading trade publishing 
companies. Dame Gail is a Director of 
Skillset, a Trustee of the National Literacy 
Trust, and sits on the Council of the Royal 
College of Art. Dame Gail was awarded 
a CBe in the 2000 New Year Honours 
List and was made a Dame in the 2009 
Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Dame 
Gail was also named 2009 veuve Clicquot 
Business Woman of the Year.

Daniel rimer (age 40) 
Independent non-executive Director
Daniel Rimer was appointed as a Director 
of the Company on 7 April 2008. Mr Rimer 
is a General Partner of the venture 
capital firm Index ventures Management 
Limited (Index ventures) and established 
the firm’s London office. He currently 
serves on a number of boards including 
RightScale Inc., Oanda Corporation, FON 
Wireless Limited, and Stardoll Inc. Prior 
to joining Index ventures, Mr Rimer was a 
General Partner of The Barksdale Group 
and, previously, Managing Director of 
Hambrecht & Quist’s (now JP Morgan) 
equity Research Group.

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Arthur Siskind (age 72) 
non-executive Director
Arthur Siskind was appointed as a 
Director of the Company on 19 November 
1991. Mr Siskind has been the Senior 
Advisor to the Chairman of News 
Corporation since January 2005. 
Mr Siskind has been an executive 
Director of News Corporation since 
1991 and was Group General Counsel of 
News Corporation from March 1991 until 
December 2004. Mr Siskind has been a 
member of the Bar of the State of New 
York since 1962.

lord wilson of Dinton (age 68) 
Independent non-executive Director
Corporate Governance and nominations 
Committee Chairman
Lord Wilson of Dinton was appointed as 
a Director of the Company on 13 February 
2003. Lord Wilson retired from the Civil 
Service in 2002 after serving 36 years in a 
number of UK Government departments. 
Since his retirement in September 
2002, Lord Wilson has been Master 
of emmanuel College, Cambridge. In 
October 2006, he became Non-executive 
Chairman of C. Hoare and Co, Bankers. 
From April 2003 until October 2007, Lord 
Wilson was a Non-executive Director of 
xansa plc. Lord Wilson was made a peer in 
November 2002.

Committee membership

  Audit Committee

  Remuneration Committee

   Corporate Governance and 
Nominations Committee

  The Bigger Picture Committee

Alternate Directors
A Director may appoint any other 
Director or any other person to act as 
his Alternate. An Alternate Director 
shall be entitled to receive notice of and 
attend meetings of the Directors and 
committees of Directors of which his 
appointer is a member and not able to 
attend. The Alternate Director shall be 
entitled to vote at such meetings and 
generally perform all the functions of his 
appointer as a Director in his absence.

On the resignation of the appointer for 
any reason the Alternate Director shall 
cease to be an Alternate Director. The 
appointer may also remove his Alternate 
Director by notice to the Company 
Secretary signed by the appointer making 
or revoking the appointment. An Alternate 
Director shall not be entitled to fees for 
his service as an Alternate Director.

James Murdoch, David Devoe, Arthur 
Siskind and Thomas Mockridge have 
appointed each of the others to act as 
their Alternate Director. David evans has 
appointed Allan Leighton as his Alternate 
Director.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
37

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Corporate governance report

The Company is committed to maintaining high standards of 
corporate governance in its management of the Group and when 
accounting to shareholders. The management of the Company 
values an effective long-term outlook and sees itself as responsible 
to the wider range of stakeholders, whilst being accountable for the 
pursuit of its objectives for the benefit of the Company’s members 
as a whole.

The UK Corporate Governance Code 2010 (the “Code”) took effect 
from 29 June 2010, replacing the Combined Code on Corporate 
Governance 2008 (the “Combined Code”) as the standard of good 
governance practice in the UK. The Financial Services Authority 
requires listed companies to disclose whether they have complied 
with the provisions of the Code throughout the financial year.

The Board considers that the Company complied with the Code 
for the whole of the year ended 30 June 2011. In respect of Code 
provision B.7.1 all executive and Non-executive Directors will retire 
and offer themselves for reappointment from the 2011 AGM of the 
Company in compliance with the Code.

This section of the Annual Report along with the report on Directors’ 
remuneration on pages 49 to 58 and other governance and 
statutory disclosures on pages 46 to 48 provide details of how the 
Company has applied the main principles of the Code during the 
year ended 30 June 2011. Further information on the Code is publicly 
available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website www.frc.org.uk.

the Board
The Board currently comprises fourteen Directors, made up of two 
executive Directors and twelve Non-executive Directors. A majority 
of eight Non-executive Directors are determined to be independent 
by the Board. The Independent Non-executive Directors bring a 
wide range of experience and expertise to the Group’s affairs, and 
carry significant weight in the Board’s decisions. The Independent 
Non-executive Directors provide a strong independent element and 
a foundation for good corporate governance. Biographies of each 
of the Directors are set out on pages 36 to 37 and identify those 
Directors who are, in the view of the Board, independent within the 
meaning of the Code.

Prior to appointment, and on an annual basis, each board member 
receives and completes a questionnaire to determine factors that 
may affect independence according to best practice statements 
contained within the Code. The responses to the questionnaire 
assist the Board in ascertaining whether a director is independent 
in character and judgment, and whether there are relationships or 
circumstances which are likely to affect, or could appear to affect, 
the Director’s judgment.

The Company recognises that all Directors are equally and 
collectively accountable under the law for the proper stewardship 
of the Company’s affairs. The Company maintains a directors’ and 
officers’ liability insurance policy which meets defence costs when 
the Director is not proved to have acted fraudulently.

Additionally, the Company’s articles of association allow the 
Company to indemnify the Directors and deeds of indemnity have 
been issued to all the Directors of the Company.

executive Directors are not allowed to take on the chairmanship 
of a FTSe 100 company, but are allowed to take up one external 
non-executive FTSe 100 appointment and retain any payments in 
respect of such appointments.

The roles of the Chairman and CeO are separate and have been so 
since the Company’s shares were admitted to listing in 1994. The  
full schedule of matters reserved for decision making by the  
Board, can be found on the Company’s corporate website at 
www.sky.com/corporate.

the Chairman
The Chairman is responsible for leadership of the Board, ensuring its 
effectiveness on all aspects of its role and setting its agenda. This 
includes ensuring, via the Company Secretary, that the Directors 
receive accurate, timely and clear information. The duties of the 
Chairman include the following:

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

to encourage and ensure effective communication with 
shareholders, and ensure shareholder views are communicated 
to the Board as a whole;

to facilitate a structure to allow the effective contribution of all 
Directors, and of Non-executive Directors in particular;

to create an environment which engenders constructive 
relations between executive and Non-executive Directors;

to organise the business of the Board so that it can be carried 
out effectively and efficiently;

to lead the Board in discussions regarding the Company’s 
strategy and in the achievement of its objectives;

to ensure Board committees are properly established, 
composed and operated; and

● 

to enhance the Company’s public standing and image overall.

Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director
The Board has appointed one Non-executive Director, Nicholas 
Ferguson, to act as Senior Independent Director and Deputy 
Chairman. Nicholas Ferguson has met with institutional 
shareholders and representative bodies during the year and is 
available to assist shareholders in resolving concerns should 
alternative channels be inappropriate.

the Chief executive officer
The CeO is responsible for the daily operation of the Company, 
advancing long-term shareholder value, supported by the 
management team. He is accountable and responsible to the 
Board for the management and operation of the Company. He is 
also involved in the management of the social and environmental 
responsibilities of the Company. The duties of the CeO include the 
following:

● 

● 

to be responsible and accountable to the Board for the 
management and operation of the Group;

to prepare and implement plans and programmes for the 
attainment of approved objectives and to recommend such 
plans and programmes to the Board as appropriate;

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38

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

● 

● 

● 

● 

to provide leadership in the Group’s commitment to attaining 
high business standards generally;

to create the conditions within the Group for the efficient 
operation of all business units;

to establish and maintain relationships with shareholders and 
potential shareholders, and major external bodies;

to keep the Board informed on all matters of material 
importance; and

● 

to chair meetings of the executive Committee.

non-executive Directors
The dates on which the Non-executive Directors’ initial service 
agreements/letters of appointment commenced are as follows:

David Devoe
David evans
Nicholas Ferguson
Andrew Higginson
Allan Leighton
Thomas Mockridge
James Murdoch
Jacques Nasser
Dame Gail Rebuck
Daniel Rimer
Arthur Siskind
Lord Wilson of Dinton

Commencement date
15 December 1994
21 September 2001
15 June 2004
1 September 2004
15 October 1999
10 February 2009
7 December 2007
8 November 2002
8 November 2002
7 April 2008
19 November 1991
13 February 2003

At the Company’s 2011 AGM all Non-executive Directors will retire. 
It is the intention that Allan Leighton and David evans will not seek 
reappointment but all the other Non-executive Directors will offer 
themselves for reappointment in accordance with provision B.7.1 of 
the Code.

Non-executive Directors’ letters of appointment do not contain 
a notice period. The letters of appointment are available for 
inspection at the Company’s registered office address during 
normal business hours.

All of the Non-executive Directors are required to devote as much 
time as is necessary for the proper performance of their duties. 

The Non-executive Directors provide independent challenge, an 
objective outlook and a diversity of experience, which enables 
them to hold management to account for the performance of 
the Company, and also assist management in the development of 
strategy and the long term plans for the direction of the Company. 

the Company Secretary
The Company Secretary is available to advise all Directors and is 
responsible for ensuring the Board is supplied with all necessary 
information in a reliable, timely manner. The Company Secretary 
ensures good communication between the Board, Board 
committees and senior management. He facilitates Directors’ 
induction and training.

news Corporation proposal
Following an approach by News Corporation on 10 June 2010 
relating to a possible offer for the entire issued share capital of 
the Company that it does not already own, the Board passed a 
resolution to appoint a committee comprising the Independent 
Directors and the executive Directors (the “Offer Committee”) 
with authority to exercise all powers of the Board in relation to a 
possible offer and any matters relevant to the Proposal. On 13 July 
2011 News Corporation announced that it no longer intended to 
make an offer for the entire issued share capital of the Company 
and the Offer Committee was subsequently disbanded on 28 July 
2011. The Offer Committee was chaired by Nicholas Ferguson.

During the period of the Proposal arrangements were put in place 
to regulate the attendance of Directors connected with News 
Corporation at meetings of the Board (or any committee of the 
Board) and receipt of information relating to the Company by 
those Directors that were deemed relevant to the Proposal. This 
ensured that there was a clear separation of those matters that 
were reserved for discussion and determination by the Board 
and those that were reserved for discussion and determination 
by the Offer Committee, ensuring that all matters relevant to the 
Proposal (including matters relating to the future prospects or 
strategy of the Company) were dealt with by the Offer Committee. 
The Offer Committee met on 12 occasions during the year.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
39

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Corporate governance report  

continued

Board practices
The Board met four times during the year. Attendance of the current 
Directors at Board meetings and committee members at meetings 
of the committees on which they served during the year is set out in 
the table below:

Board Audit Remuneration

Corporate
Governance
and
Nominations

The
Bigger
Picture

Number of meetings
held in year
Director
James Murdoch, 
Chairman(iv)(v)
Jeremy Darroch, CeO
Andrew Griffith, CFO
David Devoe
David evans(i)(vi)
Nicholas Ferguson(i)(ii)
Andrew Higginson(iii)
Allan Leighton(iii) (vii)
Thomas Mockridge
Jacques Nasser(i)(viii)
Dame Gail Rebuck(iii)(iv)
Daniel Rimer(i)
Arthur Siskind(ii)
Lord Wilson of Dinton(ii)(iv)
notes:

4

4
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
4
3
4
4
4
4

4

–
–
–
–
–
–
4
3
–
–
4
–
–
–

4

–
–
–
–
3
4
–
–
–
3
–
4
–
–

2

–
–
–
–
–
2
–
–
–
–
–
–
2
2

2

1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2
–
–
2

(i) 

(ii) 

Remuneration Committee member.

Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee member.

(iii)  Audit Committee member.

(iv) 

The Bigger Picture Committee member.

(v) 

James Murdoch was unable to attend a meeting of The Bigger Picture Committee 
due to a prior business engagement.

(vi)  David Evans was unable to attend a Board meeting and a Remuneration 

Committee meeting due to illness.

(vii)  Allan Leighton was unable to attend a Board meeting and an Audit Committee 

meeting due to a prior business engagement.

(viii)  Jacques Nasser was unable to attend a Board meeting and a Remuneration 

Committee meeting due to a meeting of the BHP Billiton Board, of which he is 
Chairman.

Due to the frequency of the Offer Committee meetings the Board 
did not meet as often as originally planned during the period under 
review.

In accordance with best practice, the independent Non-executive 
Directors of the Board held separate meetings during the year. 
The Senior Independent Director acts as an intermediary for the 
Independent Non-executive Directors when necessary.

Board role
A schedule of matters reserved for the full Board’s determination 
and/or approval is in place, which includes:

●  approval of the annual budget and any changes to it;

●  a major change in the nature, scope or scale of the business of 

the Group;

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
40

●  approval of the interim and final results;

●  approval of any dividend policy;

●  changes relating to the Group’s capital structure, including 

reductions of capital and share buy-backs;

● 

● 

the entering into by the Group of a commitment or arrangement 
(or any series of related commitments or arrangements) which, 
whether budgeted or unbudgeted, involves or could reasonably 
involve, the payment or receipt by the Group of amounts equal 
to or in excess of £100 million in aggregate value;

the entering into by the Group of a commitment or arrangement 
(or any series of related commitments or arrangements) with 
News Corporation, any of its subsidiaries, or a related party 
which involves, or could reasonably involve, the payment or 
receipt by the Group of amounts equal to or in excess of 
£25 million in aggregate value;

●  approval of resolutions to be put forward to shareholders at a 

general meeting;

●  changes to the structure, size and composition of the Board, 

following, if applicable, recommendations from any committee to 
which the Board delegates consideration of such issues;

●  appointment and removal of the Chairman of the Board and the 

CeO; and

●  determining the independence of Non-executive Directors.

The Board has also delegated specific responsibilities to Board 
committees, notably the Audit, Remuneration, Corporate 
Governance and Nominations and The Bigger Picture committees, 
as set out below. Directors receive Board and committee papers 
several days in advance of Board and committee meetings. In 
addition, the Board members have access to external professional 
advice at the Company’s expense.

A committee of senior management generally meets on a weekly 
basis to allow prompt discussion of relevant business issues. It 
is chaired by the CeO and comprises the CFO and other senior 
executives from within the Group.

Director induction and training
Following appointment to the Board, all new Directors receive an 
induction tailored to their individual requirements. The induction 
process involves meeting with all of the Company’s executive 
Directors and Senior executives. This facilitates their understanding 
of the Group and the key drivers of the business’ performance. The 
Directors are also provided with copies of the Company’s corporate 
governance practices and procedures.

Directors regularly receive additional information from the Company 
between Board meetings including a monthly report updating the 
Directors on the performance of the Group. During the financial 
year under review the monthly report was restricted to members 
of the Offer Committee. Where appropriate additional training and 
updates on particular issues are arranged.

Board evaluation
The performance of the Board is central to the Company’s success. 
An evaluation of the Board, its committees and individual Directors 

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

is undertaken on an annual basis to ensure that governance best 
practice standards are achieved and upheld.

Directors’ remuneration. The Remuneration Committee Chairman 
reports regularly to the Board on its activities.

During the year, the Directors carried out a full evaluation of the 
performance of the Board, its committees and individual Directors, 
which was led by the Chairman of the Corporate Governance 
and Nominations Committee (“CGN Committee”). each Director 
received an evaluation framework and was interviewed by the 
Chairman of the CGN Committee. The Directors were required to 
provide full, open and honest feedback in respect of their views 
on Board and committee effectiveness and the performance of 
the Directors. The evaluation of the Chairman’s contribution to 
the running of the Board was assessed by the Independent Non-
executive Directors.

A selection of some of the items the evaluation framework sought 
views on included:

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

the effectiveness of the Board;

the mix of skills and experience on the Board;

the development of the Company’s strategy;

the effectiveness of Board processes and procedures;

the links between the Board and the business;

the performance of the Board’s committees;

●  each Director’s own performance; and

● 

the performance of other Directors.

On completion of the evaluation process, the Chairman of the CGN 
Committee provided a performance report to the CGN Committee. 
The findings were debated and presented to the Board. Following 
this year’s review, the CGN Committee and the Board have 
confirmed that the Board and its committees operate effectively 
and all Directors standing for reappointment at the forthcoming 
AGM continued to perform effectively and demonstrate 
commitment to their roles.

The CGN Committee has noted the Code requirement that boards 
should be externally facilitated at least every three years and 
will take this into consideration when planning future Board 
evaluations.

Board Committees
Terms of reference for the governance of the Board committees 
can be found on the Company’s corporate website.

remuneration Committee
The members of the Remuneration Committee are Nicholas 
Ferguson (Chairman), David evans, Jacques Nasser and Daniel 
Rimer, all of whom the Board considers Independent Non-
executive Directors within the meaning of the provisions 
contained in the Code. The Remuneration Committee has clearly 
defined terms of reference, meets at least twice a year, and takes 
advice from the CeO and independent consultants as appropriate 
in carrying out its work. Following publication of the annual report, 
meetings and round-table discussions are arranged between 
the Remuneration Committee and institutional shareholders 
to discuss remuneration policy and aspects of the report on 

James Murdoch and David Devoe have a standing invitation 
to attend meetings of the Remuneration Committee. Their 
attendance at these meetings is as observers only and in a non-
voting capacity.

The report on Directors’ remuneration can be found on pages 49 
to 58. The report on Directors’ remuneration will be put forward 
for an advisory shareholder vote at the 2011 AGM.

Corporate Governance and nominations Committee
The CGN Committee is chaired by Lord Wilson of Dinton and its 
other members are Nicholas Ferguson and Arthur Siskind. The 
majority of the members of the CGN Committee are Independent 
Non-executive Directors in compliance with the Code. The 
Chairman reports regularly to the Board on its activities. Its main 
duties include:

● 

● 

● 

● 

the identification and nomination, for approval by the Board, of 
candidates to fill Board vacancies as they arise;

the drafting of requirements for a particular appointment to 
the Board, taking into consideration the present balance of 
skills, knowledge and experience on the Board;

the regular review of the structure, size and composition of 
the Board and to recommend any changes to the Board or 
succession planning;

the provision of a formal letter of appointment, setting out 
clearly what is expected of new appointees to the Board, in 
terms of time commitment, term of office and committee 
service as well as their duties and liabilities as a Director, 
including details of the Company’s corporate governance 
policies and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance cover; 
and

● 

the monitoring of the Company’s compliance with applicable 
Corporate Governance Codes and other similar requirements.

The CGN Committee led the evaluation of the Board that was 
completed during the year as discussed earlier in this report.

The CGN Committee assists the Board by keeping the composition 
of the Board under review. The CGN Committee also keeps under 
review the Board’s balance of skills, knowledge, experience and 
length of service.

Following the recent withdrawal of the News Corporation Proposal 
the CGN Committee will review the composition of the Board and 
recommend appropriate changes to strengthen the Board and its 
committees. Diversity of experience and outlook will be considered 
and a thorough and transparent appointment process will be put 
in place to ensure that the Board is appropriately strengthened. 
The CGN Committee has noted the recommendations of the 
Davies Report and will take their recommendations into account 
when considering future Board appointments.

The CGN Committee also reviewed the independence of the Non-
executive Directors and recommended to the Board that there be 
no changes to the independent status of the current Independent 
Non-executive Directors. The Non-executive Directors who are 

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Corporate governance report  

continued

considered by the Board to be independent are clearly identified 
on pages 36 to 37. The Board’s criteria for determining whether 
a Non-executive Director is independent are set out in the 
Memorandum on Corporate Governance which can be found on the 
Company’s corporate website. The CGN Committee’s review took 
into consideration the fact that Allan Leighton and David evans have 
served on the Board for more than nine years and it is the intention 
that Allan Leighton and David evans will retire at the Company’s 
2011 AGM. The CGN Committee’s review also took into consideration 
the fact that by 29 November 2011 Jacques Nasser and Dame Gail 
Rebuck will have served on the Board for nine years. Provision B.1.1 
of the Code suggests that serving more than nine years could 
be relevant to the determination of a Non-executive Director’s 
independence. The CGN Committee concluded that Mr. Nasser 
and Dame Gail Rebuck continued to demonstrate the essential 
characteristics of independence expected by the Board and that 
there are no relationships or circumstances that are likely to affect, 
or could appear to affect, their judgment.

The Board is putting in place an orderly programme for replacing 
members of the Board of Directors as they retire.

the Bigger picture Committee
The Bigger Picture Committee manages the Company’s corporate 
responsibility and community engagement programme which the 
Company has named “The Bigger Picture”.

The Bigger Picture Committee is chaired by Dame Gail Rebuck, and 
its other members are Lord Wilson of Dinton and James Murdoch. 
The Chairman of the Bigger Picture Committee reports regularly 
to the Board on its activities. The main duties of the Bigger Picture 
Committee include:

● 

● 

reviewing and approving the Bigger Picture strategy;

reviewing the reputational risk register and assigning clear 
roles and responsibilities for ensuring effective mitigation of 
identified risks;

●  seeking external stakeholders’ views on the Bigger Picture 

strategy and performance;

● 

reviewing and approving the annual reporting of Bigger Picture 
activities;

●  monitoring progress in achieving Bigger Picture objectives and 

key performance indicators;

●  ensuring the resources and skills are available to implement the 

Bigger Picture strategy; and

●  providing the Board with an overview of the social, environmental 
and ethical impacts of the Company’s activities and how they 
are being managed.

An overview of the Company’s corporate responsibility policies, 
activities and Bigger Picture approach is provided on pages 18 
to 22 of the “Directors’ report – Business review – Corporate 
responsibility”.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which consists exclusively of Independent 
Non-executive Directors in compliance with the Code, has clearly 

defined terms of reference as laid down by the Board. The 
Audit Committee is chaired by Andrew Higginson and the other 
members are Allan Leighton and Dame Gail Rebuck. The CFO 
and representatives from the external auditor and the internal 
audit department attend meetings at the request of the Audit 
Committee. The CeO and other business and finance executives 
attend meetings from time to time. The Audit Committee Chairman 
reports regularly to the Board on its activities.

David Devoe and Arthur Siskind have a standing invitation to 
attend meetings of the Audit Committee. Their attendance at these 
meetings is as observers only and in a non-voting capacity. The 
Audit Committee’s duties include:

●  making recommendations to the Board in relation to the 
appointment, reappointment and removal of the external 
auditor and discussing with the external auditor the nature, 
scope and fees for the external auditor’s work;

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding 
the approval, or any amendment to, the quarterly, half year and 
annual financial statements of the Group;

reviewing the Group’s significant accounting policies;

reviewing the Group’s systems of internal control;

reviewing the Group’s treasury policies;

recommending the appointment of the Group’s Director of 
Internal Audit;

reviewing the audit plan and findings of the Group’s internal 
audit function;

●  monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s 

internal audit function;

●  approving all non-audit services provided by the Group’s 
external auditor in accordance with the Group’s policy;

●  monitoring the Group’s whistle-blowing policy;

●  News UK Nominees Limited, a subsidiary of News Corporation, 
is a major shareholder in the Group. The Audit Committee 
receives, on a quarterly basis, a schedule of all transactions 
between companies within the News Corporation Group and 
the Group, and any other related party transactions, showing all 
transactions which have been entered into during the year and 
which cumulatively exceed £100,000 in value;

●  Audit Committee approval is required for the entering into by the 
Group of a commitment or arrangement (or any series of related 
commitments or arrangements) with News Corporation or any 
of its subsidiaries, or any other related party which involves or 
could reasonably involve the payment or receipt by the Group of 
amounts equal to or in excess of £10 million, but not exceeding 
£25 million in aggregate value with News Corporation. Any 
transaction in excess of £25 million in aggregate value must 
be submitted to the Audit Committee and, if approved by the 
Audit Committee, must also be submitted to the full Board for 
approval.

The Audit Committee members have considerable financial and 
business experience and the Board considers that the membership 

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
42

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

as a whole has sufficient recent and relevant financial experience 
to discharge its functions. In addition, the Board has determined 
that each member of the Audit Committee has sufficient 
accounting or related financial management expertise as required 
by the UK Listing Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

The Audit Committee met four times during the financial year. 
Meeting agendas were organised around the Company’s financial 
reporting cycle and items covered were as follows:

Financial management and reporting
● 

received regular updates from the CFO on the financial 
performance and financial management of the Group;

● 

● 

● 

reviewed the Company’s Annual Report, half-yearly results and 
interim management statements;

reviewed the Group’s accounting policies; and

received quarterly reports from the treasury function on the 
funding, liquidity and operational capabilities of the Group and 
compliance with treasury policies.

Internal control
●  considered the effectiveness of the Group’s internal controls 

over financial reporting;

● 

● 

● 

reviewed the internal audit department’s resources and 
annual audit plan;

reviewed quarterly reports from internal audit on the results 
of its audit work and management’s implementation of its 
recommendations;

received quarterly updates from internal audit on the status of 
Senior Accounting Officer (“SAO”) certification work to ensure 
SAO compliance; and

●  evaluated the effectiveness of the internal audit department.

external Audit matters
● 

received regular reports from the external auditor;

● 

● 

● 

reviewed and approved the 2010/11 audit work plan;

received regular updates on the use of non-audit services 
provided by the external auditor and ensured that all fees 
were approved in accordance with the Group’s policy;

reviewed the effectiveness and independence of the external 
auditor; and

●  approved the re-appointment, remuneration and engagement 

letter of the external auditor.

other
● 

reviewed quarterly security updates which include whistle-
blowing;

● 

● 

● 

reviewed quarterly related party transactions reports;

reviewed the Group’s Risk Register; and

reviewed the Group’s preparation and approach to the Bribery 
Act 2010.

The Audit Committee also received updates from finance 
departments across the Group, the Chief Technology Officer, the 
Chairman of the Data Governance Committee and the Group Head 
of Health and Safety during the year.

The external auditors have attended all meetings of the 
Audit Committee during the year. The Director: Audit and Risk 
Management has direct access to the Committee Chairman and 
the external audit partner.

Internal control and risk management
The Directors have overall responsibility for establishing and 
maintaining the Group’s systems of internal control and risk 
management and for reviewing their effectiveness. These systems 
are designed to manage, and where possible eliminate, the risk of 
failure to achieve business objectives and to provide reasonable, 
but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or 
loss. An ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing 
the significant risks faced by the Group has been established, in 
accordance with the revised guidance on internal control issued 
by the Financial Reporting Council in October 2005. This process 
has been in place for the year ended 30 June 2011 and up to the 
date on which the financial statements were approved. During 
the period under review no significant failings or weaknesses were 
identified.

The Audit Committee, on behalf of the Board, considers the 
effectiveness of the operation of the Group’s systems of internal 
control and risk management during the year and this review 
has been carried out for the year ended 30 June 2011 and up to 
the date on which the financial statements were approved. This 
review relates to the Company and its subsidiaries and does 
not extend to joint ventures. The Audit Committee meets on at 
least a quarterly basis with the Group’s Director: Audit and Risk 
Management and the external auditors.

There is a comprehensive budgeting and forecasting process, and 
the annual budget, which is regularly reviewed and updated, is 
approved by the Board. Performance is monitored against budget 
through weekly and monthly reporting cycles. During the financial 
year under review monthly reports on performance were provided 
to the members of the Offer Committee and the Group reports to 
shareholders each quarter. 

In respect of Group financial reporting, the Group finance team 
is responsible for preparing the Group financial statements and 
there are well established controls over the financial reporting 
process. These are also documented in line with the requirements 
of the SAO legislation and the controls are reviewed and signed 
off to confirm their continuous operation by the control owners 
twice a year and are independently tested by the internal audit 
team. The results of the SAO testing are reported to the Audit 
Committee on a quarterly basis.

There are risk registers which identify the risks faced by the 
Group and these are consolidated into a Group Risk Register. The 
registers detail the controls that manage the risks and, where 
necessary, the action plans to mitigate the risk exposure. The 
business develops the action plans and the internal audit team 
monitor their implementation. The Audit Committee formally 

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Corporate governance report  

continued

reviews the Group Risk Register twice a year and there is a rolling 
programme where senior executives from the business present their 
risk management plans. The Group’s principal risks and uncertainties 
are detailed in the Business Review.

The internal audit team provides objective assurance as to the 
effectiveness of the Group’s systems of internal control and risk 
management to the Group’s operating management and to the 
Audit Committee.

Disclosure controls and procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls, procedures and 
systems that are designed to ensure that information required 
to be disclosed as part of the Company’s UK listing obligations is 
accumulated and communicated to management, including the CeO 
and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required 
disclosures.

The Company has established a Disclosure Committee. The 
committee is chaired by the Company Secretary and its members 
consist of senior managers from group finance, legal and investor 
relations. It has responsibility for considering the materiality of 
information (including inside information) and, on a timely basis, 
determination of the disclosure and treatment of such information. 
The Disclosure Committee also has responsibility for overseeing 
the process for the formal review of the contents of the Company’s 
Annual Report.

Changes in internal controls
No change in the Group’s internal control over financial reporting 
has occurred during the year ended 30 June 2011 that has materially 
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Group’s 
internal control over financial reporting.

use of external auditor
The Group has a policy on the provision by the external auditor 
of audit and non-audit services, which categorises such services 
between:

● 

● 

● 

those services which the auditor is not permitted to provide;

those services which are acceptable for the auditor to provide 
and the provision of which has been pre-approved by the Audit 
Committee; and

those services for which the specific approval of the Audit 
Committee is required before the auditor is permitted to provide 
the service.

The policy defines the types of services falling under each category 
and sets out the criteria which need to be met and the internal 
approval mechanisms required to be completed prior to any 
engagement. An analysis of all services provided by the external 
auditor is reviewed by the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis.

For the year ended 30 June 2011, the Audit Committee has 
discussed the matter of audit independence with Deloitte LLP, 
the Group’s external auditor, and has received and reviewed 
confirmation in writing that, in Deloitte LLP’s professional judgment, 
Deloitte LLP is independent within the meaning of all UK regulatory 

and professional requirements and the objectivity of the audit 
engagement partner and audit staff is not impaired.

The Audit Committee was satisfied throughout the year that the 
objectivity and independence of Deloitte LLP was not in any way 
impaired by either the nature of the non-audit related services 
undertaken during the year, the level of non-audit fees charged, 
or any other facts or circumstances. Services provided during the 
year were approved by the Audit Committee. An analysis of auditor 
remuneration is disclosed in note 7 to the consolidated financial 
statements.

The appointment of Deloitte LLP as the Group’s external auditor 
(incumbents since 2002) is kept under review. The Audit Committee 
has approved the external auditor’s remuneration and terms of 
engagement and is fully satisfied with the performance, objectivity 
and independence of the external auditor. The Audit Committee has 
recommended that a resolution to reappoint the external auditor 
as the Company’s statutory auditors be proposed at the Company’s 
forthcoming AGM. The external auditor is required to rotate the 
audit partner responsible for the engagement every five years. The 
current lead partner started his term of office in relation to the 
2010/11 financial year.

Conflicts of Interest
Under UK company law, all Directors must seek authorisation before 
taking up any position with another company that conflicts, or may 
possibly conflict, with the Company’s interests. The Company’s 
articles of association contain provisions to allow the Directors 
to authorise situations of potential conflicts of interest so that a 
Director is not in breach of his duty under company law. All existing 
external appointments for each Director have been authorised by 
the Board and each authorisation is set out in a Conflicts Register. 
Directors are required to notify the Board of potential conflicts so 
that they can be considered, and if appropriate, authorised by the 
Board. In addition the CGN Committee conducts an annual review of 
Directors’ conflicts and reports its findings to the Board.

The CGN Committee reviewed the Board’s conflicts during the 
financial year and concluded that conflicts had been appropriately 
authorised and that the process for authorisation is operating 
effectively. The CGN Committee and the Board will continue to 
monitor and review potential conflicts of interest on a regular basis.

Data Governance
The Data Governance Committee (the “DG Committee”) reports to 
the Audit Committee and a committee of senior management, which 
is chaired by the Group Director of Business Performance. The DG 
Committee has the role of ensuring that appropriate procedures 
and controls are in place to ensure that the Group processes 
personal data in accordance with Data Protection laws, and that 
individuals are able to exercise their rights under such laws. A set 
of policies has been updated and further developed under the 
DG Committee to outline and promote consistent standards and 
practices in the collection and use of personal data across the 
Group. The policies also set out the responsibilities of employees in 
managing personal data and the escalation process to be followed, 
should employees become aware of any breach of policy.

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Communication with shareholders
Presentations and webcasts on the development of the 
business are available to all shareholders on the Company’s 
corporate website. The Company also uses email alerts and 
actively promotes downloading of all reports enhancing speed 
and equality of shareholder communication. The Company has 
taken full advantage of the provisions within the Companies Act 
2006 allowing the website to be used as the primary means of 
communication with shareholders where they have not requested 
hard copy documentation. The shareholder information section on 
pages 122 to 123 contains further details on electronic shareholder 
communications together with more general information of 
interest to shareholders which is also included on the Company’s 
corporate website.

The Company is committed to maintaining and improving dialogue 
with shareholders in order to ensure that the objectives of both 
the Group and the shareholders are understood.

A programme of meetings with institutional shareholders, fund 
managers and analysts takes place each year. The Company also 
makes presentations to analysts and investors around the time of 
the half-year and full-year results announcement; conference calls 
are held with analysts and investors following the announcement 
of the first quarter and third quarter results, and on occasion, 
following the announcement of the fourth quarter results, and 
presentations are made during the year to many existing or 
potential shareholders. 

During the year, in particular following the proposal from News 
Corporation, various members of the Board, including the Senior 
Independent Director, met with institutional shareholders and 
representative bodies, reinforcing the continuation of open 
dialogue and discussion of strategy between the Board and 
its shareholders. Non-executive Directors are offered the 
opportunity to attend meetings with major shareholders and are 
expected to attend if required.

The Board views the AGM as an opportunity to communicate 
with private investors and sets aside time at these meetings 
for shareholders to ask questions of the Board. At the AGM, the 
Chairman provides a brief summary of the Company’s activities 
for the previous year to the shareholders. All resolutions at the 
2010 AGM were voted by way of an electronic poll. This follows 
best practice and allows the Company to count all votes rather 
than just those of shareholders attending the meeting. As 
recommended by the Code, all resolutions were voted separately 
and the voting results, which included all votes cast for, against 
and those withheld, together with all proxies lodged prior to the 
meeting, were indicated at the meeting and the final results were 
released to the London Stock exchange as soon as practicable 
after the meeting. The announcement was also made available on 
the Company’s corporate website. As in previous years, the proxy 
form and the announcement of the voting results made it clear 
that a ‘vote withheld’ is not a vote in law and will not be counted 
in the calculation of the proportion of the votes for or against the 
resolution.

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The responsibilities of the Directors are set out on page 59.

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AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
45

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Other governance and statutory disclosures

Business review
The Companies Act 2006 requires the Company to set out in 
the Directors’ Report a fair review of the business of the Group 
during the financial year ended 30 June 2011 including an analysis 
of the position of the Group at the end of the financial year, and 
a description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the 
Group (known as a ‘Business Review’). The purpose of the Business 
Review is to enable shareholders to assess how the Directors have 
performed their duty under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006.

The information that fulfils the Business Review requirements can 
be found in the following sections of the Directors’ Report.

●  Chief executive Officer’s statement on pages 4 to 5

●  Performance KPIs on pages 6 to 7

●  Review of the business on pages 8 to 17

●  Financial and operating review on pages 29 to 35

●  Principal risks and uncertainties that face the Group are 

described on pages 24 to 28

●  Significant trends that could have a material effect on the 
performance of the Group are described on pages 34 to 35

●  People matters on pages 22 to 23

●  Community and environmental matters on pages 18 to 22.

Pages 4 to 58 inclusive (together with the sections incorporated by 
reference) consist of a Directors’ Report that has been drawn up 
and presented in accordance with and in reliance upon applicable 
english company law and the liabilities of the Directors in connection 
with that report shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions 
provided by the law.

principal activities
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is the holding company of the 
British Sky Broadcasting group of companies. The Group’s principal 
activities are detailed in the Review of the business on pages 8 to 17.

results and dividends
The profit for the year ended 30 June 2011 was £810 million 
(2010: £878 million). The Directors recommend a final dividend for 
the year ended 30 June 2011 of 14.54 pence per ordinary share 
which, together with the interim dividend of 8.74 pence paid to 
shareholders on 21 April 2011, will make a total dividend for the year 
of 23.28 pence (2010: 19.40 pence). Subject to approval at the AGM, 
the final dividend will be paid on 9 December 2011 to shareholders 
appearing on the register at the close of business on 18 November 
2011.

Share capital
The Company’s issued ordinary share capital at 30 June 2011 
comprised one class of ordinary shares. All of the issued ordinary 
shares are fully paid and rank equally in all respects. Further details 
of the Company’s share capital is disclosed in notes 26 and 27 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
46

Interests in voting rights
Information provided to the Company pursuant to the UK Listing 
Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTRs) is published 
on a Regulatory Information Service and on the Company’s website. 
As at 28 July 2011, the Company had been notified under DTR5 of the 
following significant holdings of voting rights in its shares.

Identity of person or group
News UK Nominees Limited(i)
Capital Research and Management 
Company(ii)
BlackRock, Inc.(ii)
The Capital Group Companies, Inc.(ii)
(i) 

Amount
owned
686,021,700

Percent
of class
39.14

90,751,601
87,559,067
55,977,854

5.18
4.99
3.10

Direct holding which is subject to restrictions on its voting rights (please see 
“Voting rights” below).

(ii) 

Indirect holding.

At 28 July 2011, 39.14% of the Company’s shares are held by News 
UK Nominees Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of 
england and Wales which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of 
News Corporation. As a result of Rupert Murdoch’s ability to appoint 
certain members of the Board of Directors of the corporate trustee 
of the Murdoch Family Trust, which beneficially owns less than 1% of 
News Corporation’s Class A Common Stock and 38.4% of its Class B 
Common Stock, Rupert Murdoch may be deemed to be a beneficial 
owner of the shares beneficially owned by the Murdoch Family Trust. 
Rupert Murdoch, however, disclaims any beneficial ownership of 
those shares. Also, Rupert Murdoch beneficially owns less than 1% of 
News Corporation’s Class A Common Stock and an additional 1.3% of 
its Class B Common Stock. Thus, Rupert Murdoch may be deemed to 
beneficially own in the aggregate less than 1% of News Corporation’s 
Class A Common Stock and 39.7% of its Class B Common Stock.

The employee Share Ownership Plan (“eSOP”) was established to 
satisfy awards made to participants of the Company’s employee 
share plans. The trustees of the eSOP have waived the right to 
dividends payable in respect of the shares held by it, except to the 
extent of 0.0001% of the dividend payable on each share. At 30 
June 2011, the eSOP had an interest in 13,832,609 of the Company’s 
ordinary shares. The Trustees, who are independent of the Company, 
have full discretion on how they vote the ordinary shares held by the 
eSOP.

Voting rights
The Company’s articles of association provide that subject to any 
rights or restrictions attached to any shares, on a show of hands 
every member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote, and 
on a poll every member shall have one vote for every share of which 
he is a holder. On a poll, votes may be given either personally or by 
proxy or (in the case of a corporate member) by a duly authorised 
representative.

A shareholder entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting may 
appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote instead of him. 
If a member appoints more than one proxy he must specify the 
number of shares which each proxy is entitled to exercise rights 
over. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company. Holders 
of the Company’s ordinary shares do not have cumulative voting 

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rights. A voting agreement dated 21 September 2005 was entered 
into between the Company, BSkyB Holdco Inc, News Corporation 
and News UK Nominees Limited which became unconditional on 
4 November 2005 and caps News UK Nominees Limited’s voting 
rights at any general meeting at 37.19%. The provisions of the 
voting agreement cease to apply on the first to occur of a number 
of circumstances which include the date on which a general offer 
is made by an independent person (as defined in the voting 
agreement) for the ordinary share capital of the Company.

restrictions on transfer of securities
There are no specific restrictions on the transfer of securities in 
the Company, which is governed by the articles of association and 
prevailing legislation, nor is the Company aware of any agreements 
between holders of securities that may result in restrictions on 
the transfer of securities or that may result in restrictions on 
voting rights.

Variation of rights
Subject to the Companies Act 2006, rights attached to any class 
of shares may be varied with the consent in writing of the holders 
of three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of the 
class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a 
separate general meeting of the shareholders.

Directors’ powers in relation to the Company issuing 
and buying back its own shares
The Directors were granted authority at the 2010 AGM to allot 
relevant securities up to a nominal amount of £289,000,000. 
This authority will apply until the conclusion of this year’s AGM. 
An ordinary resolution to renew the Directors’ authority will 
be proposed at the 2011 AGM. A special resolution will also 
be proposed to renew the Directors’ powers to make non-
pre-emptive issues for cash in connection with rights issues and 
otherwise up to a nominal amount of £43,500,000.

On 28 July 2011, the Board agreed to seek the necessary approvals 
to return £750 million of capital to shareholders via a share 
buy-back programme. Shareholder approvals will be sought at 
the Company’s AGM on 29 November 2011. The Company has 
entered into an agreement with News Corporation under which, 
following any market purchases of shares by the Company, News 
Corporation will sell to the Company sufficient shares to maintain 
its percentage shareholding at the same level as applied prior to 
those market purchases. The price payable to News Corporation 
will be the price payable by the Company in respect of the 
relevant market purchases. The agreement is conditional on the 
appropriate shareholder approvals being granted. The effect of 
the agreement is to provide that there will be no change in News 
Corporation’s economic or voting interests in the Company as a 
result of the share buy-back programme.

Articles of association
The Company’s articles of association may only be amended by 
special resolution at a general meeting of shareholders. 

Board of Directors
The names and biographical details of the Directors of the 
Company are given on pages 36 to 37. There were no changes to 
the Board of Directors during the financial year.

The Directors’ interests in the ordinary shares and options 
of the Company are disclosed within the report on Directors’ 
remuneration on pages 49 to 58.

Appointment and retirement of Directors
The Directors may from time to time appoint one or more 
Directors. Any such Director shall hold office only until the 
next AGM and shall then be eligible for reappointment by the 
Company’s shareholders. The Company’s current articles of 
association state that one-third of the Directors must retire by 
rotation each year. Any Director who has served more than three 
three-year terms (other than those holding an executive position) 
is subject to annual reappointment.

At the Company’s 2011 AGM all current executive and Non-
executive Directors will retire. It is the intention that Allan Leighton 
and David evans will not seek reappointment but all the other 
executive Directors and Non-executive Directors will offer 
themselves for reappointment in accordance with provision B.7.1 of 
the Code.

Significant agreements
Details of any significant agreements that take effect, alter or 
terminate on a change of control of the Company, are disclosed in 
the review of the business on pages 16 and 17.

payment policy
The policy of the Group is to agree terms of payment with 
suppliers prior to entering into a contractual relationship. In the 
absence of a specific agreement, it is the policy of the Group to 
pay suppliers in accordance with its standard payment terms of 
45 days. The Group had below 45 days’ purchases outstanding at 
30 June 2011 (2010: below 45 days), based on the total amount 
invoiced by non programme trade suppliers during the year ended 
30 June 2011. Programme creditors include significant balances 
which are not yet contractually due. In respect of amounts both 
contractually due and invoiced, the outstanding number of days’ 
purchases is below 45 days (2010: below 45 days).

Financial instruments
Details of the Group’s use of financial instruments, together with 
information on our financial risk management objectives and 
policies, and our exposure to financial risks can be found in note 25 
to the consolidated financial statements.

Charitable contributions and community and 
environmental activities
The Bigger Picture Review, which does not form part of the 
Annual Report, will be made available online in October 2011, and 
will provide further information on the Group’s commitment to 
corporate responsibility, including community and environmental 
activities (see www.sky.com/thebiggerpicture). An overview 
of the Group’s Bigger Picture approach, including community 

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
47

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Other governance and statutory disclosures 

continued

Disclosure of information to auditors
In accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies 
Act 2006, each of the persons who are Directors of the Company at 
the date of approval of this report confirms that:

●  so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit 

information (as defined in the Companies Act 2006) of which the 
Company’s auditor is unaware; and

● 

the Director has taken all the steps that he/she ought to 
have taken as a Director to make himself/herself aware of any 
relevant audit information (as defined) and to establish that the 
Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

Auditors
Deloitte LLP, the auditors of the Company, have expressed their 
willingness to continue in office. A resolution to reappoint them as 
the Company’s auditors and to authorise the Directors to determine 
their remuneration will be proposed at the forthcoming AGM.

Annual General meeting
The notice convening the AGM, to be held at The Queen elizabeth II 
Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3ee 
on 29 November 2011 at 11.00am, is available for download from the 
Company’s corporate website at www.sky.com/corporate.

By order of the Board,
Dave Gormley
Company Secretary
28 July 2011

and environmental activities is also provided in the review of the 
business on pages 18 to 22.

During the financial year the Group gave a total of £4,254,379 
(2010: £3,840,454) in charitable donations in the form of cash. 
These donations were for the purpose of supporting Bigger Picture 
activities focusing on responsibility, environment, sport and arts.

●  Responsibility: as a responsible business Sky wants to play 
its part in the communities where it operates and where its 
employees live and work. The Group gave a total of £301,856 
to support community activities during the year. This figure 
includes matched employee fundraising activities and matched 
payroll giving;

●  environment: the Group gave a total of £1,175,655 to activities 
that help protect the environment and tackle climate change 
through charitable donations to organisations such as WWF and 
Global Action Plan;

●  Arts: the Group gave £862,514 to activities which make the arts 
more accessible through charitable donations to organisations 
such as Artichoke and english National Ballet; and

●  Sport: the Group gave £1,914,354 to encourage participation 

in sport through donations to organisations such as the Youth 
Sport Trust and British Cycling.

The Group’s total community investment (cash, time and 
management costs) will be published in the Bigger Picture Review 
referred to above.

political contributions
Political contributions of the Group in the UK during 2011 amounted 
to nil (2010: £3,800).

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to 
affect its future development, performance and position are set out 
in the review of the business on pages 8 to 17. The financial position 
of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity position are described in 
the financial and operating review on pages 29 to 35. In addition, 
notes 23, 24 and 25 to the consolidated financial statements 
include details of the Group’s treasury activities, long term funding 
arrangements, financial instruments and hedging activities and 
exposure to financial risk.

As set out above, the Group has sufficient financial resources which, 
together with internally generated cash flows, will continue to 
provide sufficient sources of liquidity to fund its current operations, 
including its contractual and commercial commitments as set out 
on pages 102 to 103, its approved capital expenditure and any 
proposed dividends, and the Group is well placed to manage its 
business risks successfully, despite the current economic outlook.

After making enquiries, the Directors have formed the judgment, at 
the time of approving the consolidated financial statements, that 
there is a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable 
future. For this reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
48

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Report on Directors’ remuneration

The Chief executive and the Director for People provide 
information to the Committee on remuneration but not in respect 
of their own remuneration. The Committee is supported by the 
Company Secretary, Finance and Human Resources functions. 
In addition to the regular meetings with its shareholders, the 
Company holds a specific formal annual consultation meeting 
with a range of institutional investors, concerning aspects of the 
Committee’s policy, and has taken their advice into account in 
arriving at remuneration decisions.

3. remuneration Committee
role of the remuneration Committee and terms of 
reference

The Committee is responsible for recommendations to the Board 
regarding:

● 

● 

● 

the design and implementation of incentive compensation 
arrangements including share-based schemes;

remuneration packages for executive Directors of the 
Company including basic salary, performance-based bonus 
and long-term incentives, pensions and other benefits;

the Company’s policy on remuneration for Board Directors. It 
also reviews the proposals made by the CeO for other Senior 
executives; and

●  any payments or benefits offered to employees in excess of 
£250,000 which do not form part of an employee’s expected 
remuneration or benefits require the approval of the 
Committee.

The full terms of reference for the Committee are available on the 
Company’s corporate website.

remuneration policy overview
● 

In setting remuneration policy and levels, the Remuneration 
Committee (the “Committee”) is guided by the performance of 
the Company, relevant external factors and the responsibility 
it has to shareholders in line with good governance practice.

●  The Company’s objective on pay policy is to reward people 

fairly and competitively in line with performance and in order 
to attract and retain the best people. For executive Directors, 
remuneration is heavily geared to the achievement of 
challenging objectives and targets that directly align executive 
and shareholder interests.

●  This year has seen tough market conditions prevail, however, 
the Company has continued to outperform and has delivered 
an excellent level of growth despite the economic environment. 

●  executive reward for this achievement is delivered 

through performance based incentives, rather than fixed 
pay, continuing the Committee’s principle of paying for 
performance. As a consequence the ratio of fixed pay to 
variable pay remains one of the lowest in the FTSe 100.

●  The Committee is also mindful of the overall Company policy 
on pay and supports executive and senior management pay 
changes in that context. It is supportive of the Company’s 
stance on linking pay to performance across the Company and 
notes the improvement of linking annual employee reviews to 
pay. 

●  Shareholders should note that in circumstances in which 
there is significant share price out-performance, reported 
compensation in a single period may appear higher than 
market norms, since total remuneration is so heavily geared 
towards variable pay.

1. membership of the remuneration Committee
During the year ended 30 June 2011, the Committee met four times 
and was comprised of the following Independent Non-executive 
Directors:

●  Nicholas Ferguson (Chairman)

●  David evans

●  Jacques Nasser

●  Daniel Rimer

2. Advisors
Hewitt New Bridge Street (HNBS) has been appointed by the 
Committee to act as the advisors. HNBS advises on all aspects of 
senior executive remuneration and has no other connection with 
the Company other than in the provision of advice on executive 
and employee remuneration. HNBS is now wholly-owned by Aon 
Corporation and while other companies within the Aon group do 
undertake material non-remuneration work for the Company, 
the Committee does not believe that the independence of HNBS 
is compromised in any way. executives were not present when 
matters affecting their remuneration were considered.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
49

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Report on Directors’ remuneration 

continued

4. elements of executive Director and Senior executive pay
4.1 remuneration paid to the executive Directors is made up as follows:

Fixed Pay

Basic salary
(see section 4.2)

pension and other benefits
(sections 4.3 and 4.4)

variable Pay

Annual bonus 
(section 4.5)

Payable against achievement of 
short-term objectives set during  
the year

1 year

long term Incentive plan 
(ltIp) award 
(section 4.6)

Payable against achievement of 
stretching long-term objectives

3 years

Co-Investment ltIp award
(section 4.7)

Only operates if employee invests  
own money to buy shares. Company 
matches shares with an LTIP award 
which vests after 3 years if 
performance conditions are met

3 years

Performance Period

Conditions

Salaries reviewed annually

Salaries reviewed against external 
benchmarks and against individual 
performance

Not applicable

Not applicable

Targets set by the Committee for:
• Operating profit
• Operating cash flow
• Customer net growth

For awards vesting in 2011:
•  30% subject to TSR performance vs. 

the FTSe 100 over 3 years

•  70% subject to 3 year operational 

targets

For awards vesting in 2013:
•  100% subject to 3 year operational 

targets  
(see section 4.6 vesting of LTIP 
Awards)

Operational Targets for all LTIP awards:
• ePS
• Operating cash flow
• Revenue growth

The number of invested shares is 
matched up to a maximum of 1.5 
shares for every 1 invested, subject to 
a 3 year ePS performance condition. 
The investment eligible to receive 
matching awards is limited to an 
amount equivalent to 50% of an 
individual’s gross annual bonus.

notes:

Operating profit, operating cash flow, EPS and revenue growth are generally defined as adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating cash flow, adjusted EPS and adjusted revenue 
growth, however the Committee will review the measures and may amend definitions at its discretion.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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remuneration mix
The charts below show the relative weight of the elements making 
up the remuneration mix.

During the year, the Committee reviewed the Company’s pension 
policy for its executive Directors and has given Jeremy Darroch a 
cash supplement of £61,253.

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TARGET REMUNERATION
Average of Executive Directors

MAXIMUM REMUNERATION
Average of Executive Directors

Fixed Pay

Fixed Pay

LTIP

Maximum
Bonus

Target
Bonus

LTIP

notes to chart:

Target performance assumes target annual bonus and minimum level of vesting 
under the LTIP.

The Pension Plan has income protection of up to two-thirds salary, 
or £300,000 and insured death in service of up to one-third salary, 
which can be taken entirely as a pension, or 50% lump sum and 50% 
pension, or entirely as a lump sum, subject to the lifetime allowance.

The Pension Plan also has enhanced Life Assurance cover up to 
four times annual salary, for those employees who decide not to 
join the Pension Plan they receive Life Assurance of two times 
annual salary.

4.4 other benefits

executive Directors are entitled to the use of a company car and 
along with all employees, private medical insurance.

Variable pay
The Committee maintains that performance-related elements 
of pay will represent a higher proportion of total remuneration 
than market norms. As a result, a large amount of pay is at risk 
and therefore, pay is only competitive if the Company’s stretching 
targets are achieved.

Maximum performance assumes maximum annual bonus and maximum vesting 
under the LTIP.

4.5 Annual bonus

• 

• 

• 

• 

The LTIP assumes maximum investment into the co-investment element.

The LTIP ignores share price growth.

Fixed pay
Fixed pay is below market norms for executive Directors.

4.2 Basic salary

The Committee annually reviews basic salaries for executive 
Directors and Senior executives against a subset of the FTSe 100 
as its benchmark. The benchmarking group is comprised of 20 
companies of a similar size. It also takes into consideration the pay 
principles applied elsewhere in the Company.

The Committee has reviewed salary levels for 2011, and awarded 
Jeremy Darroch an increase of 5.3% to £935,000 and Andrew 
Griffith an increase of 5% to £573,500 from 1 July 2011.

Following the salary increases awarded on 1 July 2011 the executive 
Directors’ salaries are at the median of the comparator benchmark 
data.

4.3 pensions

The Company operates a single pension plan, the BSkyB Pension 
Plan (“Pension Plan”), to all eligible employees. The Pension Plan 
is a defined contribution plan. executive Directors contribute 4% 
of pensionable salary (basic salary less the pension offset) into 
the Pension Plan each year and the Company matches this with a 
contribution of 8% of pensionable salary. For executive Directors 
this contribution rate is well below market norms. The Group has 
no legacy defined benefit plans.

For the CeO, the maximum bonus that may be awarded is 200% of 
salary and for the CFO, the maximum bonus that may be awarded 
is 150% of salary.

For the year ended 30 June 2011, the operational measures that 
governed bonus were operating profit, free cash flow and Tv 
customer growth. Performance during the past year was very 
strong and the Company exceeded each of the targets set. As 
a result, the CeO and CFO were awarded the following bonus 
payments:

Jeremy Darroch
Andrew Griffith

Bonus
 amount
(£)
1,776,000
819,000

As a
% of salary
200%
150%

For the year ending 30 June 2012 the operational measures that 
govern bonus payouts will be operating profit, operating cash flow 
and customer net growth. The Committee believes this change 
simplifies and aligns targets with the Company’s strategy. The 
cash flow measure is now the same as the LTIP. The change to 
customer net growth includes customers across all areas rather 
than just one specific area of growth.

The Committee retains the discretion to adjust payouts either up 
or down as an exception, if they feel that an important aspect of 
performance has not been reflected.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
51

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Report on Directors’ remuneration 

The specifics of the measures and targets are as follows:

i) Operational targets

In the event of a change of control the Committee has the discretion 
on how awards will vest under the plan.

The operational performance conditions for the LTIP are ePS growth, 
operating cash flow and revenue growth. ePS provides a measure 
of shareholder return that is measureable over time. Operating 
cash flow measures the underlying health of the business. Revenue 
growth is a key measure of how the Group is delivering on its 
strategy to grow the business.

Points are awarded for performance on three operational measures 
as follows:

ConDItIonS For AwArDS VeStInG In 2011

Performance conditions

epS growth

Performance
Achieved

Points 
awarded

operating cash flow
Performance
achieved
(% of target)

Points
awarded

revenue growth

Performance
achieved
(% of target)

Points
awarded

RPI +8% pa
RPI +7% pa
RPI +6% pa
RPI +5% pa
RPI +4% pa
RPI +3% pa
Less than
RPI +3% pa

105%
or more
100%
95%
90%
85%
75%
Less than
75%

10
8
6
4
2
1

0

105%
or more
100%
95%
90%
85%
75%
Less than
75%

10
8
6
4
2
1

0

10
8
6
4
2
1

0

The total number of points awarded governs the extent of vesting 
of the operational portion, according to a straight-line vesting 
schedule:

Resulting vesting for awards vesting in 2011

Total points achieved
Less than 1
1
1-21

21 or more

% of
operational portion
0%
10%
10% – 100% on a
straight-line basis
100%

% of
overall award
0%
7%
7% – 70% on a
straight-line basis
70%

epS growth
Actual points awarded
10

Actual Points Awarded
operating Cash Flow
Actual points awarded Actual points awarded

revenue growth

10

8.49

continued

4.6 ltIp

The Company operates an LTIP for executive Directors and Senior 
executives. Awards are:

●  subject to stretching performance conditions.

●  made to any employee or full-time executive Director of the 

Group at the discretion of the Committee.

●  normally made as a nil priced option.

●  not transferable or pensionable.

●  made over a number of shares in the Company, determined by 

the Committee.

●  usually satisfied using shares purchased by the Company in the 

market.

The Committee believes that conditional performance share awards 
continue to be the best long-term incentive vehicle for executive 
Directors and Senior executives.

Design of ltIp 
Grants are made every year and vesting occurs every two years. In 
the first year, an executive may be granted an award of shares that 
vests at the end of a three-year period, subject to performance 
conditions. In the second year a further discretionary award of up 
to and normally no more than 100% of the year one award may be 
granted. This award vests at the same time as the year one award. 
The grant is made in terms of a number of shares as opposed 
to a monetary value and therefore its value may fluctuate with 
movements in the share price.

How the ltIp operates
Performance conditions for LTIP
The Committee reviews the performance conditions for the LTIP 
from time to time to ensure that they remain appropriate.

Vesting of LTIP awards
The awards vest, in full or in part, dependent on satisfying 
performance targets measured over three years. Performance 
targets are calibrated to ensure the achievement of Sky’s stretching 
long-term goals, and the cumulative total points achieved governs 
vesting.

For the awards made in 2008 and 2009 (which will vest in 2011), 70% 
of the award is dependent on operational measures, while 30% is 
governed by TSR performance.

For the awards made in 2010 and any awards made in 2011 (which 
will vest in 2013), 100% of the award is dependent on operational 
measures. TSR is not a measure of performance for awards vesting 
in 2013 as the Company’s share price at the time of grant was 
materially impacted by the possible bid from News Corporation. 

For existing and future awards granted under the Company’s LTIP, 
the period during which participants, still employed by the Company, 
will be entitled to exercise their shares following the vesting of their 
awards will be increased to five years.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
52

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

The number of points awarded exceeded 21; therefore, 100% of the 
operational portion of the LTIP vested in accordance with the table 
above.

ii) 30% based on TSR Performance

The Company’s TSR performance is measured relative to the 
constituents of the FTSe 100. If the Company’s TSR performance 
is below median, the TSR element of the award lapses with no 
vesting. For median performance, one-third of the TSR portion of 
the award vests. For performance in the upper quartile, the whole 
TSR portion of the award vests. For performance between median 
and upper quartile, vesting is on a straight-line basis, as shown in 
the chart below:

TSR VESTING SCHEDULE

Payout
(% of grant)

30

10

i

n
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M

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l
i
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a
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Q

r
e
p
p
U

Below
Median

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

Final TSR rank (%)

TSR
Performance

Payout

Below Median

50%

55%

60%

65%

70%

75%

100%

0%

10%

14%

18%

22%

26%

30%

30%

TSR calculations are conducted independently by HNBS, employing 
a methodology which averages share prices over the three months 
prior to the start and the three months prior to the end of the 
three-year performance period.

ConDItIonS For AwArDS VeStInG In 2013

epS growth

Performance
Achieved

Points
awarded

Performance conditions
operating cash flow
Performance
achieved
(% of target)

Points
awarded

revenue growth

Performance
achieved
(% of target)

Points
awarded

RPI +8% pa
RPI +7% pa
RPI +6% pa
RPI +5% pa
RPI +4% pa
RPI +3% pa
Less than
RPI +3% pa

105%
or more
100%
95%
90%
85%
75%
Less than
75%

10
8
6
4
2
1

0

105%
or more
100%
95%
90%
85%
75%
Less than
75%

10
8
6
4
2
1

0

At the outset of the potential bid from News Corporation, the 
Independent Non-executive Directors of the Board reviewed and 
discussed the retention of the executive Directors and agreed to 
pay an additional bonus to the executive Directors at 31 July 2011. 
It was subsequently agreed that this would be paid in the form 
of an additional LTIP award subject to the above performance 
conditions. As a consequence Jeremy Darroch will be granted an 
award of 300,000 shares and Andrew Griffith will be granted an 
award of 135,000 shares.

4.7. Co-Investment ltIp 

The Company operates a Co-Investment LTIP, where matching 
shares are provided via the LTIP for executive Directors and 
Senior executives and via the Management LTIP for other selected 
employees. The Committee believes that awards under the Co-
Investment facility further align executives with shareholders by 
promoting the ownership of Company shares. Awards are granted 
annually.

Participants in the plan invest their own money in the Company’s 
shares and then are granted a conditional matching award of 
Company shares based on the amount they have invested. These 
matching shares vest at the end of a three-year period, subject to 
achieving ePS targets. The shares are matched up to a maximum 
of 1.5 shares for every one share invested on a pre-tax basis. The 
investment eligible to receive matching shares is limited to an 
amount equivalent to 50% of a participant’s gross annual bonus.

Performance conditions
Awards are subject to ePS growth targets. ePS growth of RPI +3% 
p.a. is required for vesting at target (1x match) with growth of RPI 
+6% for maximum (1.5x match); straight-line vesting will apply for 
achievement levels between 3% and 6%.

As participants have invested their own money in the Company’s 
shares they are exposed to downside risk throughout the 
three-year period.

5. other share plans
5.1 management long-term Incentive plan  
(“management ltIp”)

10
8
6
4
2
1

0

The Company also operates a Management LTIP, which replaced 
options granted under the executive Share Option Scheme. 
Selected employees participate in the Management LTIP, but this 
does not include any executive Directors or Senior executives who 
participate in the LTIP. Awards under this scheme are made at the 
discretion of the CeO. To date, the Management LTIP has mirrored 
the LTIP for executive Directors and Senior executives, with the 
same performance conditions.

100% of the award that vests in 2013 is dependent on operational 
measures.

5.2 Sharesave Scheme

The Company will re-introduce the TSR measure for the 2012 
awards.

2011 ltIp awards 

As part of the 2011 LTIP grant cycle Jeremy Darroch will be granted 
an award of 600,000 shares and Andrew Griffith will be granted an 
award of 320,000 shares. 

The Sharesave Scheme is open to UK and Irish employees. Options 
are normally exercisable after either three or five years from 
the date of grant. The price at which options are offered is not 
less than 80% of the middle-market price on the dealing day 
immediately preceding the date of invitation. It is the policy of the 
Group to make an invitation to employees to participate in the 
scheme following the announcement of the year-end results.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
53

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Report on Directors’ remuneration 

continued

On termination of the agreement, both executive Directors will be 
entitled to one year’s salary, pension and life assurance benefits 
from the date of termination and a pro rata bonus up to the date 
of termination. In the instance of the termination of an executive 
Director’s employment for cause, he would be paid salary and 
benefits up to the date of termination but this would not include 
any pro-rata bonus.

7. non-executive Directors
There has been a 5% increase in the basic fees payable to the Non-
executive Directors and the Chairman set by the Board of Directors 
for the financial year ending 30 June 2012; basic fees are £56,500 
(2011: £53,800). Furthermore, the Non-executive Directors will be 
paid an additional £10,000 (2011: £10,000) per annum each for 
membership of the Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee, 
the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee and The 
Bigger Picture Committee. The Chairman and the Chairmen of the 
Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee, the Corporate 
Governance and Nominations Committee and The Bigger Picture 
Committee each receives an additional £25,000 per annum (2011: 
£25,000). The Deputy Chairman will receive an additional fee of 
£40,000 (2011: £25,000). The Senior Independent Director will 
receive an additional fee of £20,000 per annum (2011: £20,000). 
each Non-executive Director is engaged by the Company for an 
initial term of three years. Reappointment for a further term is not 
automatic, but may be mutually agreed.

Following the proposal received from News Corporation, the 
Board established an Offer Committee of the Board comprising 
the Independent Non-executive and executive Directors of the 
Board. It has been agreed that the Non-executive Directors be paid 
additional fees of £10,000 per annum for membership of the Offer 
Committee, plus £25,000 per annum for the Chairman of the Offer 
Committee inclusive of the role of Deputy Chairman. On 13 July 2011 
News Corporation announced that it no longer intended to make 
an offer for the entire issued share capital of the Company and the 
Offer Committee was subsequently disbanded on 28 July 2011.

8. performance graph
The following graph shows the Company’s performance measured 
by TSR in the five years to 30 June 2011. This graph shows the 
growth in the value of a hypothetical £100 holding in the Company’s 
ordinary shares over five years, relative to three indices, which are 
considered to be the most relevant broad equity market indices for 
this purpose. The graph is included to meet a legislative requirement 
and is not directly relevant to the performance criteria approved by 
shareholders for the Company’s long-term incentive plans.

5.3 20 year Award plan

A one-off grant of 100 shares was made to all employees in 2009 
to celebrate the Company’s 20th anniversary. These shares will 
be delivered in February 2012. They are not subject to any further 
performance condition other than continued employment.

5.4 executive Share option Schemes (“executive Schemes”)

The Company has in place Approved and Unapproved executive 
Share Option Schemes under HMRC guidelines. executive Directors 
and Senior executives who participate in the LTIP do not participate 
in the executive Schemes. No options have been granted since 2004.

6. Service agreements
policy

The Committee’s stated policy is that executive Directors’ service 
agreements will contain a maximum notice period of one year. The 
Committee will also consider, where appropriate to do so, reducing 
remuneration to a departing Director. However, the Committee will 
consider such issues on a case-by-case basis and will consider the 
terms of employment of a departing Director. A large proportion 
of each executive Director’s total direct remuneration is linked to 
performance and therefore will not be payable to the extent that 
the relevant targets are not met.

jeremy Darroch
Jeremy Darroch’s initial service contract as CFO with the Company 
commenced on 16 August 2004 and his service contract was revised 
with effect from 7 December 2007 when he became CeO. The new 
agreement shall continue unless, or until, terminated by either 
party giving to the other not less than 12 months’ notice in writing. 
Jeremy Darroch will be paid a bonus amount depending upon the 
performance criteria adopted by the Committee for each financial 
year during the continuance of his service agreement with the 
Company.

Jeremy Darroch is a Non-executive Director of Marks and Spencer 
Group plc and retained fees for this appointment of £79,000 for the 
year ended 30 June 2011.

Andrew Griffith
Andrew Griffith has a service agreement with the Company that 
commenced on 7 April 2008 and shall continue unless, or until, 
terminated by either party giving to the other not less than 12 
months’ notice in writing. Andrew Griffith will be paid a bonus 
amount depending upon the performance criteria adopted by the 
Committee for each financial year during the continuance of his 
service agreement with the Company.

Both executive Directors are also entitled to other benefits, namely 
pension benefits, company car, life assurance equal to four times 
base salary, medical insurance and an entitlement to participate in 
the LTIP.

each executive Director has a non-compete clause in his service 
agreement specifying that he shall not be able to work for any 
business or prospective business carried on within the UK, which 
wholly or partially competes with the Group’s businesses at the date 
of termination of his agreement. Such restriction will be for a period 
of 12 months.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
54

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BreAkDown oF SHAreHolDer return From 1 july 
2006 to 30 june 2011

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
Jun-06

BSkyB
FTSE 100
FTSE 350 Media
NYSE TMT

Jun-07

Jun-08

Jun-09

Jun-10

Jun-11

Source: Thomson Financial & NYSE

9. Share interests
The Company encourages the Non-executive Directors to build 
up a holding in the Company’s shares and has introduced a facility 
whereby Non-executive Directors can elect to receive a portion of 
their fees in Sky shares. Shares are purchased on a monthly basis 
in the market.

The Directors who are deemed to be affiliated with News 
Corporation (James Murdoch, David Devoe, Thomas Mockridge 
and Arthur Siskind) are not allowed to participate in the facility. 
This is due to the fact that under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code they 
would be deemed to be acting in concert with News Corporation if 
they were to purchase shares in the Company and this would place 
News Corporation under an obligation to make a mandatory offer 
for all of the issued share capital of the Company.

The interests of the Directors in the ordinary share capital of the 
Company during the year and as at 28 July 2011 were:

Name of Director
Jeremy Darroch
David evans
Nicholas Ferguson
Andrew Griffith
Andrew Higginson
Allan Leighton
Jacques Nasser
Dame Gail Rebuck
Daniel Rimer
Lord Wilson of Dinton
This table is audited.

At
28 July
2011
230,046

At
30 June
2011
230,046

19,188(i)
12,312
57,093
4,557
8,244
2,947
2,292
10,286
2,840

19,068(i)
12,239
57,093
4,485
8,054
2,840
2,219
9,876
2,764

At
30 June
2010
170,379

17,651(i)
11,224
34,492
3,447
4,673
1,607
1,234
4,359
1,730

(i) 

16,000 ordinary shares held in the form of 4,000 ADSs, one ADS is equivalent to 
four ordinary shares.

except as disclosed in this report, no other Director held any 
interest in the share capital, including options, of the Company, or 
of any subsidiary of the Company, during the year. All interests at 
the date shown are beneficial.

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During the year ended 30 June 2011, the share price traded within 
the range of 693.50 to 849.00 pence per share. The middle-market 
closing price on the last trading day of the financial year was 
849.00 pence.

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AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
55

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Report on Directors’ remuneration 

continued

10. Directors’ remuneration
The emoluments of the Directors for the year are shown below:

Salary and
fees
£

Bonus
scheme
£

Benefits
£

Total
emoluments
before
pension
2011
£

Total
emoluments
including
pension
2011
£

Total
emoluments
including
pension 
2010
£

employers
pensions
£

888,000
546,000

1,776,000
819,000

73,562(i)
15,985

2,737,562
1,380,985

50,992
43,274

2,788,554
1,424,259

2,678,744
1,235,909

88,800
53,800
74,339
155,685
99,339
53,922
53,800
74,339
109,339
74,339
63,800
109,339

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2,444,841 2,595,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
89,547

88,800
53,800
74,339
155,685
99,339
53,922
53,800
74,339
109,339
74,339
63,800
109,339
5,129,388

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
94,266

88,800
53,800
74,339
155,685
99,339
53,922
53,800
74,339
109,339
74,339
63,800
109,339
5,223,654

87,500
52,500
62,500
117,500
87,500
87,500
52,500
62,500
97,500
56,782
62,500
97,500
4,838,935

executive
Jeremy Darroch
Andrew Griffith

Non-executive
James Murdoch
David Devoe
David evans
Nicholas Ferguson
Andrew Higginson
Allan Leighton
Thomas Mockridge
Jacques Nasser
Dame Gail Rebuck
Daniel Rimer
Arthur Siskind
Lord Wilson of Dinton
total emoluments
This table is audited.

notes:

(i) 

Jeremy Darroch was given a pension supplement of £61,253 during the financial year following a review of the Company’s pension policy by the Remuneration Committee. See 
section 4.3 for further information.

11. long term Incentive plan
Details of all outstanding awards held under the LTIP are shown below:

Number of shares under award

At
30 June
2010
600,000
600,000
–
320,000
320,000
–

Granted
during
the year
–
–

600,000(i)

–
–

320,000(i)

exercised
during
the year
–
–
–
–
–
–

Lapsed
during
the year
–
–
–
–
–
–

At
30 June
2011
600,000
600,000
600,000
320,000
320,000
320,000

exercise
price
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Market price
at date
of exercise
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Date of
Award
31.07.08
26.08.09
29.07.10
31.07.08
26.08.09
29.07.10

Date 
from which
exercisable
31.07.11
31.07.11
29.07.13
31.07.11
31.07.11
29.07.13

expiry date(ii)
31.07.16
31.07.16
29.07.18
31.07.16
31.07.16
29.07.18

Name of Director
Jeremy Darroch

Andrew Griffith

This table is audited.

notes:

The aggregate value received by the Directors on exercise of the LTIP before tax was £nil (2010: £10,506,763).

See performance conditions for LTIP on page 50.

(i) 

(ii) 

The market price of the shares at the time the shares were awarded was 711p.

Following the vesting of awards, participants, still employed by the Company, will have five years to exercise their shares.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

12. Co-Investment plan
Details of all outstanding awards held under the Co-Investment Plan are shown below:

Number of shares under award

Name of Director
Jeremy Darroch

At
30 June
2010
204,425(i)

Granted
during
the year
–

–

183,935(ii)

Andrew Griffith

75,506(iii)

–

–

69,672(iv)

This table is audited.

notes:

exercised
during
the year
–
–
–
–

Lapsed
during
the year
–
–
–
–

At
30 June
2011
204,425
183,935
75,506
69,672

exercise
price
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Market price
at date
of exercise
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Date of
Award
27.08.09
31.08.10
27.08.09
31.08.10

Date 
from which
exercisable expiry date
27.08.17
31.08.18
27.08.17
31.08.18

27.08.12
31.08.13
27.08.12
31.08.13

See performance conditions for the Co-Investment Plan on page 50.

(i) 

(ii) 

Jeremy Darroch holds 79,848 shares as a match under this award.

Jeremy Darroch holds 59,667 shares as a match under this award.

(iii)  Andrew Griffith holds 29,492 shares as a match under this award.

(iv) 

Andrew Griffith holds 22,601 shares as a match under this award.

13. executive Share options
Details of all outstanding options held under the executive Schemes are shown below:

Number of shares under award

At
30 June
2010
3,030(ii)
25,222
40,025
44,184
19,819(ii)

Granted
during
the year
–
–
–
–
–

exercised
during
the year
–
–
–
–
–

Lapsed
during
the year
3,030
25,222
–
–
–

At
30 June
2011
–
–
40,025
44,184
19,819

exercise
price
£9.90
£9.90
£7.94
£6.62
£5.03

Market price
at date
of exercise
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Date 
from which
exercisable expiry date
23.11.10
23.11.10
06.11.11
01.09.13
06.08.14

23.11.03
23.11.03
06.11.04
01.09.07
06.08.08

Name of Director
Andrew Griffith(i)

This table is audited.

notes:

(i) 

(ii) 

These are all awards that are outstanding following Andrew Griffith’s appointment as a Director on 7 April 2008. As a reminder, the Company has not made any Executive 
Share Option awards to any employee since 2004.

These options vested following the achievement of the performance target, being the growth in Sky’s EPS being equal to or greater than the increase in RPI plus 3% 
per annum.

14. Sharesave Scheme options
Details of all outstanding awards held under the Sharesave Scheme are shown below:

Name of Director
Jeremy Darroch
Andrew Griffith
This table is audited.

At
30 June
2010
3,591
2,580

Number of shares under award
exercised
during
the year
–
–

Granted
during
the year
–
–

At
30 June
2011
3,591
2,580

Options under the Company’s Sharesave Scheme are not subject to performance conditions.

exercise
price
£4.33
£3.72

Market price
at date
of exercise
n/a
n/a

Date 
from which
exercisable expiry date
01.08.15
01.08.12

01.02.15
01.02.12

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
57

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DIReCTORS’ RePORT – GOveRNANCe

Report on Directors’ remuneration 

continued

15. 20 year Award plan
Details of all outstanding awards held under the 20 Year Award Plan are shown below:

Name of Director
Jeremy Darroch
Andrew Griffith
This table is audited.

At
30 June
2010
100
100

Number of shares under award
exercised
during
the year
–
–

Granted
during
the year
–
–

At
30 June
2011
100
100

exercise
price
n/a
n/a

Market price
at date
of exercise
n/a
n/a

Date 
from which
exercisable expiry date
05.04.12
05.04.12

05.02.12
05.02.12

Shares granted under the 20 Year Award Plan are not subject to performance conditions.

Signed on behalf of the Board 
Nicholas Ferguson 
Remuneration Committee Chairman 
28 July 2011

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
58

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Statement of Directors’ responsibility

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and 
the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
regulations.

Directors’ responsibility statement
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

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Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law, the Directors 
are required to prepare the group financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the european Union and Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation and have also chosen to prepare the Parent Company 
financial statements under IFRSs as adopted by the eU. Under 
Company law, the Directors must not approve the accounts unless 
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of 
affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for 
that period. In preparing these financial statements, International 
Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:

●  properly select and apply accounting policies;

●  present information, including accounting policies, in a 

manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 
understandable information;

●  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the 

specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users 
to understand the impact of particular transactions, other 
events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and 
financial performance; and

●  make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a 

going concern.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time 
the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure 
that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 
2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets 
of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of the corporate and financial information included on the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing 
the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may 
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

1.  The financial statements, prepared in accordance with 

International Financial Reporting Standards, give a true and 
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit 
or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole; and

2.  The management report, which is incorporated into the 

Directors’ report, includes a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position of the Company 
and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as 
a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face.

By order of the Board

Jeremy Darroch 
Chief executive Officer 
28 July 2011 

Andrew Griffith
Chief Financial Officer
28 July 2011

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AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
59

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Independent Auditor’s report

INDePeNDeNT AUDITOR’S RePORT TO THe MeMBeRS 
OF BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
We have audited the financial statements of British Sky 
Broadcasting Group plc for the year ended 30 June 2011 which 
comprise the Consolidated and Company Income Statements, the 
Consolidated and Company Statements of Comprehensive Income, 
the Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets, the Consolidated 
and Company Cash Flow Statements, the Consolidated and 
Company Statements of Changes in equity and the related notes 
1 to 35. The financial reporting framework that has been applied 
in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the european Union.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in 
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. 
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 
Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them 
in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone 
other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for 
our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, 
the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion 
on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law 
and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those 
standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s 
ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material 
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an 
assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to 
the Group’s and the Parent Company’s circumstances and have been 
consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness 
of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the 
overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we 
read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual 
Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited 
financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material 
misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for 
our report.

opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:

● 

the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards 
the group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Separate opinion in relation to IFrSs as issued by  
the IASB
As explained in note 1 to the Consolidated financial statements, 
the Group in addition to complying with its legal obligation to apply 
IFRSs as adopted by the european Union, has also applied IFRSs as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

In our opinion the Consolidated financial statements comply with 
IFRSs as issued by the IASB.

opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies 
Act 2006
In our opinion:

● 

● 

the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 
has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006; and

the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial 
year for which the financial statements are prepared is 
consistent with the financial statements.

matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in 
our opinion:

●  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent 
Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or

● 

the Parent Company financial statements and the part of 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

●  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or

●  we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:

● 

● 

the directors’ statement contained within the Annual Report in 
relation to going concern on page 48;

the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to 
the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code specified for our review; and

●  certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board on 

directors’ remuneration.

● 

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of 
the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 30 June 
2011 and of the Group’s and the Parent Company’s profit for the 
year then ended;

● 

the financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the european Union; and

William Touche (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
London, United Kingdom
28 July 2011

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
60

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Consolidated financial statements

CONSOLIDATeD INCOMe STATeMeNT
for the year ended 30 June 2011

Continuing operations
revenue
Operating expense
Litigation settlement income
operating profit
Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Investment income on litigation settlement
Investment income
Finance costs
Profit on disposal of available-for-sale investment
profit before tax
Taxation
profit for the year from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations
profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company
earnings (loss) per share from profit (loss) for the year (in pence)
Basic
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total

Diluted
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated income statement.

CONSOLIDATeD STATeMeNT OF COMPReHeNSIve INCOMe
for the year ended 30 June 2011

profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company
Other comprehensive income 
Amounts recognised directly in equity
exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
Gain on revaluation of available-for-sale investments
(Loss) gain on cash flow hedges
Tax on cash flow hedges

Amounts reclassified and reported in the income statement
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
Tax on cash flow hedges
Transfer to income statement on disposal of available-for-sale investment
Transfer to income statement on disposal of foreign operations

other comprehensive (loss) income for the year (net of tax)
total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Notes

2
3
4

16
4
5
5
6
7
9

10

11
11
11

11
11
11

2011

£m

6,597
(5,524)
–
1,073
34
–
9
(111)
9
1,014
(256)
758

52
810

43.5p
3.0p
46.5p

43.0p
2.9p
45.9p

2011

£m
810

(8)
59
(130)
36
(43)

42
(11)
–
4
35
(8)
802

2010

£m

5,709
(4,865)
269
1,113
32
49
3
(122)
115
1,190
(294)
896

(18)
878

51.4p
(1.0)p
50.4p

51.1p
(1.0)p
50.1p

2010

£m
878

8
117
160
(45)
240

(89)
25
(115)
–
(179)
61
939

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

CONSOLIDATeD BALANCe SHeeT
as at 30 June 2011

Non-current assets
Goodwill
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Available-for-sale investments
Deferred tax assets
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Short-term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial assets

total assets
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Provisions
Derivative financial liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Derivative financial liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

total liabilities
Share capital
Share premium
Reserves
total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company
total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

Notes

13
14
15
16
17
18
20
24

19
20
24
24
24

23
21

22
24

23
21
22
24
18

26
27
27
27

2011

£m

944
462
896
151
215
69
13
275
3,025

375
592
430
921
11
2,329
5,354

8
1,675
187
21
21
1,912

2,325
26
9
47
–
2,407
4,319
876
1,437
(1,278)
1,035
5,354

2010

£m

852
336
899
149
182
–
18
382
2,818

343
538
400
649
56
1,986
4,804

8
1,526
136
27
10
1,707

2,450
52
11
17
7
2,537
4,244
876
1,437
(1,753)
560
4,804

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated balance sheet.
These consolidated financial statements of British Sky Broadcasting Group plc, registered number 2247735, have been approved by the 
Board of Directors on 28 July 2011 and were signed on its behalf by:

Jeremy Darroch 
Chief executive Officer 

Andrew Griffith
Chief Financial Officer

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
62

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

CONSOLIDATeD CASH FLOW STATeMeNT
for the year ended 30 June 2011

Continuing operations 
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest received
Taxation paid
net cash from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Net funding to joint ventures and associates
Proceeds on disposal of investments
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of subsidiaries (net of cash and cash equivalents purchased)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Increase in short-term deposits
net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of borrowings
Repayment of obligations under finance leases
Proceeds from disposal of shares in employee Share Ownership Plan (“eSOP”)
Purchase of own shares for eSOP
Interest paid
Dividends paid to shareholders
net cash used in financing activities
net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations
Cash generated from (used in) discontinued operations
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated cash flow statement.

Notes

28

10

2011
£m

2010
£m

1,569
7
(219)
1,357

29
(4)
32
(197)
(226)
(222)
–
(30)
(618)

–
(1)
32
(90)
(124)
(353)
(536)
203
69
649
921

1,626
57
(319)
1,364

30
(1)
196
(246)
(183)
–
1
(310)
(513)

(495)
–
16
(56)
(156)
(314)
(1,005)
(154)
(8)
811
649

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

CONSOLIDATeD STATeMeNT OF CHANGeS IN eQUITY
for the year ended 30 June 2011

At 1 july 2009
Profit for the year
exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
Revaluation of available-for-sale investment
Transfer to income statement on disposal of
available-for-sale investment
Recognition and transfer of cash flow hedges
Tax on items taken directly to equity
total comprehensive income for the year
Share-based payment
Tax on items taken directly to equity
Dividends
At 30 june 2010
Profit for the year
exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
Transfer to income statement on disposal of
foreign operations
Revaluation of available-for-sale investment
Recognition and transfer of cash flow hedges
Tax on items taken directly to equity
total comprehensive income for the year
Share-based payment
Tax on items taken directly to equity
Purchase of non-controlling interest
Dividends
At 30 june 2011

Share
capital
£m
876
–
–
–

Share
premium
£m
1,437
–
–
–

eSOP
reserve
£m
(73)
–
–
–

Hedging
reserve
£m
26
–
–
–

Available–
for-sale
reserve
£m
96
–
–
117

Other
reserves
£m
354
–
8
–

Total 
shareholders’
(deficit)
equity
£m
(64)
878
8
117

Retained
earnings
£m
(2,780)
878
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
876
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
876

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,437
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,437

–
–
–
–
26
–
–
(47)
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
(60)
–
–
–
(107)

–
71
(20)
51
–
–
–
77
–
–

–
–
(88)
25
(63)
–
–
–
–
14

(115)
–
–
2
–
–
–
98
–
–

–
59
–
–
59
–
–
–
–
157

–
–
–
8
–
–
–
362
–
(8)

4
–
–
–
(4)
–
–
–
–
358

–
–
–
878
(36)
9
(314)
(2,243)
810
–

–
–
–
–
810
70
19
(3)
(353)
(1,700)

(115)
71
(20)
939
(10)
9
(314)
560
810
(8)

4
59
(88)
25
802
10
19
(3)
(353)
1,035

For a description of the nature and purpose of each equity reserve, see note 27.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated statement of changes in equity.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

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NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS
1. Accounting policies
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc (the “Company”) is a limited 
liability company incorporated in england and Wales, and 
domiciled in the United Kingdom (“UK”). The consolidated financial 
statements include the Company and its subsidiaries (together, 
the “Group”) and its interests in associates and jointly-controlled 
entities.

a) Statement of compliance

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(“IFRS”) as adopted by the european Union (“eU”), the Companies 
Act 2006 and Article 4 of the International Accounting Standard 
(“IAS”) Regulations. In addition, the Group also complied with IFRS 
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

b) Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on 
a going concern basis (as set out in the Directors’ Report) and 
on an historical cost basis, except for the remeasurement to fair 
value of financial instruments as described in the accounting 
policies below. The Group has adopted the new accounting 
pronouncements which became effective this year, none of which 
had any significant impact on the Group’s results or financial 
position.

The Group maintains a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the 
Sunday nearest to 30 June in each year. In fiscal year 2011, this 
date was 3 July 2011, this being a 53 week year (fiscal year 2010: 
27 June 2010, 52 week year). For convenience purposes, the Group 
continues to date its consolidated financial statements as at 
30 June. The Group has classified assets and liabilities as current 
when they are expected to be realised in, or intended for sale or 
consumption in, the normal operating cycle of the Group.

c) Basis of consolidation

i. Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. Control 
exists when the Company has the power, directly or indirectly, to 
govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to 
obtain benefits from its activities. Subsidiaries are included in the 
consolidated financial statements of the Company from the date 
control of the subsidiary commences until the date that control 
ceases. Intra-group balances, and any unrealised gains and losses 
or income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are 
eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

ii. Associates and joint ventures
Associates are entities where the Group has significant influence, 
but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating 
policies of the entity. Joint ventures are those entities which are 
jointly controlled by the Group under a contractual agreement 
with another party or parties.

These consolidated financial statements include the Group’s share 
of the total recognised gains and losses of associates and joint 
ventures using the equity method, from the date that significant 
influence or joint control commences to the date that it ceases, 
based on present ownership interests and excluding the possible 
exercise of potential voting rights, less any impairment losses (see 
accounting policy j). When the Group’s interest in an associate or 
joint venture has been reduced to nil because the Group’s share 
of losses exceeds its interest in the associate or joint venture, the 
Group only provides for additional losses to the extent that it has 
incurred legal or constructive obligations to fund such losses, or 
where the Group has made payments on behalf of the associate or 
joint venture. Where the disposal of an investment in an associate 
or joint venture is considered to be highly probable, the investment 
ceases to be equity accounted and, instead, is classified as held 
for sale and stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value 
less costs to sell.

d) Goodwill

Business combinations that have occurred since 1 July 2004, the 
date of transition to IFRS (the “Transition Date”), are accounted 
for by applying the purchase method of accounting. Following 
this method, goodwill is initially recognised on consolidation, 
representing the difference between the fair value cost of the 
business combination and the fair value of the identifiable assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed.

In respect of business combinations that occurred prior to the 
Transition Date, goodwill has been included at the amounts 
recognised under the Group’s UK Generally Accepted Accounting 
Principles (“UK GAAP”) accounting policies on the Transition 
Date. On disposal of a subsidiary, associate or joint venture, the 
attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination 
of profit or loss on disposal, except for goodwill written off to 
reserves under UK GAAP prior to the Transition Date, which is not 
reinstated and is not included in determining any subsequent gain 
or loss on disposal.

Goodwill is stated at cost less any impairment losses and is 
tested, at least annually, for impairment, based on the recoverable 
amounts of the cash generating unit to which the goodwill 
has been allocated. Any impairment identified is recognised 
immediately in the income statement and is not subsequently 
reversed. The carrying amount of goodwill in respect of associates 
and joint ventures is included in the carrying amount of the 
investment in the associate or joint venture. Goodwill is tested for 
impairment in line with accounting policy j below.

e) Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment 
(“ppe”)

i. Intangible assets
Research expenditure is recognised in operating expense in the 
income statement as the expenditure is incurred. Development 
expenditure (relating to the application of research knowledge 
to plan or design new or substantially improved products for 

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

1. Accounting policies continued

sale or use within the business) is recognised as an intangible 
asset from the point at which it is probable that the Group has the 
intention and ability to generate future economic benefits from 
the development expenditure, that the development is technically 
feasible and that the subsequent expenditure can be measured 
reliably. Any other development expenditure is recognised in 
operating expense as incurred.

Other intangible assets, which are acquired by the Group separately 
or through a business combination, are initially stated at cost or fair 
value, respectively, less accumulated amortisation and impairment 
losses, other than those that are classified as held for sale, which are 
stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

Amortisation of an intangible asset begins when the asset is 
available for use, and is charged to the income statement through 
operating expense on a straight-line basis over the intangible 
asset’s estimated useful life, principally being a period between 
3 and 25 years, unless the asset life is judged to be indefinite. If the 
useful life is indefinite or the asset is not yet available for use, no 
amortisation is charged and an impairment test is carried out at 
least annually. Other intangible assets are tested for impairment in 
line with accounting policy j below.

ii. property, plant and equipment
Owned PPe is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and 
any impairment losses, (see accounting policy j), other than those 
items that are classified as held for sale, which are stated at the 
lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. When an 
item of PPe comprises major components having different useful 
economic lives, the components are accounted for as separate 
items of PPe.

Assets held under finance leases, which confer rights and 
obligations similar to those attached to owned assets, are treated 
as PPe (see accounting policy o).

The cost of PPe, less estimated residual value, is depreciated in 
operating expense on a straight-line basis over its estimated  
useful life. Land, and assets that are not yet available for use, are  
not depreciated. Principal useful economic lives used for this 
purpose are:

Freehold buildings 
equipment, furniture and fixtures  3 to 15 years
Assets under finance leases and 
leasehold improvements 

25 to 40 years

Lesser of lease term and the
useful economic life of the asset

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets 
that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for 
their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets 
until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their 
intended use or sale.

To the extent that the financing for a qualifying asset is part of the 
Group’s general borrowings, the interest cost to be capitalised is 

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
66

calculated based upon the weighted average cost of borrowing to 
the Group (excluding the interest on any borrowings specific to any 
qualifying assets). This is then applied to the expenditures on the 
asset.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the 
period to which they relate.

f) Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

The Group uses a number of derivative financial instruments to 
hedge its exposure to fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange 
rates.

Derivatives are held at fair value from the date on which a derivative 
contract is entered into. Fair value is defined as the amount for 
which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between 
knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction. The fair 
value of derivative financial instruments is estimated with reference 
to the contracted value and the appropriate market value prevailing 
at the balance sheet date. Certain derivatives held by the Group 
which relate to highly probable forecast transactions (“hedged 
items”), which meet qualifying criteria under IAS 39 “Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” (“IAS 39”), are 
designated as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges, and are subject 
to cash flow hedge accounting or fair value hedge accounting 
respectively. Certain other derivatives held by the Group do not 
meet the qualifying criteria for recognition for accounting purposes 
as hedges, despite this being their economic function. Changes in 
the fair values of these derivatives are recognised immediately in the 
income statement. The Group does not hold or issue derivatives for 
speculative purposes.

i. Derivatives that qualify for cash flow hedge accounting
Changes in the fair values of derivatives that are designated as 
cash flow hedges (“cash flow hedging instruments”) are initially 
recognised in the hedging reserve. In circumstances in which the 
derivative used is a currency option, only changes in the intrinsic 
value of the option are designated under the cash flow hedging 
relationship, with all other movements being recorded immediately 
in the income statement. Amounts accumulated in the hedging 
reserve are subsequently recognised in the income statement in 
the periods in which the related hedged items are recognised in the 
income statement.

At inception, the effectiveness of the Group’s cash flow hedges 
is assessed through a comparison of the principal terms of the 
hedging instrument and the underlying hedged item. The ongoing 
effectiveness of the Group’s cash flow hedges is assessed using the 
dollar-offset approach, with the expected cash flows of hedging 
instruments being compared to the expected cash flows of the 
hedged items. This assessment is used to demonstrate that each 
hedge relationship is expected to be highly effective on inception, 
has been highly effective in the period and is expected to continue 
to be highly effective in future periods. The measurement of hedge 
ineffectiveness for the Group’s hedging instruments is calculated 

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

using the hypothetical derivative method, with the fair values 
of the hedging instruments being compared to those of the 
hypothetical derivative that would result in the designated cash 
flow hedge achieving perfect hedge effectiveness. The excess 
of the cumulative change in the fair value of the actual hedging 
instrument compared to that of the hypothetical derivative is 
deemed to be hedge ineffectiveness, which is recognised in the 
income statement.

The Group uses a range of 80% to 125% for hedge effectiveness, 
in accordance with IAS 39, and any relationship which has 
effectiveness outside this range is deemed to be ineffective and 
hedge accounting is suspended.

When a cash flow hedging instrument expires, is terminated or 
is exercised, or if a hedge no longer meets the qualifying criteria 
for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in the 
hedging reserve at that time remains in the hedging reserve and is 
recognised when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised 
in the income statement, provided that the underlying transaction 
is still expected to occur. When a forecast transaction is no longer 
expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported 
in the hedging reserve is immediately recognised in the income 
statement and all future changes in the fair value of the cash flow 
hedging instruments are immediately recognised in the income 
statement.

ii. Derivatives that qualify for fair value hedge accounting
The Group has designated certain derivatives as fair value hedges 
as defined under IAS 39. Any changes in the fair value of the 
derivatives are recognised immediately in the income statement. 
The carrying values of the underlying hedged items are adjusted 
for the change in the fair value of the hedged risks, with the 
gains or losses recognised immediately in the income statement, 
offsetting the fair value movement on the derivative.

Prospective effectiveness is assessed quarterly, through a 
comparison of the principal terms of the hedging instrument and 
the underlying hedged item, including the likelihood of default 
by the derivative counterparty. The retrospective effectiveness 
of the Group’s fair value hedges is calculated quarterly using the 
cumulative dollar-offset approach, with movements in the fair 
value of the hedged item being compared to movements in the fair 
value of the hedging instrument. The Group uses a range of 80% 
to 125% for hedge effectiveness and any relationship which has 
effectiveness outside this range is deemed to be ineffective and 
hedge accounting is suspended.

iii. embedded derivatives
Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other 
host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their 
risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of the 
host contracts and the host contracts are not carried at fair value, 
with unrealised gains or losses reported in the income statement. 
embedded derivatives are carried on the balance sheet at fair 
value from the inception of the host contract. Changes in fair value 
are recognised within the income statement during the period in 
which they arise.

g) Inventories

i. Acquired and commissioned television programme inventories
Programme inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net 
realisable value (“NRv”), including, where applicable, estimated 
subscriber escalation payments, and net of the accumulated 
expense charged to the income statement to date.

Programming rights are included as inventories when the legally 
enforceable licence period commences and all of the following 
conditions have been met: (a) the cost of each programme is 
known or reasonably determinable; (b) the programme material 
has been accepted by the Group in accordance with the conditions 
of the rights, and (c) the programme is available for its first 
showing. Prior to being included in inventories, the programming 
rights are classified as television programme rights not yet 
available for transmission and not recorded as inventories on the 
Group’s balance sheet and are instead disclosed as contractual 
commitments (see note 29). Payments made upon receipt of 
commissioned and acquired programming, but in advance of 
the legal right to broadcast the programmes, are treated as 
prepayments.

The cost of television programme inventories is recognised in 
the operating expense line of the income statement, primarily as 
described below:

Sports – 100% of the cost is recognised in the income statement 
on the first broadcast or, where the rights are for multiple seasons 
or competitions, such rights are principally recognised on a 
straight-line basis across the seasons or competitions.

News – 100% of the cost is recognised in the income statement on 
first broadcast.

Movies – The cost is recognised in the income statement on a 
straight-line basis over the period of broadcast rights.

General entertainment – The cost is recognised in the income 
statement based on the expected value of each planned 
broadcast.

Where programme rights are surplus to the Group’s requirements, 
and no gain is anticipated through a disposal of the rights, or 
where the programming will not be broadcast for any other reason, 
a write-down to the income statement is made. Any reversals of 
inventory write-downs are recognised as reductions in operating 
expense.

ii. Set-top boxes, routers and related equipment
Set-top boxes, routers and related equipment are valued at the 
lower of cost and NRv, the latter of which reflects the value that 
the business expects to realise from the set-top boxes and related 
equipment in the hands of the customer, and are recognised 
through the operating expense line of the income statement. 
Any subsidy is expensed on enablement, which is the process of 
activating the viewing card during installation, so as to enable 
a viewer to view encrypted broadcast services, and effectively 
represents the completion of the installation process for new 
customers. The amount recognised in the income statement is 
determined on a weighted average cost basis, in accordance with 
IAS 2 “Inventory”.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
67

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

1. Accounting policies continued

iii. raw materials, consumables and goods held for resale
Raw materials, consumables and goods held for resale are valued at 
the lower of cost and NRv. The cost of raw materials, consumables and 
goods held for resale is recognised through the operating expense 
line of the income statement on a first in first out basis.

h) Financial assets and liabilities

Financial assets and liabilities are initially recognised at fair value 
plus any directly attributable transaction costs. At each balance 
sheet date, the Group assesses whether there is any objective 
evidence that any financial asset is impaired. Financial assets and 
liabilities are recognised on the Group’s balance sheet when the 
Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial 
asset or liability. Financial assets are derecognised from the balance 
sheet when the Group’s contractual rights to the cash flows expire 
or the Group transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of 
the financial asset. Financial liabilities are derecognised from the 
Group’s balance sheet when the obligation specified in the contract 
is discharged, cancelled or expires.

i. Available-for-sale investments
equity investments intended to be held for an indefinite period are 
classified as available-for-sale investments. They are carried at fair 
value, where this can be reliably measured, with movements in fair 
value recognised directly in the available-for-sale reserve. Where the 
fair value cannot be reliably measured, the investment is carried at 
cost.

Any impairment losses in equity investments classified as available-
for-sale investments are recognised in the income statement 
and are not reversible through the income statement, and are 
determined with reference to the closing market share price at the 
balance sheet date. Any subsequent increase in the fair value of 
the available-for-sale investment above the impaired value will be 
recognised within the available-for-sale reserve.

Available-for-sale investments are included within non-current assets 
unless the carrying value is expected to be recovered principally 
through sale rather than continuing use, in which case they are 
included within current assets. On disposal, the difference between 
the carrying amount and the sum of the consideration received and 
any cumulative gain or loss that had previously been recognised 
directly in reserves is recognised in the income statement.

ii. trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are non-derivative financial assets 
with fixed or determinable payments and, where no stated interest 
rate is applicable, are measured at the original invoice amount, 
if the effect of discounting is immaterial. Where discounting is 
material, trade and other receivables are measured at amortised 
cost using the effective interest method. An allowance account 
is maintained to reduce the carrying value of trade and other 
receivables for impairment losses identified from objective evidence, 
with movements in the allowance account, either from increased 
impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses, being 
recognised in the income statement.
AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
68

iii. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, bank accounts, 
deposits receivable on demand and deposits with maturity dates 
of three months or less from the date of inception. Bank overdrafts 
that are repayable on demand and which form an integral part of 
the Group’s cash management are also included as a component of 
cash and cash equivalents where offset conditions are met.

iv. Short-term deposits
This includes short-term deposits and commercial paper which have 
maturity dates of more than three months from inception. These 
deposits are initially recognised at fair value, and then carried at 
amortised cost through the income statement less any allowance 
for impairment losses.

v. trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are non-derivative financial liabilities 
and are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method. Trade and other payables with no stated interest rate are 
measured at the original invoice amount if the effect of discounting 
is immaterial.

vi. Borrowings
Borrowings are recorded as the proceeds received, net of direct 
issue costs. Finance charges, including any premium payable on 
settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for 
on an accruals basis in the income statement using the effective 
interest method and are added to the carrying amount of the 
underlying instrument to which they relate, to the extent that they 
are not settled in the period in which they arise.

i) transponder prepayments

Payments made in respect of future satellite broadcast capacity 
have been recorded as prepaid transponder costs. These payments 
are recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over 
the term of the agreement.

j) Impairment

At each balance sheet date, in accordance with IAS 36 “Impairment 
of Assets”, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of all its assets 
excluding inventories (see accounting policy g), non-current assets 
classified as held for sale, financial assets (see accounting policy 
h) and deferred taxation (see accounting policy p) to determine 
whether there is any indication that any of those assets have 
suffered an impairment loss.

An impairment is recognised in the income statement whenever 
the carrying amount of an asset or its cash generating unit exceeds 
its recoverable amount. An impairment of an investment in a joint 
venture or associate is recognised within the share of profit from 
joint ventures and associates. The recoverable amount is the greater 
of net selling price, defined as the fair value less costs to sell, and 
value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash 
flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount 
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value 

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

of money and risks specific to the asset. Where it is not possible 
to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the 
Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash generating 
unit to which the asset belongs. Impairment losses recognised in 
respect of cash generating units are allocated first to reduce the 
carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to those units, and then 
to reduce the carrying amount of other assets in the unit on a pro-
rata basis.

An impairment loss for an individual asset or cash generating unit 
shall be reversed if there has been a change in estimates used to 
determine the recoverable amount since the last impairment loss 
was recognised and is only reversed to the extent that the asset’s 
carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would 
have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no 
impairment loss had been recognised. Impairment of goodwill is 
not reversed.

k) provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a probable, present 
legal or constructive obligation to make a transfer of economic 
benefits as a result of past events where a reliable estimate is 
available. The amounts recognised represent the Group’s best 
estimate of the transfer of benefits that will be required to 
settle the obligation as of the balance sheet date. Provisions are 
discounted if the effect of the time value of money is material using 
a pre-tax market rate adjusted for risks specific to the liability.

l) eSop reserve

Where the Company or its subsidiaries purchase the Company’s 
own equity shares, the cost of those shares, including any 
attributable transaction costs, is presented within the eSOP 
reserve as a deduction in shareholders’ equity in the consolidated 
financial statements.

m) revenue recognition

Revenue, which excludes value added tax and transactions 
between Group companies, represents the gross inflow of 
economic benefit from Sky’s operating activities. The Group’s main 
sources of revenue are recognised as follows:

●  Retail subscription revenue, including subscriptions for DTH 

services, Sky Broadband and Sky Talk services, is recognised as 
the goods or services are provided, net of any discount given. 
Pay-per-view revenue is recognised when the event or movie is 
viewed.

●  Wholesale revenue is recognised as the services are provided 
to the cable and other retailers and is based on the number of 
subscribers taking the Sky channels, as reported to the Group 
by the cable retailers, and the applicable rate card or contract.

●  Advertising sales revenue is recognised when the advertising 

is broadcast. Revenue generated from airtime sales, where Sky 
acts as an agent on behalf of third parties, is recognised on a 
net commission basis.

● 

Installation, hardware and service revenue is recognised in the 
income statement when the goods and services are activated.

●  Other revenue principally includes income from Sky Active, 

Sky Mobile Tv, Sky Player, technical platform services, Sky Bet 
and third party set-top box sales. With the exception of Sky 
Bet revenue, other revenue is recognised, net of any discount 
given, when the relevant goods or service are provided. Sky 
Bet revenue is recognised in accordance with IAS 39 and 
represents income in the period for betting and gaming 
activities, defined as amounts staked by customers less 
winnings paid out.

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable. When the Group sells a set-top box, 
installation or service and a subscription in one bundled 
transaction, the total consideration from the arrangement is 
allocated to each element based on their relative fair values. The 
fair value of each individual element is determined using vendor 
specific or third party evidence. The amount of revenue the Group 
recognises for delivered elements is limited to the cash received.

n) employee benefits

Wages, salaries, social security contributions, bonuses payable and 
non-monetary benefits for current employees are recognised in 
the income statement as the employees’ services are rendered.

The Group provides pensions to eligible employees through 
defined contribution schemes. The amount charged to the income 
statement in the year represents the cost of contributions 
payable by the Group to the schemes in exchange for employee 
services rendered in that year. The assets of the schemes are held 
independently of the Group.

Termination benefits are recognised as a liability when, and only 
when, the Group has a demonstrable commitment to terminate 
the employment of an employee or group of employees before the 
normal retirement date or as the result of an offer to encourage 
voluntary redundancy.

The Group issues equity-settled and cash-settled share-based 
payments to certain employees which must be measured at fair 
value and recognised as an expense in the income statement, with 
a corresponding increase in equity in the case of equity-settled 
payments, and liabilities in the case of cash-settled awards. The 
fair values of equity-settled payments are measured at the dates 
of grant using option-pricing models, taking into account the 
terms and conditions upon which the awards are granted. Cash-
settled share-based payments are measured at their fair value 
as at the balance sheet date. The fair value is recognised over the 
period during which employees become unconditionally entitled 
to the awards, subject to the Group’s estimate of the number of 
awards which will be forfeited, either due to employees leaving the 
Group prior to vesting or due to non-market based performance 
conditions not being met. Where an award has market-based 
performance conditions, the fair value of the award is adjusted for 
the probability of achieving these via the option pricing model. The 
total amount recognised in the income statement as an expense 
is adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards that vest, 
except where forfeiture is due to the failure to meet market-based 
performance measures. In the event of a cancellation, whether 
by the Group or by a participating employee, the compensation 

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

1. Accounting policies continued

expense that would have been recognised over the remainder of the 
vesting period is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

o) leases

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the 
lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to 
ownership of the asset to the lessee. All other leases are classified 
as operating leases.

When the Group is lessor, sublease income from operating leases is 
recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

When the Group is lessee, assets held under finance leases are 
recognised as assets of the Group at their fair value on the date of 
acquisition, or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease 
payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in 
the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments 
are apportioned between finance charges and reductions of the 
lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the 
remaining balance of the liability.

The lease expense arising from operating leases is charged to the 
income statement on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. 
Benefits received and receivable as incentives to enter into operating 
leases are recorded on a straight line basis over the lease term.

p) taxation, including deferred taxation

The Group’s liability for current tax is based on taxable profit for the 
year, and is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised using the balance 
sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between 
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheet 
and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of 
taxable profit. Temporary differences arising from goodwill and 
the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither 
accounting profit nor taxable profit are not provided for. Deferred 
tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences 
arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests 
in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the 
reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the 
temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The 
amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner 
of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and 
liabilities, using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each 
balance sheet date and adjusted to reflect an amount that is 
probable to be realised based on the weight of all available evidence. 
Deferred tax is calculated at the rates that are expected to apply 
in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted. Deferred tax 
is charged or credited in the income statement, except where it 
relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case 

the deferred tax is also included within equity. Deferred tax assets 
and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to 
set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when 
they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority 
and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities 
on a net basis.

q) Distributions to equity shareholders

Dividends are recognised in the retained earnings reserve in the year 
in which they are declared.

The cost of repurchasing the Group’s own equity shares for 
cancellation (“share buy-backs”) is recorded in retained earnings. 
In addition, the nominal cost of shares repurchased is deducted 
from share capital and a matching credit is recorded in the capital 
redemption reserve.

r) earnings per share

Basic earnings or loss per share represents the profit or loss for the 
year, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
in issue during the year, excluding the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares purchased by the Group and held in the Group’s 
eSOP during the year to satisfy employee share awards.

Diluted earnings or loss per share represents the profit or loss for 
the year, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
in issue during the year, excluding the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares purchased by the Group and held in the Group’s 
eSOP during the year to satisfy employee share awards, plus the 
weighted average number of dilutive shares resulting from share 
options where the inclusion of these would not be antidilutive.

s) Foreign currency translation

The Group’s functional currency and presentational currency is 
pounds sterling. Trading activities denominated in foreign currencies 
are recorded in pounds sterling at the applicable monthly exchange 
rates. Monetary assets, liabilities and commitments denominated 
in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the 
rates of exchange at that date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are translated to pounds sterling 
at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the initial transaction. 
Gains and losses from the retranslation of assets and liabilities are 
included net in profit for the year, except for exchange differences 
arising on non-monetary assets and liabilities where the changes in 
fair value are recognised directly in equity.

The assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign operations are 
translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. 
Income and expense items are translated at the applicable monthly 
average exchange rates. Any exchange differences arising are 
classified as equity and transferred to other reserves.

t) reportable segments

IFRS 8 “Operating Segments” requires the segment information 
presented in the financial statements to be that which is used 

AnnuAl report 2011     
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

internally by the chief operating decision maker to evaluate 
the performance of the business and decide how to allocate 
resources. The Group has identified the Board of Directors as 
its chief operating decision maker and as the internal reporting 
reviewed by the Board focuses on the operations of the Group as 
a whole and does not identify individual operating segments, the 
Group has only one reportable segment.

u) Accounting Standards, interpretations and amendments 
to existing standards that are not yet effective

The Group has not yet adopted certain new standards, 
amendments and interpretations to existing standards, which 
have been published but are only effective for our accounting 
periods beginning on or after 1 July 2011 or later periods. These 
new pronouncements are listed below:

●  Amendment to IFRIC 14 “IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit 
Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction” 
(effective 1 January 2011)

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

IAS 24 Revised (2009) “ Related Party Disclosures” (effective 
1 January 2011)

Improvements to IFRSs 2010 – various standards (effective 
1 January 2011)

IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” (effective 1 January 2013)

IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Statements” (effective 
1 January 2013)

IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements” (effective 1 January 2013)

IFRS 12 “Disclosure of Interests in Other entities” (effective 
1 January 2013)

● 

IFRS 13 “Fair value Measurement” (effective 1 January 2013)

The Directors are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption 
of these standards, amendments and interpretations in future 
periods.

v) Critical accounting policies and the use of judgment

Certain accounting policies are considered to be critical to the 
Group. An accounting policy is considered to be critical if, in the 
Directors’ judgment, its selection or application materially affects 
the Group’s financial position or results. Below is a summary of the 
Group’s critical accounting policies and details of the key areas of 
judgment that are exercised in their application.

i.  revenue (see note 2)
●  Selecting the appropriate timing for, and amount of, revenue 

to be recognised requires judgment. This may involve 
estimating the fair value of consideration before it is received. 
When the Group sells a set-top box, installation or service 
and a subscription in one bundled transaction, the total 
consideration from the arrangement is allocated to each 
element based on its relative fair value. The fair value of each 
individual element is determined using vendor specific or third 
party evidence. The amount of revenue the Group recognises 
for delivered elements is limited to the cash received.

●  Judgment is also required in evaluating the likelihood 
of collection of customer debt after revenue has been 

recognised. This evaluation requires estimates to be made, 
including the level of provision to be made for amounts with 
uncertain recovery profiles. Provisions are based on historical 
trends in the percentage of debts which are not recovered, or 
on more detailed reviews of individually significant balances.

ii.  taxation (see note 9)
●  The Group’s tax charge is the sum of the total current and 
deferred tax charges. The calculation of the Group’s total 
tax charge necessarily involves a degree of estimation and 
judgment in respect of certain items whose tax treatment 
cannot be finally determined until resolution has been reached 
with the relevant tax authority or, as appropriate, through a 
formal legal process.

●  Accruals for tax contingencies require management to make 
judgments and estimates in relation to tax audit issues and 
exposures. Amounts accrued are based on management’s 
interpretation of country-specific tax law and the likelihood 
of settlement. Tax benefits are not recognised unless it 
is probable that the tax positions will be sustained. Once 
considered to be probable, management reviews each material 
tax benefit to assess whether a provision should be taken 
against full recognition of the benefit on the basis of the likely 
resolution of the issue through negotiation and/or litigation.

●  The amounts recognised in the consolidated financial 

statements in respect of each matter are derived from the 
Group’s best estimation and judgment, as described above. 
However, the inherent uncertainty regarding the outcome of 
these items means the eventual resolution could differ from 
the provision and in such event the Group would be required to 
make an adjustment in a subsequent period which could have 
a material impact on the Group’s profit and loss and/or cash 
position.

iii.  Goodwill (see note 13)
●  Judgment is required in determining the fair value of 

identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed 
in a business combination. Calculating the fair values involves 
the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including 
expectations about future cash flows, discount rates and the 
lives of assets following purchase.

●  Judgment is also required in evaluating whether any 

impairment loss has arisen against the carrying amount 
of goodwill. This may require calculation of the recoverable 
amount of cash generating units to which the goodwill is 
associated. Such a calculation may involve estimates of the 
net present value of future forecast cash flows and selecting 
an appropriate discount rate. Alternatively, it may involve a 
calculation of the fair value less costs to sell of the applicable 
cash generating unit.

iv. 

 Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment (see 
notes 14 and 15)

●  The assessment of the useful economic lives of these assets 
requires judgment. Depreciation and amortisation is charged 
to the income statement based on the useful economic life 
selected. This assessment requires estimation of the period 
over which the Group will benefit from the assets.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

1. Accounting policies continued

The alternative programming available to the Group for scheduling 
within this period. This consideration provides the most appropriate 
information in order to estimate how frequently individual 
programmes will be shown during the period in which the Group 
holds their Broadcast rights.

The potential benefits associated with scheduling programming. 
Certain high-profile or high-quality programming titles have 
additional value to the Group, as they attract new Tv customers 
and encourage retention of existing Tv customers. As such, these 
programmes are able to retain more value throughout their 
broadcast runs than would be indicated when considering the 
expected viewing numbers alone.

Expectations as to the number of viewers a programme is likely to 
achieve for each individual broadcast over the contractual broadcast 
period. The number of viewers per broadcast directly influences 
advertising revenue for channels, although this consideration is 
partly influenced by the Group’s assessment of the potential impact 
of the publicly available information on its competitors’ scheduling 
intentions against planned broadcasts.

●  Determining whether the carrying amount of these assets 
has any indication of impairment also requires judgment. If 
an indication of impairment is identified, further judgment 
is required to assess whether the carrying amount can be 
supported by the net present value of future cash flows forecast 
to be derived from the asset. This forecast involves cash flow 
projections and selecting the appropriate discount rate.

●  Assessing whether assets meet the required criteria for initial 

capitalisation requires judgment. This requires a determination 
of whether the assets will result in future benefits to the 
Group. In particular, internally generated intangible assets 
must be assessed during the development phase to identify 
whether the Group has the ability and intention to complete the 
development successfully.

v.  Deferred tax (see note 18)
●  The key area of judgment in respect of deferred tax accounting 

is the assessment of the expected timing and manner of 
realisation or settlement of the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities held at the balance sheet date. In particular, 
assessment is required of whether it is probable that there will 
be suitable future taxable profits against which any deferred tax 
assets can be utilised.

vi.  programming inventory (see note 19)
●  The Group has several main types of programming inventory: 

Sport, News, Movies and General entertainment, as detailed in 
accounting policy (g)(i).

●  The cost of acquired Sport and News rights is recognised in 

the income statement on first broadcast or, where Sports 
rights are for multiple seasons or competitions, Sports rights 
are amortised on a straight-line basis across the seasons or 
competitions. Acquired movie rights are amortised on a straight-
line basis over the period of the transmission rights. These 
treatments best represent our estimate of the benefits received 
from the acquired rights.

●  The key area of accounting for programming inventory requiring 
judgment is the assessment of the appropriate profile over 
which to amortise general entertainment programming. This 
assessment requires the Group to form an expectation of the 
number of times a programme will be broadcast, and the relative 
value associated with each broadcast.

● 

In order to perform this assessment, the Group considers the 
following factors:

The period over which the programme is expected to be shown on 
the Group’s channels. This is usually based on a combination of the 
actual period specified in the contract for the programme rights, 
and the initial expectation of when repeat broadcasts will be 
scheduled.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

2. revenue

Continuing operations
Retail subscription
Wholesale subscription
Advertising
Installation, hardware and service
Other

2011
£m

5,455
323
458
112
249
6,597

2010
£m

4,761
238
340
174
196
5,709

To provide a more relevant presentation, management has reclassified online properties and Sky Magazine advertising revenue of 
£19 million in the current period and £21 million in the comparative period from other revenue to advertising revenue.

Revenue from continuing operations arises from goods and services provided to the UK, with the exception of £422 million (2010: 
£378 million) which arises from services provided to other countries.

3. operating expense

Continuing operations
Programming
Direct networks
Transmission, technology and fixed networks
Marketing(ii)
Subscriber management and supply chain(iii)(iv)
Administration(i)(iii)(v)

2011
£m

2,188
584
395
1,179
596
582
5,524

2010
£m

1,902
440
307
1,115
634
467
4,865

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

Included within administration costs for the year ended 30 June 2011 is £26 million of restructuring costs arising on the acquisition of Living TV, which comprise 
principally redundancy payments and the early termination of a pre-acquisition contract and £15 million of costs in relation to the News Corporation proposal.

Included within marketing costs for the year ended 30 June 2011 is a credit of £41 million in relation to import duty on set-top boxes paid out in prior years. This duty is 
recoverable due to the judgment given by the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) on 14 April 2011.

Included within operating expense for the year ended 30 June 2010 is £32 million of expense relating to a restructuring exercise of which £22 million was recorded within 
subscriber management and supply chain costs and related to the impairment of assets associated with Picnic (the potential launch of a subscription television service 
on DTT) and £10 million was recorded within administration costs and related to restructuring costs which comprise principally redundancy payments.

(iv) 

Included within subscriber management and supply chain costs for the year ended 30 June 2010 is a £5 million credit related to the cancellation of accounts payable on 
settlement of the claim against EDS.

(v) 

Included within administration costs for the year ended 30 June 2010 is £1 million of expense relating to legal costs incurred on the Group’s claim against EDS.

4. litigation settlement income and investment income on litigation settlement
In the prior year, on 26 January 2010, the Technology and Construction Court (“TCC”) gave judgment in the litigation between electronic 
Data Systems (“eDS”) and the Group. The litigation related to eDS’ former role as a supplier to the Group as part of the Group’s 
customer relationship management project.

On 7 June 2010, eDS and the Group fully and finally settled the litigation between them and all related claims (including for damages, 
costs and interest) for a total amount of £318 million.

In the prior year, the Group recognised £49 million of these payments in investment income on litigation settlement. This allocation was 
based on the Group’s estimate of the TCC’s likely award of interest on its lost cash flows since the end of eDS’ role as a supplier to the 
Group in March 2002.

The balance of £269 million was recognised in litigation settlement income, representing settlement for costs and damages.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS
continued

5. Investment income and finance costs

Investment income
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits

Finance costs 
– Interest payable and similar charges
£750 million/£1 billion Revolving Credit Facilities (“RCF”)
Guaranteed Notes (see note 23)
Finance lease interest

– Other finance income (expense)
Remeasurement of borrowings and borrowings-related derivative financial instruments (not qualifying for hedge accounting)
Remeasurement of other derivative financial instruments (not qualifying for hedge accounting)
(Loss) gain arising on derivatives in a designated fair value hedge accounting relationship
Gain (loss) arising on adjustment for hedged item in a designated fair value hedge accounting relationship

2011
£m

9

2011
£m

(6)
(116)
(7)
(129)

17
(2)
(4)
7
18
(111)

2010
£m

3

2010
£m

(11)
(116)
(8)
(135)

16
(1)
36
(38)
13
(122)

Borrowing costs included in the cost of qualifying assets during the year arose on the general borrowing pool and are calculated by applying 
a capitalisation rate of 5.3% (2010: 5.3%) to expenditure on such assets. The amount capitalised in the current year amounted to less than 
£1 million (2010: less than £1 million).

6. profit on disposal of available-for-sale investment
On 5 April 2011, the Group sold its available-for-sale investment in Shine Limited (“Shine”) for a maximum consideration of £36 million, of 
which £31 million has been received to date. The remaining consideration is contingent on certain post transaction criteria and is currently 
held in escrow. At the date of disposal, the Group estimated the fair value of the contingent consideration to be £4 million and recorded a 
profit on disposal of £9 million, being the excess of the recognised consideration above the carrying value of the shares.

In the prior year, on 8 February 2010, the Group placed a shareholding of 10.4% in ITv in accordance with the final undertakings given by the 
Group to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills relating to the Group’s investment in ITv. The placing by the Group of 
404,362,095 ITv shares at 48.5 pence per share resulted in aggregate consideration of £196 million. A profit of £115 million was realised on 
disposal being the excess of the consideration above the impaired value of the shares. The Group continues to hold just under 7.5% of the 
shares in ITv.

AnnuAl report 2011     
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

7. profit before taxation
Profit before taxation is stated after charging (crediting):

Year ended 30 June 2011
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
Rentals on operating leases and similar arrangements
Year ended 30 June 2010
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
Rentals on operating leases and similar arrangements

Continuing 
operations
£m

Discontinued
 operations
£m

1,850
173
159
42

1,716
154
184
37

–
3
1
2

–
19
5
10

Total
£m

1,850
176
160
44

1,716
173
189
47

Consolidated non-current assets outside the UK were £2 million (2010: £29 million).

Foreign exchange

Foreign exchange losses recognised in the income statement during the year amounted to less than £1 million (2010: £3 million).

Audit fees

An analysis of auditor’s remuneration is as follows:

total audit fees
Other services pursuant to legislation
total non-audit fees
total auditor remuneration

2011
£m
1
1
1
2

2010
£m
2
1
1
3

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company‘s annual accounts were £0.9 million (2010: £1.2 million)  
and fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation were £0.4 million  
(2010: £0.6 million).

Amounts paid to the auditor for non-audit fees include transaction services fees of £0.5 million (2010: nil), the interim review fee of 
£0.2 million (2010: £0.2 million), other audit related services of £0.1 million (2010: £0.2 million) and tax fees of nil (2010: £0.2 million).

8. employee benefits and key management compensation
a) Group employee benefits

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Costs of employee share option schemes(i)
Contributions to the Group’s pension schemes(ii)

2011
£m
651
80
67
27
825

2010
£m
631
76
32
27
766

(i) 

(ii) 

A £69 million charge relates to equity-settled share-based payments (2010: £35 million charge) and a credit of £2 million relates to cash-settled share-based payments 
(2010: £3 million credit). At 30 June 2011, there were no liabilities arising from share-based payment transactions (2010: £5 million).

The Group operates defined contribution pension schemes. The pension charge for the year represents the cost of contributions payable by the Group to the schemes 
during the year. The amount payable to the schemes by the Group at 30 June 2011 was £4 million (2010: £3 million).

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

8. employee benefits and key management compensation continued
The average monthly number of full-time equivalent persons (including temporary employees) employed by the Group during the year was 
as follows:

Channels and services
Customer service, sales and marketing
Transmission and technology
Management and administration

2011
Number
2,498
9,440
2,753
1,315
16,006

2010
Number
2,670
9,463
2,650
1,656
16,439

There are approximately 446 (2010: 538) temporary staff included within the average number of full-time equivalent persons employed by 
the Group.

b) key management compensation (see note 32d)

Short-term employee benefits
Share-based payments

2011
£m
5
6
11

2010
£m
5
4
9

Post-employment benefits were less than £1 million (2010: less than £1 million). The amounts disclosed for key management compensation 
are included within the disclosures in note 8(a).

9. taxation
a) taxation recognised in the income statement

Current tax expense
Current year
Adjustment in respect of prior years
total current tax charge
Deferred tax expense
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustment in respect of prior years
total deferred tax (credit) charge
taxation

Continuing operations
Discontinued operations (see note 10)

2011
£m

386
(115)
271

(17)
10
(7)
264

256
8
264

2010
£m

305
(23)
282

9
4
13
295

294
1
295

Taxation relates to a £264 million UK corporation tax charge (2010: £288 million) and a Luxembourg corporation tax charge of nil (2010: 
£7 million).

b) taxation recognised directly in equity

Current tax credit relating to share-based payments
Deferred tax credit relating to share-based payments
Deferred tax (credit) charge relating to cash flow hedges

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
76

2011
£m
(2)
(17)
(25)
(44)

2010
£m
–
(9)
20
11

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

c) reconciliation of effective tax rate

The tax expense for the year is lower (2010: lower) than the expense that would have been charged using the standard rate of 
corporation tax in the UK (27.5%) applied to profit (loss) before tax. The applicable enacted or substantively enacted effective rate of 
UK corporation tax for the year was 27.5% (2010: 28%). The differences are explained below:

Profit (loss) before tax:
– Continuing operations
– Discontinued operations

Profit before tax multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 27.5% (2010: 28%)
effects of:
Non-deductible expense(i)
Deferred tax write off following tax rate change
Tax attributed to discontinued operations
Tax exempt gain on discontinued operations
Tax exempt gain on disposal of available-for-sale investments(ii)
Over provision in respect of prior years (i)
taxation

2011
£m

1,014
60
1,074
295

83
2
8
(17)
(2)
(105)
264

2010
£m

1,190
(17)
1,173
328

17
–
1
–
(32)
(19)
295

(i) 

(ii) 

This includes the tax effect of agreeing a number of historic issues with HMRC resulting in a credit to prior year tax liability and a debit to current year tax liability.

This is the tax effect of the gain on disposal of the available-for-sale investments relating to the Group’s investments in Shine for the year ended 30 June 2011 and ITV for 
the year ended 30 June 2010, see note 6.

10. Discontinued operations
On 1 September 2010, the Group completed the sale of its business-to-business telecommunications operation, easynet Global 
Services (“easynet”), to Lloyds Development Capital (“LDC”) for £100 million. Subsequent to this an agreed working capital adjustment 
reduced total net consideration to £94 million.

The Group retains the UK network assets that it acquired as part of the original acquisition of easynet Group in 2005. As part of the 
sale, the Group and LDC entered into a long-term supply agreement to grant easynet continued access to the Group’s fibre network 
and easynet continues to be a key supplier of data network and hosting services to the Group.

easynet represented a separate major line of business for the Group. As a result its operations have been treated as discontinued 
for the year ended 30 June 2011 and the year ended 30 June 2010. A single amount is shown on the face of the consolidated income 
statement comprising the post-tax result of discontinued operations and the post-tax profit recognised on the disposal of the 
discontinued operation.

A pre-tax profit of £62 million arose on the disposal of easynet being the net proceeds of disposal less the carrying amount of easynet’s 
net liabilities and attributable goodwill.

The results of discontinued operations, which have been included in the consolidated income statement, were as follows:

Revenue
Operating expense
operating loss
Profit on disposal
profit (loss) before tax
Attributable tax expense(ii)
profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations

(i) 

(ii) 

Results for the year ended 30 June 2011 include the results of discontinued operations up to the date of disposal (1 September 2010).

Attributable tax expense comprises nil (2010: £1 million) in respect of operating activities and £8 million (2010: nil) arising as a result of the disposal.

2011(i)
£m
32
(34)
(2)
62
60
(8)
52

2010
£m
203
(220)
(17)
–
(17)
(1)
(18)

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

10. Discontinued operations continued
The net liabilities of easynet at the date of disposal were:

Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment

Current assets
Inventory
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Deferred tax liability

total liabilities
net liabilities

Total consideration
Net liabilities disposed
Attributable goodwill
Foreign exchange recycled to the income statement on disposal
Other
net profit on disposal

Consideration received in cash and cash equivalents
Less: cash and cash equivalents disposed of
net cash inflow arising on disposal

1 September 
2010 
£m

21
40
61

1
47
16
64
125

83
1
84

37
5
42
126
(1)

94
1
(30)
(4)
1
62

94
(16)
78

During the year, cash flows attributable to easynet comprised a net operating cash outflow of £7 million (2010: inflow of £7 million) and a 
net cash inflow in respect of investing activities of £76 million (2010: outflow of £15 million).

11. earnings per share
The weighted average number of shares for the year was:

Ordinary shares
eSOP trust ordinary shares
Basic shares
Dilutive ordinary shares from share options
Diluted shares

2011
Millions of
shares
1,753
(10)
1,743
20
1,763

2010
Millions of
shares
1,753
(10)
1,743
11
1,754

The calculation of diluted earnings per share excludes 2 million share options (2010: 11 million), which could potentially dilute earnings per 
share in the future, but which have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they are anti-dilutive in the year.

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit or loss for the year into the weighted average number of shares 
for the year. In order to provide a measure of underlying performance, management have chosen to present an adjusted profit for the year 
which excludes items that may distort comparability. Such items arise from events or transactions that fall within the ordinary activities of 
the Group but which management believes should be separately identified to help explain underlying performance.

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Reconciliation from profit for the year from continuing operations to adjusted profit for the year from continuing operations
Profit for the year from continuing operations
Living Tv restructuring costs (see note 3)
Costs in relation to News Corporation proposal (see note 3)
Recovery of import duty on set-top boxes (see note 3)
Remeasurement of all derivative financial instruments not qualifying for hedge accounting and hedge ineffectiveness (see note 5)
Profit on disposal of available-for-sale investment (see note 6)
Litigation settlement income relating to claim against eDS (see note 4)
Investment income on litigation settlement (see note 4)
Legal costs relating to claim against eDS (see note 3)
Cancellation of accounts payable on settlement of claim against eDS (see note 3)
Cost relating to restructuring exercise (see note 3)
Receipt on closure of joint venture (see note 16)
Tax credit on settlement of liability(i)
Tax effect of above items
Adjusted profit for the year from continuing operations

(i) 

Tax credit arising on the settlement of the pre-acquisition tax liabilities of a subsidiary of the Group.

earnings (loss) per share from profit (loss) for the year
Basic
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total

Diluted
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total
Adjusted earnings per share from adjusted profit for the year from continuing operations
Basic
Diluted

12. Dividends

Dividends declared and paid during the year
2009 Final dividend paid: 10.10p per ordinary share
2010 Interim dividend paid: 7.875p per ordinary share
2010 Final dividend paid: 11.525p per ordinary share
2011 Interim dividend paid: 8.74p per ordinary share

2011
£m

758
26
15
(41)
(18)
(9)
–
–
–
–
–
–
(15)
9
725

2010
£m

896
–
–
–
(13)
(115)
(269)
(49)
1
(5)
32
(3)
–
85
560

2011
pence

2010
pence

43.5p
3.0p
46.5p

43.0p
2.9p
45.9p

41.6p
41.1p

2011
£m

–
–
201
152
353

51.4p
(1.0)p
50.4p

51.1p
(1.0)p
50.1p

32.1p
31.9p

2010
£m

176
138
–
–
314

The 2011 final dividend proposed is 14.54 pence per ordinary share being £253 million. The dividend was not declared at the balance 
sheet date and is therefore not recognised as a liability as at 30 June 2011.
Dividends are paid between Group companies out of profits available for distribution subject to, inter alia, the provisions of the 
companies’ articles of association and the Companies Act 2006. The eSOP has waived its rights to dividends.

AnnuAl report 2011   
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS
continued

13. Goodwill

Carrying value
At 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010
Purchase of Living Tv Group (“Living Tv”)
Purchase of The Cloud Networks Limited (“The Cloud”)
Other purchases
Disposal of easynet enterprise
At 30 june 2011

£m

852
79
38
5
(30)
944

Goodwill has principally arisen from the Group’s purchases of the Sports Internet Group (“SIG”), British Interactive Broadcasting (“BiB”), 365 
Media, Amstrad, Living Tv and The Cloud. Impairment reviews were performed on these goodwill balances at 30 June 2011, which did not 
indicate impairment.
The amount of goodwill deductible for tax purposes is £103 million (2010: nil). Goodwill, allocated by cash generating unit, is analysed as 
follows:

Broadcast(i)
Betting and gaming(ii)
easynet enterprise(iii)

2011
£m
795
149
–
944

2010
£m
673
149
30
852

The Broadcast unit includes intangibles with indefinite lives of £25 million (2010: nil).

Recoverable amounts for the cash generating units were calculated on the basis of value in use or fair value less costs to sell as 
appropriate, using cash flows calculated for the next five years as forecast by management. A long-term growth rate of 3% was applied 
in order to extrapolate cash flow projections beyond this period, based on future industry expectations. The cash flows were discounted 
using a pre-tax discount rate of 9% (2010: 10.4%).

In determining the applicable discount rate, management applied judgment in respect of several factors, which included, inter alia: 
assessing the risk attached to future cash flows and making reference to the capital asset pricing model (the “CAPM”). Management gave 
consideration to the selection of appropriate inputs to the CAPM, which included the risk free rate, the equity risk premium and a measure 
of systematic risk. Management also considers capital structure and an appropriate cost of debt in arriving at the discount rate.

i) Broadcast

The Broadcast unit includes goodwill arising from the purchase of easynet’s UK broadband network assets, easynet’s UK residential 
business, 365 Media’s content business, BiB, Amstrad, Living Tv and The Cloud. The key assumptions, on which forecast five year cash flows 
of the Broadcast unit were based, include the number of gross customer additions, the rate of churn, the average revenue per user, levels 
of programming spend, acquisition costs per customer and anticipated changes in the product mix and marketing mix of the broadcast 
business. The values assigned to each of these assumptions were determined based on the extrapolation of historical trends within the 
Group, and external information on expected future trends in the UK and Ireland entertainment and communications industry.

ii) Betting and gaming
The Betting and gaming unit includes goodwill arising from the purchase of SIG and 365 Media’s betting businesses. The key assumptions, 
on which forecast five year cash flows were based, include the number of weekly unique users, the number of bets placed per user 
per week, the average stake per user per week and the average spend per active user per week. The values assigned to each of these 
assumptions were determined based on an extrapolation of historical trends within the unit, and external information on expected future 
trends in betting and gaming.

iii) easynet enterprise
The easynet enterprise unit included goodwill arising from the purchase of easynet’s enterprise broadband business in the UK and other 
european countries. The Group completed the sale of this business during the year (see note 10).

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

14. Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 July 2009
Foreign exchange movements
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
At 30 june 2010
Additions from business combinations
Additions
Disposals
Disposals of discontinued operations
Transfers
At 30 june 2011
Amortisation
At 1 July 2009
Foreign exchange movements
Amortisation
Impairments
Disposals
At 30 june 2010
Amortisation
Impairments
Disposals
Disposals of discontinued operations
At 30 june 2011
Carrying amounts
At 1 July 2009
At 30 June 2010
At 30 june 2011

Internally 
generated 
intangible 
assets 
£m

Software 
development 
(external) 
£m

Software 
licences 
£m

Other 
intangible 
assets 
£m

Internally 
generated 
intangible 
assets not 
yet available 
for use 
£m

Acquired 
intangible 
assets not 
yet available 
for use 
£m

124
–
51
(6)
5
174
–
49
(23)
(5)
19
214

58
–
37
3
(6)
92
35
2
(23)
(3)
103

66
82
111

302
–
12
(10)
1
305
–
22
(51)
(2)
73
347

205
–
59
1
(10)
255
53
1
(51)
(2)
256

97
50
91

101
(1)
19
–
1
120
2
3
(22)
(17)
2
88

62
(1)
20
–
–
81
16
–
(22)
(11)
64

39
39
24

72
–
41
–
–
113
90
60
(1)
(19)
–
243

32
–
47
–
–
79
53
–
(1)
(6)
125

40
34
118

17
–
18
–
(3)
32
–
14
–
–
(20)
26

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

17
32
26

86
–
38
(22)
(3)
99
–
67
–
–
(74)
92

–
–
–
22
(22)
–
–
–
–
–
–

86
99
92

Total 
£m

702
(1)
179
(38)
1
843
92
215
(97)
(43)
–
1,010

357
(1)
163
26
(38)
507
157
3
(97)
(22)
548

345
336
462

The Group’s internally generated intangible assets relate to software development associated with our customer management systems 
and set-top boxes. The Group’s other intangible assets mainly include copyright licenses, customer lists and relationships, and patents 
and brands acquired in business combinations.
The estimated future amortisation charge on intangible assets with finite lives for each of the next five years is set out below. It is 
likely that future amortisation will vary from the figures below as the estimate does not include the impact of any future investments, 
disposals or capital expenditure.

estimated amortisation charge

2012
£m
159

2013
£m
96

2014
£m
69

2015
£m
18

2016
£m
18

For intangible assets acquired in business combinations the average amortisation period is 20 years (2010: 3 years).

Other intangible assets include certain assets with indefinite useful lives. The carrying value of these assets is £25 million (2010: nil).

AnnuAl report 2011   
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS
continued

15. property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 July 2009
Foreign exchange movements
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
At 30 june 2010
Additions from business combinations
Additions
Disposals
Disposals of discontinued operations
Transfers
At 30 june 2011
Depreciation
At 1 July 2009
Foreign exchange movements
Depreciation
Impairments
Disposals
At 30 june 2010
Depreciation
Impairments
Disposals
Disposals of discontinued operations
At 30 june 2011
Carrying amounts
At 1 July 2009
At 30 June 2010
At 30 june 2011

Freehold
land and
buildings(i)(ii)

£m

128
–
58
–
–
186
–
2
(1)
–
145
332

22
–
4
–
–
26
6
–
(1)
–
31

106
160
301

Leasehold
improvements
£m

equipment,
furniture 
and
fixtures
£m

Assets 
not yet
available 

for use(iii)
£m

77
–
2
(6)
–
73
–
2
(2)
(14)
–
59

29
–
4
–
(6)
27
1
–
(2)
(4)
22

48
46
37

931
(4)
152
(69)
30
1,040
3
167
(18)
(136)
83
1,139

477
(4)
160
2
(67)
568
167
2
(18)
(108)
611

454
472
528

191
–
64
(3)
(31)
221
–
39
–
(2)
(228)
30

–
–
–
3
(3)
–
–
–
–
–
–

191
221
30

Total
£m

1,327
(4)
276
(78)
(1)
1,520
3
210
(21)
(152)
–
1,560

528
(4)
168
5
(76)
621
174
2
(21)
(112)
664

799
899
896

(i) 

The amounts shown include assets held under finance leases with a net book value of £6 million (2010: £7 million). The cost of these assets was £11 million (2010: £11 million) 
and the accumulated depreciation was £5 million (2010: £4 million). Depreciation charged during the year on such assets was £1 million (2010: £1 million).

(ii) 

Depreciation was not charged on £88 million of land (2010: £88 million).

(iii)  During the year, £223 million (2010: nil) of assets were transferred from assets not yet available for use to freehold land and buildings and equipment, furniture and fixtures in 

relation to the new broadcast facility at Osterley, Middlesex.

AnnuAl report 2011     
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

16. Investments in joint ventures and associates
A list of the Group’s significant investments in joint ventures and associates, including the name, country of incorporation and 
proportion of ownership interest is given in note 34 to the consolidated financial statements.

The movement in joint ventures and associates during the year was as follows:

Share of net assets:
At 1 July
Movement in net assets
– Funding, net of repayments
– Dividends received
– Share of profits(i)
– exchange differences on translation of foreign joint ventures and associates
At 30 june

2011
£m

149

4
(29)
34
(7)
151

(i) 

Included within the share of profits for the year ended 30 June 2010 is £3 million related to an amount received on the closure of one of the Group’s joint ventures.

The Group’s share of any capital commitments and contingent liabilities of associates and joint ventures is shown in note 29.

a) Investments in joint ventures

Representing the Group’s share of each joint venture:

Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Revenue
expense
Taxation
Share of profit from joint ventures

b) Investments in associates

Representing a 100% share of each associate:

Total assets
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Revenue(i)
Profit(i)

(i) 

Revenue and profit numbers are provided for the full year ended 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2010.

17. Available-for-sale investments

Investment in ITv at cost
Impairment of ITv investment
Realised gain on ITv investment
Part disposal of ITv investment
Unrealised gain on ITv investment
Fair value of ItV investment
Other investments at cost

2011
£m
5
63
(32)
(7)
29
79
(59)
(4)
16

2011
£m
257
(66)
191
257
85

2011
£m
946
(807)
115
(196)
157
215
–
215

2010
£m

135

1
(30)
32
11
149

2010
£m
6
46
(24)
(6)
22
70
(51)
(4)
15

2010
£m
233
(60)
173
214
64

2010
£m
946
(807)
115
(196)
98
156
26
182

On 17 November 2006, the Group acquired 696 million shares in ITv, at a price of 135 pence per share, representing 17.9% of the issued 
capital of ITv, for a total consideration of £946 million including fees and taxes. The Group’s investment in ITv is carried at fair value. 

AnnuAl report 2011   
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS
continued

17. Available-for-sale investments continued
The fair value is determined with reference to its equity share price at the balance sheet date. An impairment in the carrying value was first 
recorded at 31 December 2007, due to the significant and prolonged decline in the equity share price. In accordance with IFRS, the Group 
has continued to review that carrying value and has recognised a cumulative impairment loss of £807 million in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009. 
This impairment loss was determined with reference to ITv’s closing equity share price of 20.0 pence at 27 March 2009, the last trading day 
of the Group’s third fiscal quarter in fiscal 2009. In line with IFRS, all subsequent increases in the fair value of the ITv investment above this 
impaired value have been recorded in the available-for-sale reserve.
On 8 February 2010 the Group placed a shareholding of 10.4% in ITv in accordance with the final undertakings given by the Group to the 
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills relating to the Group’s investment in ITv. The placing by the Group of 404,362,095 ITv 
shares at 48.5 pence per share resulted in aggregate consideration of £196 million. A profit of £115 million was realised on disposal being the 
excess of the consideration above the impaired value of the shares. The Group continues to hold just under 7.5% of the shares in ITv.
The disposal was exempt from tax under the provisions of the Substantial Shareholding exemption (SSe) and as such the SSe provisions 
would prevent any capital loss arising for tax purposes.
On 5 April 2011, the Group sold its available-for-sale investment in Shine. Further details of this transaction are disclosed in note 6.

18. Deferred tax
i) recognised deferred tax (liabilities) assets

At 1 July 2009
(Charge) credit to income
(Charge) credit to equity
At 30 June 2010
(Charge) credit to income
Credit to equity
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Disposal of subsidiary
effect of change in tax rate
– Income
– equity
At 30 june 2011

Accelerated
tax
depreciation
£m
(2)
(6)
–
(8)
(3)
–
22
3

Short-term
temporary 
differences
£m
6
–
–
6
(2)
–
–
2

Share-based
payments 
temporary
differences
£m
22
(6)
9
25
18
19
–
–

Financial
instruments
temporary
differences
£m
(11)
1
(20)
(30)
(5)
24
–
–

Tax losses
£m
2
(2)
–
–
1
–
–
–

–
–
14

–
–
1

–
–
6

(2)
(2)
58

–
1
(10)

Total
£m
17
(13)
(11)
(7)
9
43
22
5

(2)
(1)
69

Deferred tax assets have been recognised at 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2010 on the basis that, from management’s current forecast of the 
Group’s entities, it is probable that there will be suitable taxable profits against which these assets can be utilised. Tax losses are treated 
as unrecognised deferred tax assets if it is not considered probable that suitable future taxable profits will arise. During the year, any tax 
losses suffered by UK entities have been relieved against taxable profits in other UK entities in the Group.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which they reverse. The rate 
enacted or substantively enacted for the relevant periods of reversal is 26% as at 30 June 2011 (2010: 28%).
The Finance Act (No.2) 2010, which provides for a reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax from 28% to 27% effective from 1 April 
2011, was substantively enacted on 21 July 2010. The 2011 budget (delivered on 23 March 2011) announced a further reduction of 1% to the 
UK corporation tax rate, causing the rate to fall to 26% effective from 1 April 2011.
The Government has also indicated that it intends to introduce further reductions in the main tax rate, with the rate falling by 1% each year 
down to 23% by 1 April 2014. In particular Finance (No.3) Bill 2011 intends to reduce the main tax rate to 25% effective from 1 April 2012. These 
further reductions to the tax rate, below the 26% rate, have not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and are therefore 
not reflected in these consolidated financial statements.

The impact of the reduction to the main tax rate to 25% on the deferred tax attributes of the Group would be a reduction in the deferred 
tax asset by £2 million.

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset. The 
following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) 
for financial reporting purposes:

19. Inventories

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

ii) unrecognised deferred tax assets

Tax losses arising from trading
Tax losses arising from capital disposals and 
provisions against investments

2011
£m
79
(10)
69

2011
£m
300

366
666

2010
£m
31
(38)
(7)

2010
£m
338

403
741

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the 
items above because it is not probable that future taxable profits 
will be available against which the Group can utilise the losses.

At 30 June 2011, a deferred tax asset of £40 million (2010: £38 million) 
principally arising from UK losses in the Group, has not been 
recognised. These losses can only be offset against taxable profits 
generated in the entities concerned. There is currently insufficient 
evidence to support the recognition of a deferred tax asset relating to 
these losses. The UK trading losses can be carried forward indefinitely.

At 30 June 2011, a deferred tax asset of £260 million (2010: 
£300 million) has not been recognised in respect of overseas 
trading losses on the basis that it is not probable that these 
temporary differences will be utilised. These losses include 
£258 million (2010: £249 million) with respect to the Group’s 
German holding company’s former investment in KirchPayTv, 
£2 million (2010: nil) with respect to the recently acquired Cloud 
subsidiaries and nil (2010: £51 million) with respect to the Group’s 
former holdings in easynet’s overseas subsidiaries. The overseas 
trading losses can be carried forward indefinitely.

At 30 June 2011, a deferred tax asset of £354 million (2010: £391 
million) has not been recognised in respect of potential capital 
losses related to the Group’s former investment in KirchPayTv, on 
the basis that utilisation of these temporary differences is not 
probable. At 30 June 2011, the Group also has capital losses with a 
tax value estimated to be in excess of £12 million (2010: £12 million) 
including impairment of a football club and other investments, 
which have not been recognised as a deferred tax asset, on the 
basis that it is not probable that they will be utilised. The capital 
losses can be carried forward indefinitely.

Television programme rights
Set-top boxes and related equipment
Other inventories

2011
£m
265
98
12
375

2010
£m
255
73
15
343

At 30 June 2011, 85% (2010: 91%) of the television programme 
rights and 100% (2010: 100%) of set-top boxes and related 
equipment and other inventories is expected to be recognised in 
the income statement within 12 months.

20. trade and other receivables

Gross trade receivables
Less: provision for impairment of receivables
net trade receivables
Amounts receivable from joint ventures and associates
Amounts receivable from other related parties
Prepayments
Accrued income
vAT
Other
Current trade and other receivables
Non-current prepayments
total trade and other receivables

2011
£m
274
(195)
79
7
10
239
152
17
88
592
13
605

2010
£m
303
(153)
150
6
3
197
135
18
29
538
18
556

Included within current trade and other receivables is nil (2010: nil) 
which is due in more than one year.

The ageing of the Group’s net trade receivables which are past due 
but not impaired is as follows:

Up to 30 days past due date
30 to 60 days past due date
60 to 120 days past due date
More than 120 days past due date

2011
£m
62
1
2
2
67

2010
£m
50
6
5
4
65

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and 
other receivables approximates their fair values. The Group is 
exposed to credit risk on its trade and other receivables, however 
the Group does not have any significant concentrations of credit 
risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties 
and customers. Trade receivables principally comprise amounts 
outstanding from subscribers, advertisers and other customers.

provisions for doubtful debts

Balance at beginning of year
Amounts utilised
Income statement charge
Balance at end of year

2011
£m
153
–
42
195

2010
£m
118
(5)
40
153

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
85

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Book 1.indb   85

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS
continued

21. trade and other payables

Trade payables(i)
Amounts owed to joint ventures and associates
Amounts owed to other related parties
vAT
Accruals
Deferred income
Other
Current trade and other payables
Amounts owed to other related parties
Trade payables
Deferred income
Other
non-current trade and other payables
total trade and other payables

2011
£m
429
5
69
145
654
286
87
1,675
5
12
7
2
26
1,701

2010
£m
419
4
70
105
609
251
68
1,526
3
7
38
4
52
1,578

Included within trade payables are £182 million (2010: £169 million) of US dollar-denominated payables.

(i) 
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates their fair values. Trade payables principally 
comprise amounts outstanding for programming purchases and ongoing costs.

22. provisions

Current liabilities
Restructuring provision(i)
Acquired and acquisition related provisions(ii)
Other provisions(iii)

Non-current liabilities
Acquired and acquisition related provisions(ii)
Other provisions(iv)

At
1 July
2009
£m

Provided
during
the year
£m

Utilised
during
the year
£m

At
1 July
2010
£m

Provided
during
the year
£m

Utilised
during
the year
£m

At
30 June
2011
£m

–
14
4
18

1
11
12

7
4
2
13

–
2
2

–
(3)
(1)
(4)

(1)
(2)
(3)

7
15
5
27

–
11
11

–
4
5
9

–
1
1

(7)
(8)
–
(15)

–
(3)
(3)

–
11
10
21

–
9
9

(i) 
(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

During the year ended 30 June 2010 the Group provided £7 million for the expected costs of a restructuring exercise undertaken.
These provisions arose on the acquisition of Amstrad which took place during the year ended 30 June 2008. The amounts remaining at 30 June 2011 primarily relate to the 
settlement of outstanding claims.
Included in other provisions are amounts provided for onerous contracts for property leases, maintenance and legal disputes. The timing of the cash flows for onerous 
property leases and maintenance are dependent on the terms of the remaining leases. The timing of the cash flows for legal disputes cannot be reasonably determined.
Included within non-current other provisions are amounts provided for onerous contracts for property leases and maintenance. The timing of the cash flows are dependent on 
the terms of the leases, but are expected to continue up to June 2021.

23. Borrowings

Current borrowings
Obligations under finance leases(ii)
Non-current borrowings
US$750 million of 5.625% Guaranteed Notes repayable in October 2015(i)
£400 million of 5.750% Guaranteed Notes repayable in October 2017(i)
US$750 million of 6.100% Guaranteed Notes repayable in February 2018(i)
US$582.8 million of 9.500% Guaranteed Notes repayable in November 2018(i)
£300 million of 6.000% Guaranteed Notes repayable in May 2027(i)
US$350 million of 6.500% Guaranteed Notes repayable in October 2035(i)
Obligations under finance leases(ii)

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
86

2011
£m

8

490
406
476
383
295
214
61
2,325

2010
£m

8

533
407
511
413
295
229
62
2,450

Book 1.indb   86

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

(i) Guaranteed notes

At 30 June 2011, the Group had in issue the following Guaranteed Notes, which were issued by the Company:

US$750 million of 6.100% Guaranteed Notes repayable in February 2018
US$582.8 million of 9.500% Guaranteed Notes repayable in November 2018
£300 million of 6.000% Guaranteed Notes repayable in May 2027

Interest rate Hedging

Hedged Interest rates

Hedged 
value*
£m
387
389
300
1,076

Fixed
£m
290
–
300
590

Floating
£m
97
389
–
486

Fixed

Floating

6.829%
N/A
6.000%

6m LIBOR + 1.892%
6m LIBOR + 5.542%
N/A

At 30 June 2011, the Group had in issue the following Guaranteed Notes, which were issued by BSkyB Finance UK plc:

US$750 million of 5.625% Guaranteed Notes repayable in October 2015
£400 million of 5.750% Guaranteed Notes repayable in October 2017
US$350 million of 6.500% Guaranteed Notes repayable in October 2035

Interest rate Hedging

Hedged Interest rates

Hedged 
value*
£m
428
400
200
1,028

Fixed
£m
171
350
200
721

Floating
£m
257
50
–
307

Fixed

5.427%
5.750%
5.826%

Floating

6m LIBOR + 0.698%
6m LIBOR – 0.229%
N/A

At 30 June 2010, the Group had in issue the following Guaranteed Notes, which were issued by the Company:

US$750 million of 6.100% Guaranteed Notes repayable in February 2018
US$582.8 million of 9.500% Guaranteed Notes repayable in November 2018
£300 million of 6.000% Guaranteed Notes repayable in May 2027

Interest rate Hedging

Hedged Interest rates

Hedged 
value*
£m
387
389
300
1,076

Fixed
£m
290
–
300
590

Floating
£m
97
389
–
486

Fixed

Floating

6.829%
N/A
6.000%

6m LIBOR + 1.892%
6m LIBOR + 5.542%
N/A

At 30 June 2010, the Group had in issue the following Guaranteed Notes, which were issued by BSkyB Finance UK plc:

US$750 million of 5.625% Guaranteed Notes repayable in October 2015
£400 million of 5.750% Guaranteed Notes repayable in October 2017
US$350 million of 6.500% Guaranteed Notes repayable in October 2035

* 

Note: Hedged value is the final redemption value including any hedging

Interest rate Hedging

Hedged Interest rates

Hedged 
value*
£m
428
400
200
1,028

Fixed
£m
171
350
200
721

Floating
£m
257
50
–
307

Fixed

Floating

5.427% 6m LIBOR + 0.698%
5.750% 6m LIBOR – 0.229%
N/A
5.826%

The Group has a euro Medium Term Note Programme (the “Programme”), which provides the Group with a standardised documentation 
platform for senior debt issuance in the eurobond markets. The £300 million of 6.000% Guaranteed Notes maturing in May 2027 have 
been issued under the Programme, which allows issuance of up to £1 billion.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
87

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Book 1.indb   87

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

23. Borrowings continued
(ii) Finance leases

The minimum lease payments under finance leases fall due as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years

Future finance charges on finance lease liabilities
present value of finance lease liabilities

The main obligations under finance leases are in relation to:

2011
£m
8
8
8
8
8
161
201
(132)
69

2010
£m
8
8
8
8
8
169
209
(139)
70

(a)  finance arrangements in connection with the broadband network infrastructure. During the year, repayments of £7 million  

(2010: £7 million) were made against the lease. A proportion of these payments have been allocated against the capital outstanding. 
The lease bears interest at a rate of 11.1% and expires in November 2039.

(b)  finance arrangements in connection with the contact centre in Dunfermline. During the year, repayments of £1 million  

(2010: £1 million) were made against the lease. A proportion of these payments have been allocated against the capital amount 
outstanding. The lease bears interest at a rate of 8.5% and expires in September 2020.

(iii) revolving Credit Facility

The Group has a £750 million RCF with a maturity date of 30 July 2013, syndicated across 11 counterparty banks, each with a minimum credit 
rating of A–. At 30 June 2011, the RCF was undrawn (2010: undrawn).

There is an opportunity to request an extension of either one or two further years to the RCF, at the lenders’ discretion, with a potential 
final maturity of July 2015.

The Group is subject to two financial covenants under the RCF, a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum interest cover ratio, which are 
tested at the end of each six monthly period. The key financial covenants are the ratio of Net Debt to eBITDA (as defined in the loan 
agreements) and eBITDA to Net Interest Payable (as defined in the loan agreements). Net Debt to eBITDA must be no more then 3.00:1 and 
eBITDA to Net Interest Payable must be at least 3.50:1. The Group was in compliance with these covenants for all periods presented.

(iv) Guarantees

The following guarantees are in place relating to the Group’s borrowings: (a) British Sky Broadcasting Limited, Sky Subscribers Services 
Limited, BSkyB Finance UK plc and Sky In-Home Service Limited have given joint and several guarantees in relation to the Company’s 
£750 million RCF and the outstanding Guaranteed Notes issued by the Company (b) the Company, British Sky Broadcasting Limited, Sky 
Subscribers Services Limited and Sky In-Home Service Limited have given joint and several guarantees in relation to the outstanding 
Guaranteed Notes issued by BSkyB Finance UK plc.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
88

Book 1.indb   88

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

24. Derivatives and other financial instruments
Set out below are the derivative financial instruments entered into by the Group to manage its interest rate and foreign exchange risks.

2011

2010

Asset

Liability

Asset

Liability

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

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Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps
Cash flow hedges
Cross-currency swaps
Forward foreign exchange contracts
Currency options (collars)
Derivatives not in a formal hedge relationship
Forward foreign exchange contracts
Cross-currency swaps
embedded derivatives
total

95

133
8
4

2
44
–
286

812

661
442
28

67
353
–
2,363

–

–
(28)
–

–
(40)
–
(68)

–

–
783
28

9
390
–
1,210

The maturity of the derivative financial instruments is as follows:

In one year or less
Between one and two years
Between two and five years
In more than five years
total

l

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n
a
n
c
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98

181
77
11

1
70
–
438

Asset
£m
9
4
87
186
286

865

661
1,006
61

10
353
–
2,956

–

–
(8)
–

(2)
(16)
(1)
(27)

–

–
221
61

49
390
4
725

2011

2010

Liability
£m
(20)
(6)
(2)
(40)
(68)

Asset
£m
50
24
15
349
438

Liability
£m
(10)
(1)
–
(16)
(27)

Included within the fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts are a number of US dollar-denominated forward foreign exchange 
contracts which the Group has taken out with counterparty banks on behalf of its joint venture AeTN UK. On the same dates as these 
forward contracts were entered into, the Group entered into equal and opposite forward contracts with AeTN UK. As a result, the net 
fair value of these contracts to the Group was nil (2010: nil). The gross sterling notional value of these forward contracts at 30 June 2011 
was £2 million (2010: £1 million).
The fair value of the Group’s debt-related derivative portfolio at 30 June 2011 was a £232 million net asset (2010: net asset of 
£333 million) with net notional principal amounts totalling £1,454 million (2010: £1,454 million). This comprised: net assets of £133 million 
designated as cash flow hedges (2010: net assets of £181 million), net assets of £95 million designated as fair value hedges (2010: net 
assets of £98 million) and net assets of £4 million not designated in a formal hedge relationship (2010: net assets of £54 million).

At 30 June 2011, the carrying value of financial assets that were, upon initial recognition, designated as financial assets at fair value 
through profit or loss was nil (2010: nil).

Hedge accounting classification and impact

The Group has designated its interest rate swaps as fair value hedges of interest rate risk, representing 37% (2010: 37%) of the Group’s 
debt portfolio. Movements in the fair value of the hedged items are taken to the income statement and are offset by movements in the 
fair value of the hedging instruments, to the extent that hedge accounting is achieved.

The Group has designated its fixed rate cross-currency swaps as cash flow hedges of 34% (2010: 35%) of the Group’s debt portfolio. 
As such, the effective portion of the gain or loss on these contracts is reported as a separate component of the hedging reserve, and 
is then reclassified to the income statement in the same periods that the forecast transactions affect the income statement. During 
the current year, losses of £54 million were removed from the hedging reserve and credited to finance costs in the income statement to 
offset the currency translation movements in the underlying hedged debt (2010: gains of £78 million).

The Group designates its forward foreign exchange contracts and the intrinsic element of options (collars) as cash flow hedges of 
forecast foreign currency sales and purchases. Gains or losses are released from the hedging reserve and recycled to the income 
statement in the same period as the hedged item is recognised. If forecast transactions are no longer expected to occur, any amounts 
included in the hedging reserve related to that forecast transaction would be recognised directly in the income statement. During the 
current year gains of £2 million were removed from the hedging reserve and credited to operating expense in the income statement 
(2010: gains of £13 million). Gains of £11 million were removed from the hedging reserve and credited to revenue in the income statement 
(2010: losses of £2 million).

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
89

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Book 1.indb   89

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

24. Derivatives and other financial instruments continued
Hedge effectiveness testing is performed quarterly using the dollar-offset approach. The actual movement in the hedging items is compared 
with the movement in the valuation of the hypothetically perfect hedge of the underlying risk at inception, and any ineffectiveness is 
recognised directly in the income statement. £3 million of ineffectiveness was recognised in the income statement during the current year 
(2010: £2 million).

A hedge relationship is deemed to be effective if the ratio of changes in valuation of the underlying hedged item and the hedging instrument 
is within the range of 80% to 125%. Any relationship which has a ratio outside this range is deemed to be ineffective, at which point hedge 
accounting is suspended. During the year ended 30 June 2011, there were no instances in which the hedge relationship was not highly 
effective (2010: no instances).

Financial instruments

(a) Carrying value and fair value
The accounting classification of each class of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities, together with their fair values, is as follows:

Held to
maturity
investments
£m

Available–
for-sale
£m

Derivatives
deemed held
for trading
£m

Derivatives in
hedging
relationships
£m

Loans and
receivables
£m

Other
 liabilities
£m

Total carrying
value
£m

Total fair
value
£m

At 30 June 2011
Quoted bond debt
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Obligations under finance leases
and other borrowings
Available-for-sale investments
Trade and other receivables
Short-term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents
At 30 June 2010
Quoted bond debt
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Obligations under finance leases
and other borrowings
Available-for-sale investments
Trade and other receivables
Short-term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
430
150

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
400
148

–
–
–
–

–
215
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
182
–
–
–

–
6
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
52
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
212
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
359
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
332
–
771

–
–
–
–

–
–
334
–
501

(2,264)
–
(1,189)
(15)

(69)
–
–
–
–

(2,388)
–
(1,174)
(16)

(70)
–
–
–
–

(2,264)
218
(1,189)
(15)

(69)
215
332
430
921

(2,388)
411
(1,174)
(16)

(70)
182
334
400
649

(2,500)
218
(1,189)
(15)

(69)
215
332
430
921

(2,619)
411
(1,174)
(16)

(70)
182
334
400
649

The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are determined as follows:
●  The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities with standard terms and conditions and which are traded on active liquid 

markets is determined with reference to quoted market prices;

●  The fair value of other financial assets and financial liabilities (excluding derivative instruments) is determined in accordance with 

generally accepted pricing models based on discounted cash flow analysis using prices from observable current market transactions 
and dealer quotes for similar instruments;

●  Foreign currency forward contracts and options are measured using quoted forward exchange rates and yield curves derived from 

quoted interest rates matching maturities of the contracts;

● 

Interest rate and cross currency swaps are measured at the present value of future cash flows estimated and discounted based on the 
applicable yield curves derived from quoted interest rates; and

●  The fair value of obligations under finance leases and other borrowings is estimated by discounting the future cash flows to net 

present value. The fair value of short-term deposits and cash and cash equivalents is equivalent to carrying value due to the short-term 
nature of these instruments.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
90

Book 1.indb   90

12/10/11   20:47:11

CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

The differences between carrying values and fair values reflect unrealised gains or losses inherent in the financial instruments, based 
on valuations as at 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2010. The volatile nature of the markets means that values at any subsequent date could 
be significantly different from the values reported above.

Cash and cash equivalents classified as held to maturity investments comprise money market deposits which have maturity dates of 
less than three months from inception. Money market deposits, enhanced return investments and tri-party repurchase agreements 
which have maturity greater than three months from inception are classified as short-term deposits.

Cash and cash equivalents classified as loans and receivables mainly comprise investments in AAA rated money market funds which can 
be withdrawn without notice.

(b) Fair value hierarchy
The following table categorises the Group’s financial instruments which are held at fair value into 1 of 3 levels to reflect the degree to 
which observable inputs are used in determining their fair values:

At 30 June 2011 
Assets measured at fair value 
Available-for-sale financial instruments
ITv investment
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Interest rate swaps
Cross currency swaps
Forward foreign exchange and option contracts
total
Liabilities measured at fair value 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Cross currency swaps
Forward foreign exchange and option contracts
total
At 30 June 2010 
Assets measured at fair value 
Available-for-sale financial instruments
ITv investment
Other investments at cost
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Interest rate swaps
Cross currency swaps
Forward foreign exchange and option contracts
total
Liabilities measured at fair value 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Cross currency swaps
Forward foreign exchange and option contracts
embedded derivatives
total

Fair value
£m

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

215

95
177
14
501

(40)
(28)
(68)

156
26

98
251
89
620

(16)
(10)
(1)
(27)

215

–
–
–
215

–
–
–

156
–

–
–
–
156

–
–
–
–

–

95
177
14
286

(40)
(28)
(68)

–
–

98
251
89
438

(16)
(10)
(1)
(27)

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
26

–
–
–
26

–
–
–
–

Level 1
Fair values measured using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2
Fair values measured using inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability either 
directly or indirectly.

Level 3
Fair values measured using inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
91

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS
continued

25. Financial risk management
Group treasury activity

The Group’s Treasury function is responsible for raising finance 
for the Group’s operations, together with associated liquidity 
management and management of foreign exchange, interest 
rate and credit risks. Treasury operations are conducted within a 
framework of policies and guidelines authorised and reviewed by 
both the Audit Committee and the Board, which receive regular 
updates of Treasury activity. Derivative instruments are transacted 
for risk management purposes only. It is the Group’s policy that 
all hedging is to cover known risks and no speculative trading is 
undertaken. Regular and frequent reporting to management is 
required for all transactions and exposures, and the internal control 
environment is subject to periodic review by the Group’s internal 
audit team.

The Group’s principal market risks are exposures to changes in 
interest rates and foreign exchange rates, which arise both from 
the Group’s sources of finance and its operations. Following 
evaluation of those market risks, the Group selectively enters 
into derivative financial instruments to manage these exposures. 
The principal instruments currently used are interest rate swaps 
to hedge interest rate risks, and cross currency swaps, forward 
foreign exchange contracts and currency options (collars) to hedge 
transactional and translational currency exposures.

Interest rate risk

The Group has financial exposures to both UK and US interest 
rates, arising primarily from the Group’s long-term bonds and other 
borrowings. The Group’s hedging policy requires that between 
50% and 75% of borrowings are held at fixed rates. This is achieved 
by issuing fixed rate bonds and then using interest rate swaps 
to adjust the balance between fixed and floating rate debt. The 
Group’s bank debt is at floating rates, and, when drawn, means that 
the mix of fixed and floating rate debt fluctuates and is therefore 
managed to ensure compliance with the Group’s hedging policy. 
At 30 June 2011, 62% of borrowings were held at fixed rates after 
hedging (2010: 62%).

The Group uses derivatives to convert all of its US dollar-
denominated debt and associated interest rate obligations to 
pounds sterling (see section on foreign exchange risk for further 
detail). At 30 June 2011, the Group had no net US dollar denominated 
interest rate exposure on its borrowings.

The Group designates its interest rate swaps as fair value hedges 
of interest rate risk. Movements in the fair value of the hedged 
exposure are taken to the income statement and are offset by 
movements in the fair value of the hedging instruments, which are 
also taken to the income statement. Any hedge ineffectiveness is 
recognised directly in the income statement. In the year ended  
30 June 2011, this amounted to £3 million (2010: £2 million).

At 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2010, the Group’s annual finance costs 
would be unaffected by any change to the Group’s credit rating in 
either direction.

Interest rate sensitivity

The sensitivity analyses below have been determined based on the 
exposure to interest rates for both derivatives and non-derivative 
financial instruments at the balance sheet date. For floating rate 
liabilities, the analysis is prepared assuming the amount of liability 
outstanding at the balance sheet date is outstanding for the whole 
year.

For each one hundred basis point rise or fall in interest rates at 
30 June 2011, and if all other variables were held constant:

●  The Group’s profit for the year ended 30 June 2011 would 

increase or decrease by £6 million (2010: profit for the year 
would increase or decrease by £3 million). The year on year 
increase is driven by an increase in the cash balance held.

●  Other equity reserves would decrease or increase by £17 

million (2010: decrease or increase by £17 million), arising from 
movements in cash flow hedges.

A one hundred basis point rise or fall in interest rates represents a 
large but realistic movement which can easily be multiplied to give 
sensitivities at different interest rates.

The sensitivity analyses provided are hypothetical only and should 
be used with caution as the impacts provided are not necessarily 
indicative of the actual impacts that would be experienced because 
the Group’s actual exposure to market rates changes as the Group’s 
portfolio of debt, cash and foreign currency contracts changes. 
In addition, the effect of a change in a particular market variable 
on fair values or cash flows is calculated without considering 
interrelationships between the various market rates or mitigating 
actions that would be taken by the Group. The changes in valuations 
are estimates of the impact of changes in market variables and are 
not a prediction of future events or anticipated gains or losses.

Foreign exchange risk

A combination of cross-currency and interest rate swap 
arrangements is used to convert the Group’s US dollar denominated 
debt and associated interest rate obligations to pounds sterling, 
at fixed exchange rates. At 30 June 2011, the split of the Group’s 
aggregate borrowings into their core currencies was US dollar 66% 
and pounds sterling 34% (2010: US dollar 68% and pounds sterling 
32%). At 30 June 2011, 100% of the Group’s long-term borrowings, 
after the impact of derivatives, are denominated in pounds sterling.

The Group’s revenues and operating expenses are substantially 
denominated in pounds sterling. A small proportion of operating 
expenses is denominated in US dollars, while a small proportion of 
revenues is denominated in euros. In the current year, approximately 
11% of operating expenses (£595 million) was denominated in US 
dollars (2010: approximately 11% (£537 million)) and 6% of revenues 
was denominated in euros (2010: 8%).

The US dollar expense relates mainly to the Group’s programming 
contracts with US suppliers, together with US dollar-denominated 
set-top box costs. The euro revenues are primarily due to 
subscribers located in Ireland. The Group’s exposure to euro-

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
92

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

denominated revenue is offset to a certain extent by euro-
denominated costs, related mainly to certain transponder costs; 
the net position being a euro surplus (2010: surplus).

The Group hedges currency exposures on US dollar and euro-
denominated highly probable cash flows by using forward foreign 
exchange contracts and options (collars) purchased up to five 
years ahead of the cash flow.

It is the Group’s policy that all anticipated foreign currency 
exposures are substantially hedged in advance of the year in which 
they occur.

At 30 June 2011, the Group had purchased forward foreign 
exchange contracts and collars representing up to:

●  Approximately 90% of US dollar-denominated costs falling 

due within one year (2010: 85%), and approximately 80% of US 
dollar-denominated costs falling due within five years (2010: 
approximately 80%) which are hedged via

● 

● 

 Outstanding commitments to purchase, in aggregate, 
US$1,456 million (2010: US$1,310 million) at an average rate 
of US$1.59 to £1.00 (2010: US$1.58 to £1.00).

 Collars relating to the purchase of a total of US$45 million 
(2010: US$91 million) in aggregate.

●  Approximately 80% of net euro-denominated exposures 

relating to revenues and transponder costs falling due within 
18 months (2010: approximately 80%), which are hedged via

● 

● 

 Outstanding commitments to sell, in aggregate, 
€405 million (2010: €440 million) at an average rate of €1.16 
(2010: €1.13).

 Outstanding commitments to purchase, in aggregate, 
€22 million (2010: €58 million) at an average rate of €1.13 
(2010: €1.13).

●  No forward foreign exchange contracts or collars fall due 

beyond five years (2010: none).

The Group designates the following as cash flow hedges for hedge 
accounting purposes:

●  Forward foreign exchange contracts.

●  The intrinsic value of collars (all other fair value movements are 

recognised directly in the income statement).

●  Cross-currency swaps where interest on both legs is at a fixed 

interest rate.

As such, the effective portion of the gain or loss on these 
contracts is reported as a component of the hedging reserve, 
outside the income statement, and is then reclassified to 
the income statement in the same periods that the forecast 
transactions affect the income statement. Ineffectiveness of less 
than £1 million was recognised in the income statement during the 
year (2010: less than £1 million).

During the year, the Group exchanged £55 million for US dollars 
(2010: £19 million) and €7 million was exchanged for pounds 
sterling (2010: €63 million) on currency spot markets.

A combination of US dollar denominated interest rate and 
USD/GBP cross currency swaps is used to convert fixed dollar 
denominated debt to floating sterling denominated debt. The 
interest rate swaps are designated as fair value hedges. The 
associated cross currency swaps are not designated as hedging 
instruments for hedge accounting purposes and, as such, 
movements in their value are recorded directly in the income 
statement.

Foreign exchange sensitivity

The following analyses details the Group’s sensitivity to 
movements in pounds sterling against those currencies in which 
it has significant transactions. The sensitivity analysis includes 
foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at the balance 
sheet date and outstanding foreign currency denominated 
financial instruments and adjusts their translation at the period 
end for a 25% change in foreign currency rates, representing 
the maximum currency exposure reported to management on a 
regular basis.

A 25% strengthening in pounds sterling against the US dollar 
would have the effect of reducing profit by £29 million (2010: 
reducing profit by £36 million), of which losses of £29 million relate 
to non-cash movements in the valuation of derivatives (2010: 
losses of £35 million). The same strengthening would have an 
adverse impact on other equity of £185 million (2010: adverse 
impact of £198 million).

A 25% weakening in pounds sterling against the US dollar would 
have the effect of increasing profit by £48 million (2010: increasing 
profit by £59 million) of which gains of £48 million relate to 
non-cash movements in the valuation of derivatives (2010: gains 
of £58 million). The same weakening would have a beneficial 
impact on other equity of £309 million (2010: beneficial impact of 
£330 million).

A 25% strengthening in pounds sterling against the euro 
would have the effect of increasing profit by £1 million (2010: 
increasing profit by £2 million). None of this amount relates to 
non-cash movements in the valuation of derivatives. The same 
strengthening would have a beneficial impact on other equity of 
£70 million (2010: beneficial impact of £69 million).

A 25% weakening in pounds sterling against the euro would have 
the effect of reducing profit by £2 million (2010: reducing profit by 
£4 million). None of this amount relates to non-cash movements 
in the valuation of derivatives. The same weakening would have 
an adverse impact on other equity of £117 million (2010: adverse 
impact of £115 million).

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
93

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued
25. Financial risk management continued
The sensitivity analyses provided are hypothetical only and should 
be used with caution as the impacts provided are not necessarily 
indicative of the actual impacts that would be experienced because 
the Group’s actual exposure to market rates is constantly changing 
as the Group’s portfolio of debt, cash and foreign currency contracts 
changes. In addition, the effect of a change in a particular market 
variable on fair values or cash flows is calculated without considering 
interrelationships between the various market rates or mitigating 
actions that would be taken by the Group. The changes in valuations 
are estimates of the impact of changes in market variables and are 
not a prediction of future events or anticipated gains or losses.

liquidity risk

Our principal source of liquidity is cash generated from operations, 
combined with access to a £750 million RCF, which expires in July 
2013, with the right to request an extension of either one or two 
further years. At 30 June 2011, this facility was undrawn (30 June 
2010: undrawn).

To ensure continuity of funding, the Group’s policy is to ensure that 
available funding matures over a period of years. At 30 June 2011, 
59% (2010: 76%) of the Group’s total available funding (including 
available undrawn amounts on our RCF) was due to mature in more 
than five years.

Full details of the Group’s borrowings and undrawn facilities are 
shown in note 23, other than trade and other payables, shown in 
note 21, and provisions, shown in note 22.

Hedge accounting

The interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk sections above 
outline the Group’s policies regarding use of derivative products. 
Further detail on valuations and the impact of hedge accounting 
during the year are provided in note 24.

Credit risk

The Group is exposed to counterparty default risk amounting to 
invested cash and cash equivalents and short-term deposits, and 
the positive fair value of derivative financial assets held.

This risk is deemed to be low. Counterparty risk forms a central part 
of the Group’s Treasury policy, which is monitored and reported 
on regularly. The Group manages credit risk by diversifying its 
exposures across a wide number of counterparties, such that the 
maximum exposure to any individual counterparty was less than 
14% of the total asset value of instruments at the end of the year. 
Treasury policies ensure that all transactions are only effected with 
strong relationship banks and, at the date of signing, each carried 
a minimum credit rating of “A-” or equivalent from Moody’s and 
Standard & Poor’s.

The amount recognised in the income statement in respect of credit 
risk for derivatives deemed held for trading is nil (2010: nil).

Credit risk in our residential customer base is mitigated by billing and 
collecting in advance for digital television subscriptions for over 99% 
of our residential customer base. The Group’s maximum exposure to 
credit risk on trade receivables is the carrying amounts as disclosed 
in note 20.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
94

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

The following table analyses the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities, net-settled derivative financial instruments and gross 
settled financial instruments into relevant maturity groupings, based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date to the 
contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows. These amounts may not 
reconcile to the amounts disclosed on the balance sheet for borrowings, derivative financial instruments, provisions and trade and 
other payables.

At 30 June 2011
Non derivative financial liabilities
Bonds – USD
Bonds – GBP
Obligations under finance leases and other borrowings
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Net settled derivatives
Financial assets
Gross settled derivatives
Outflow
Inflow

At 30 June 2010
Non derivative financial liabilities
Bonds – USD
Bonds – GBP
Obligations under finance leases and other borrowings
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Net settled derivatives
Financial assets
Gross settled derivatives
Outflow
Inflow

Capital risk management

Less
 than
12 months
£m

Between
one and
two years
£m

Between
two and
five years
£m

More 
 than
five years
£m

104
41
8
1,111
8

(33)

885
(871)

104
41
8
72
6

(33)

417
(410)

766
123
24
6
2

1,470
933
161
–
2

(94)

(48)

824
(856)

1,313
(1,427)

Less
than
12 months
£m

Between
one and
two years
£m

Between
two and
five years
£m

More
than
five years
£m

111
41
8
1,123
6

111
41
8
45
3

333
123
24
6
6

2,172
985
169
–
2

(35)

(35)

(105)

(79)

819
(865)

414
(443)

424
(456)

1,805
(2,100)

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to endeavour to ensure that the Group has the ability to access capital markets 
when necessary and to optimise liquidity and operating flexibility through the arrangement of new debt, while seeking to minimise 
the cost of capital. The Group monitors its liquidity requirements regularly and is satisfied that it has access to sufficient liquidity and 
operating flexibility to meet its capital requirements.

The Group manages its short and long-term capital structure by seeking to maintain leverage ratios consistent with a long-term 
investment grade credit rating (BBB- or better from Standard & Poor’s and Baa3 or better from Moody’s). The Group’s current ratings 
are BBB+ (Standard & Poor’s) and Baa1 (Moody’s). The leverage ratios assessed by these rating agencies are those of Net Debt: 
eBITDA and Gross Debt: eBITDA. Net Debt is defined as total borrowings, including the cash flows arising under operating leases and 
transponder prepayments, less cash and cash equivalents, excluding derivatives. Gross Debt does not reduce total borrowings by the 
inclusion of cash and cash equivalents.

The Group is also required to maintain a Net Debt: eBITDA ratio below 3.00:1 under the terms of its RCF. The RCF definition of Net Debt 
does not require the inclusion of future operating lease or transponder cash flows.

At 30 June 2011, the Net Debt: eBITDA ratio as defined by the terms of the RCF was 0.6:1 (2010: 0.9:1).

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
95

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS
continued

26. Share capital

Allotted, called-up and fully paid shares of 50p
1,752,842,599 (2010: 1,752,842,599)

2011
£m

876

2010
£m

876

The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carries equal 
voting rights and no contractual right to receive payment.

Share option and contingent share award schemes

The Company operates various equity-settled share option schemes 
(the “Schemes”) for certain employees.

The number of newly issued shares which may be allocated under 
the Schemes on any day shall not, when aggregated with the 
number of newly issued shares which have been allocated in the 
previous ten years under the Schemes and any other employee 
share scheme adopted by the Company, exceed such number as 
represents five percent of the ordinary share capital of the Company 
in issue immediately prior to that day. In determining this limit no 
account shall be taken of any newly issued shares where the right to 
acquire the newly issued shares was released, lapsed, cancelled or 
otherwise became incapable of exercise. Options and awards which 
will be satisfied by eSOP shares do not fall within these headroom 
limits.

The share awards outstanding can be summarised as follows:

executive Share Option Scheme options(i)
Sharesave Scheme options(ii)
All employee awards(iii)
Management LTIP awards(iv)
LTIP awards(v)
Management Co-Investment LTIP awards(vi)
Co-Investment LTIP awards(vii)

2011
Number of
ordinary
shares

2010
Number of
ordinary
shares
5,583,424 13,803,846
6,175,446
6,554,165
1,168,200
1,383,400
22,326,138 13,447,526
8,610,930 5,869,560
599,181
1,268,260
728,736
1,286,906
46,798,023 42,007,695

(i) executive Share option Scheme options
All executive Share Option Scheme options outstanding at 30 June 
2011 and 30 June 2010 have vested. No options have been granted 
under the scheme since 2004.

Grants under the executive Share Option Scheme were made on 
an annual basis to selected employees, with the exercise price of 
options being equal to the Company’s share price on the date of 
grant. For those options with performance conditions, growth in 
ePS had to exceed growth in the Retail Prices Index plus 3% per 
annum in order for awards to vest. Options vested on an accelerated 
basis over a period of up to four years from the date of grant. The 
contractual life of all executive Share Option Scheme options is ten 
years.

(ii) Sharesave Scheme options
All Sharesave Scheme options outstanding at 30 June 2011 and 
30 June 2010 have no performance criteria attached, other than 
the requirement that the employee remains in employment with 
the Group. Options granted under the Sharesave Scheme must be 
exercised within six months of the relevant award vesting date.

The Sharesave Scheme is open to all employees. Options are 
normally exercisable after either three or five years from the date of 
grant. The price at which options are offered is not less than 80% of 
the middle-market price on the dealing day immediately preceding 
the date of invitation. It is the policy of the Group to make an 
invitation to employees to participate in the scheme following the 
announcement of the end of year results.

(iii) All employee awards (20 year Award plan)
The All employee awards outstanding at 30 June 2011 and 30 June 
2010 have no performance criteria attached, other than the 
requirement that the employee remains in employment with 
the Group. Awards granted under the All employee award will be 
exercised upon the award vesting date.

The Company granted the All employee award to all permanent 
employees on 5 February 2009. Awards under the scheme are 
granted in the form of a nil-priced option, and are satisfied using 
market-purchased shares.

(iv) management ltIp awards
All Management LTIP awards outstanding at 30 June 2011 and 
30 June 2010 vest only if performance conditions are met. Awards 
granted under the Management LTIP must be exercised within five 
years of the relevant award vesting date.

The Company grants awards to selected employees under the 
Management LTIP. Awards under this scheme mirror the LTIP, with 
the same performance conditions. Awards exercised under the 
Management LTIP can only be satisfied by the issue of market-
purchased shares.

(v) ltIp awards
All LTIP awards outstanding at 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2010 vest 
only if performance conditions are met. Awards granted under 
the LTIP must be exercised within five years of the relevant award 
vesting date.

The Company operates the LTIP for executive Directors and Senior 
executives. Awards under the scheme are granted in the form of a 
nil-priced option, and are satisfied using market-purchased shares. 
The awards vest in full or in part dependent on the satisfaction 
of specified performance targets. For awards made in 2008 and 
2009 (i.e. awards which will vest in 2011), 30% of the award vests 
dependent on TSR performance over a three year performance 
period, relative to the constituents of the FTSe 100 at the time of 
grant, and the remaining 70% vests dependent on performance 
against operational targets. The TSR performance targets are not 
applicable to awards made since July 2010.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
96

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

(vi) management Co-Investment ltIp awards
All Management Co-Investment LTIP awards outstanding at 
30 June 2011 and 30 June 2010 vest only if performance conditions 
are met. Awards granted under the Management Co-Investment 
LTIP must be exercised within five years of the relevant award 
vesting date.

The Company grants awards to selected employees under the 
Management Co-Investment LTIP. Awards under this scheme 
mirror the Co-Investment LTIP, with the same performance 
conditions.

(vii) Co-Investment ltIp awards
All Co-Investment LTIP awards outstanding at 30 June 2011 and 
30 June 2010 vest only if performance conditions are met. Awards 
granted under the Co-Investment LTIP must be exercised within 
five years of the relevant award vesting date.

The Company operates the Co-Investment LTIP award for 
executive Directors and Senior executives. employees who 
participate in the plan are granted a conditional award of shares 
based on the amount they have invested in the Group. The 
investment will be matched up to a maximum of 1.5 shares for 
every share invested, subject to a three-year ePS performance 
condition.

For the purposes of the disclosure below, the Sharesave Scheme 
options and All employee awards (“Sharesave Schemes”) and 
the Management LTIP, LTIP, Management Co-Investment LTIP and 
Co-Investment LTIP awards (“Senior Management Schemes”) have 
been aggregated.

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AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
97

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

26. Share capital continued
The movement in share awards outstanding is summarised in the following table:

executive Scheme

Sharesave Schemes

Senior management 
Schemes

Outstanding at 1 July 2009
Granted during the year
exercised during the year
Forfeited during the year
expired during the year
Outstanding at 30 June 2010
Granted during the year
exercised during the year
Forfeited during the year
expired during the year
outstanding at 30 june 2011

Weighted
average
exercise
 price
£
7.11
–
5.22
7.23
6.49
7.44
–

Number
8,110,432
2,206,411
(1,307,893)
(1,109,810)
(340,294)
7,558,846
2,257,055
6.39 (1,094,690)
(910,357)
7.35
(88,489)
9.95
7,722,365
6.65

Number
17,945,045
–
(2,067,227)
(702,487)
(1,371,485)
13,803,846
–
(4,287,534)
(383,704)
(3,549,184)
5,583,424

Weighted
average
exercise 
price
£

Number
3.40 28,570,198
4.33
9,143,651
3.97 (12,449,270)
(4,619,576)
3.80
–
4.71
3.46 20,645,003
14,317,471
5.65
(315,398)
4.40
4.11
(814,229)
(340,613)
4.35
3.88 33,492,234

Weighted
average
exercise 
price
£

–

Number
0.00 54,625,675
0.00 11,350,062
0.00 (15,824,390)
0.00 (6,431,873)
(1,711,779)
0.00 42,007,695
0.00 16,574,526
0.00 (5,697,622)
0.00 (2,108,290)
0.00 (3,978,286)
0.00 46,798,023

total

Weighted
average
exercise 
price
£
2.84
0.84
1.00
1.47
6.13
3.07
0.77
5.65
3.12
8.98
1.43

The weighted average market price of the Group’s shares at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was £7.85 
(2010: £5.50). For those exercised under the executive Scheme it was £7.99 (2010: £6.27), for those exercised under the Sharesave Schemes 
it was £7.54 (2010: £5.53), and for those exercised under the Senior Management Schemes it was £7.08 (2010: £5.37).
The middle-market closing price of the Company’s shares at 1 July 2011 was £8.49 (25 June 2010: £7.01).

The following table summarises information about share awards outstanding at 30 June 2011:

Range of exercise prices
£0.00 – £1.00
£3.00 – £4.00
£4.00 – £5.00
£5.00 – £6.00
£6.00 – £7.00
£7.00 – £8.00

executive Scheme
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual 
life 
Years
–
–
–
2.5
2.1
0.3
1.5

Number
–
–
–
1,802,435
1,537,964
2,243,025
5,583,424

Sharesave Schemes
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual 
life 
Years

Senior management 
Schemes
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
 life 
Years

Number
1,168,200
2,348,795
1,926,019
2,279,351
–
–
7,722,365

Number
0.6 33,492,234
–
1.5
–
2.4
–
3.8
–
–
–
–
2.3 33,492,234

Number
1.9 34,660,434
2,348,795
1,926,019
4,081,786
1,537,964
2,243,025
1.9 46,798,023

–
–
–
–
–

total
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
 life 
Years
1.9
1.5
2.4
3.2
2.1
0.3
2.0

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The following table summarises information about share awards outstanding at 30 June 2010:

Range of exercise prices
£0.00 – £1.00
£3.00 – £4.00
£4.00 – £5.00
£5.00 – £6.00
£6.00 – £7.00
£7.00 – £8.00
£9.00 – £10.00
£12.00 – £13.00

executive Scheme
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual 
life 
Years
–
–
–
3.5
3.2
1.3
0.4
–
2.1

Number
–
–
–
3,383,932
3,296,301
3,574,429
3,448,253
100,931
13,803,846

Number
1,383,400
2,720,290
2,579,561
875,595
–
–
–
–
7,558,846

Sharesave Schemes
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual 
life 
Years

Senior management 
Schemes
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
 life 
Years

Number
1.6 20,645,003
–
2.5
–
3.1
–
1.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2.4 20,645,003

Number
2.1 22,028,403
2,720,290
2,579,561
4,259,527
3,296,301
3,574,429
3,448,253
100,931
2.1 42,007,695

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

total
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
 life 
Years
2.1
2.5
3.1
3.1
3.2
1.3
0.4
–
2.1

The range of exercise prices of the awards outstanding at 30 June 2011 was between nil and £7.94 (2010: nil and £12.88). For those 
awards outstanding under the executive Scheme it was between £5.03 and £7.94 (2010: £5.03 and £12.88); for those outstanding 
under the Sharesave Schemes it was between nil and £5.65 (2010: nil and £5.38) and for all awards outstanding under the Senior 
Management Schemes the exercise price was nil (2010: nil).

The following table summarises additional information about the awards exercisable at 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2010:

executive Scheme
Sharesave Schemes
Senior Management Schemes

2011
Average
 remaining
contractual 
life of 
exercisable
options
1.5
0.1
–
1.5

Options
exercisable
at 30 June
5,583,424
72,812
–
5,656,236

Weighted
average
exercise 
price
6.65
5.24
–
6.64

Options
exercisable
at 30 June
13,803,846
204,427
656,011
14,664,284

2010
Average
 remaining
contractual 
life of 
exercisable
options
2.1
0.1
0.1
2.0

Weighted
average
exercise
 price
7.44
4.35
–
7.06

Information for awards granted during the year

The weighted average fair value of equity-settled share options granted during the year, as estimated at the date of grant, was £5.95 
(2010: £4.19). This was calculated using the Black-Scholes share option pricing model except for grants of nil-priced options, which were 
treated as the award of a free share. The fair value of nil-priced options granted during the year was measured on the basis of the 
market-price of the Company’s shares on the date of grant, discounted for expected dividends which would not be received over the 
vesting period of the options.

expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price, over a period equal to the 
expected life of the options. expected life was based on the contractual life of the awards and adjusted, based on management’s best 
estimate, for the effects of exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

(i) Sharesave Schemes 
The weighted average fair value of equity-settled share awards granted during the year under the Sharesave Schemes, as estimated at 
the date of grant, was £1.91 (2010: £1.65). This was calculated using the Black-Scholes share option pricing model.

AnnuAl report 2011   
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

26. Share capital continued
The following weighted average assumptions were used in calculating these fair values:

Share price
exercise price
expected volatility
expected life
expected dividends
Risk-free interest rate

2011
£7.09
£5.65
28.1%
4.6 years
2.7%
1.5%

2010
£5.73
£4.33
28.3%
4.1 years
3.1%
2.3%

(ii) Senior Management Schemes
The weighted average fair value of equity-settled share awards granted during the year under the Senior Management Schemes, as 
estimated at the date of grant, was £6.59 (2010: £4.80). The fair value of awards granted as nil-priced options were treated as the award 
of a free share. For all other awards, fair value was calculated using the Black-Scholes share option pricing model. In the prior year, awards 
with market-based performance conditions were granted and the fair value of these awards was calculated using a Monte-Carlo simulation 
model.

The following weighted average assumptions were used in calculating these fair values:

Share price
exercise price
expected volatility
expected life
expected dividends
Risk-free interest rate

27. Shareholders’ equity

Share capital
Share premium
eSOP reserve
Hedging reserve
Available-for-sale reserve
Other reserves
Retained earnings

2011
£7.11
£0.00
–
3.0 years
2.5%
–

2010
£5.47
£0.00
34.8%
2.1 years
3.2%
2.1%

2011
£m
876
1,437
(107)
14
157
358
(1,700)
1,035

2010
£m
876
1,437
(47)
77
98
362
(2,243)
560

Share premium and special reserve

On 10 December 2003, the High Court approved a reduction in the Company’s share premium account of £1,120 million, as approved by 
the Company’s shareholders at the AGM held on 14 November 2003. This amount was equal to the Company-only profit and loss account 
reserve deficit at 30 June 2003. As part of the application, the Company’s balance sheet at 30 September 2003 was required to be 
presented. At that date, the deficit on the Company-only profit and loss account reserve had reduced by £14 million since 30 June 2003, 
to £1,106 million. As a condition of the reduction, the reduction in the share premium account of £1,120 million was permitted to be offset 
against the profit and loss account reserve by the amount of the deficit at 30 September 2003. The excess of £14 million was credited to a 
special reserve, which is included in other reserves, and, under the terms of the reduction, will remain undistributable until all the creditors 
of the Company and its guarantors (as at 10 December 2003) are paid.

merger reserve

The merger reserve, which is included in other reserves, represents amounts deducted from equity of £222 million (2010: £222 million). The 
merger reserve was created as a result of the purchase by the Group of interests in two entities. SIG was purchased on 12 July 2000, where 
consideration was paid by the issue of equity shares in the Group. BiB was purchased between 28 June 2001 and 11 November 2002, where 
consideration was paid by the issue of equity shares in the Group.

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

The merger reserve was created in accordance with the merger relief provisions under section 131 of the Companies Act 1985 (as 
amended) and section 612 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the accounting for business combinations involving the issue of 
shares at a premium. Merger relief provided relief from the requirement to create a share premium account in a parent company’s 
balance sheet. In preparing consolidated financial statements, the amount by which the fair value of the shares issued exceeded their 
nominal value was recorded within a merger reserve on consolidation, rather than in a share premium account. This merger reserve was 
retained upon transition to IFRS, as allowed under UK law.

purchase of own equity shares for cancellation and capital redemption reserve

On 4 November 2005, the Company’s shareholders approved a resolution at the AGM for the Company to purchase up to 92 million 
ordinary shares. This authority to buy-back shares expired on 3 November 2006. During the year ended 30 June 2007, the Company 
purchased, and subsequently cancelled, 38 million ordinary shares at an average price of £5.55, with a nominal value of £20 million, for 
a consideration of £214 million including stamp duty and commission of £2 million. The nominal value of the shares cancelled has been 
credited to other reserves.

The following table provides information about purchases of equity shares by the company, including purchases by the Group’s eSOP, 
during the fiscal year.

Period
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
total for the year ended 30 june 2011

Total number
of shares
purchased(i)

–
–
2,250,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
7,764,887
1,000,000
11,014,887

Average
price paid
per share
–
–
£7.18
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
£8.48
£8.46
£8.21

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(i) 

All share purchases were open market transactions and are included in the month of settlement.

eSop reserve

The cost of the Company’s ordinary shares held by the Group’s eSOP is treated as a deduction in arriving at total shareholders’ equity. 
The movement in the eSOP reserve was as follows:

At 1 July 2009
Share options exercised during the year
Shares purchased by the eSOP during the year
At 30 june 2010
Share options exercised during the year
Shares purchased by the eSOP during the year
At 30 june 2011

Hedging reserve

Number of
ordinary 
shares
14,129,651
(15,824,390)
10,210,083
8,515,344
(5,697,622)
11,014,887
13,832,609

Average
price paid
per share
£5.15
£5.17
£5.53
£5.56
£5.37
£8.21
£7.75

£m
73
(82)
56
47
(30)
90
107

Changes in the fair values of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are initially recognised in the hedging reserve, and 
subsequently recognised in the income statement when the related hedged items are recognised in the income statement. In addition, 
deferred taxation relating to these derivatives is also initially recognised in the hedging reserve prior to transfer to the income 
statement.

Available-for-sale reserve

Available-for-sale investments are carried at fair value where this can be reliably measured, with movements in the fair value recognised 
directly in the available-for-sale reserve. At 30 June 2011, the Group’s available-for-sale reserve was £157 million (2010: £98 million).

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

27. Shareholders’ equity continued
other reserves

The Group’s other reserves include a capital redemption reserve, a merger reserve, a foreign currency translation reserve, and a special 
reserve. The capital redemption reserve was £95 million as at 30 June 2011 (2010: £95 million). The merger reserve was £222 million as at 
30 June 2011 (2010: £222 million). The special reserve was £14 million as at 30 June 2011 (2010: £14 million). The foreign currency translation 
reserve was £27 million as at 30 June 2011 (2010: £31 million).

28. notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
reconciliation of profit before taxation from continuing operations to cash generated from continuing operations

profit before taxation
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
Profit on disposal of available-for-sale investment
Share-based payment expense
Net finance costs
Share of results of joint ventures and associates

(Increase) decrease in trade and other receivables
Decrease in inventories
Increase in trade and other payables
(Decrease) increase in provisions
Decrease in derivative financial instruments
Cash generated from continuing operations

2011
£m
1,014
173
159
(9)
69
102
(34)
1,474
(59)
6
158
(8)
(2)
1,569

2010
£m
1,190
154
184
(115)
35
70
(32)
1,486
62
43
31
7
(3)
1,626

29. Contracted commitments, contingencies and guarantees
a) Future minimum expenditure contracted for but not recognised in the financial statements

Television programme rights(i)
Set-top boxes and related equipment
Third party payments(ii)
Transponder capacity(iii)
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Smartcards(iv)
Other

Year ending
30 June 2012
£m
1,102
282
37
92
47
27
49
128
1,764

Year ending
30 June 2013
£m
1,003
–
34
92
–
20
49
47
1,245

Year ending
30 June 2014
£m
370
–
2
81
–
18
50
20
541

Year ending
30 June 2015
£m
269
–
–
84
–
18
50
14
435

Year ending
30 June 2016
£m
83
–
–
81
–
18
50
9
241

After
5 years
£m
95
–
–
408
–
41
112
9
665

Total at
30 June 2011
£m
2,922
282
73
838
47
142
360
227
4,891

Total at
30 June 2010
£m
3,259
266
134
751
41
142
408
197
5,198

Foreign currency commitments are translated to pounds sterling at the rate prevailing on the balance sheet date.
(i) 

At 30 June 2011, the Group had minimum television programming rights commitments of £2,922 million (2010: £3,259 million), of which £344 million (2010: £412 million) 
related to commitments payable in US dollars for periods of up to seven years (2010: eight years).

Assuming that movie subscriber numbers remain unchanged from current levels, an additional £455 million (US$735 million) of commitments (2010: £545 million (US$886 
million)) would also be payable in US dollars, relating to price escalator clauses. The pound sterling television programme rights commitments include similar price escalation 
clauses that would result in additional commitments of £18 million (2010: £24 million) if subscriber numbers were to remain at current levels.

(ii) 

The third party payment commitments are in respect of distribution agreements for the television channels owned and broadcast by third parties, retailed by the Group to 
retail and commercial subscribers (“Sky Distributed Channels”) and are for periods of up to five years (2010: four years). The extent of the commitment is largely dependent 
upon the number of retail subscribers to the relevant Sky Distributed Channels, and in certain cases, upon inflationary increases. If both the retail subscriber levels to these 
channels and the rate payable for each Sky Distributed Channel were to remain at current levels subject to inflationary increases, the additional commitment would be 
£525 million (2010: £521 million).

(iii) 

Transponder capacity commitments are in respect of the Astra and Eurobird satellites that the Group uses for digital transmissions to both retail subscribers and cable 
operators. The commitments are for periods of up to fourteen years (2010: fifteen years).

(iv) 

In December 2008, the Group entered into a new contractual agreement with NDS, a related party, for the provision of smartcards.

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

b) Contingencies and guarantees

Certain subsidiaries of the Company have agreed to provide additional funding to several of their investments in limited and unlimited 
companies and partnerships, in accordance with funding agreements. Payment of this additional funding would be required if 
requested by the investees in accordance with the funding agreements. The maximum potential amount of future payments which 
may be required to be made by the subsidiaries of the Company to their investments, in both limited and unlimited companies and 
partnerships under the undertakings and additional funding agreements, is £38 million (2010: £8 million).

The Group has guarantees in place relating to the Group’s borrowings, see note 23.

30. operating lease commitments
The minimum lease rentals to be paid under non-cancellable operating leases at 30 June are as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years

2011
£m
45
33
24
17
14
54
187

2010
£m
51
38
29
21
16
61
216

The majority of operating leases relate to property. The rents payable under these leases are subject to renegotiation at the various 
intervals specified in the leases.

The minimum sub-lease rentals to be received under non-cancellable operating sub-leases at 30 June are as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years

Sub-lease rentals primarily relate to property leases.

2011
£m
5
5
3
2
2
8
25

2010
£m
3
3
2
1
–
–
9

AnnuAl report 2011   
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS
continued

31. Acquisition of subsidiaries
living tV Group

On 12 July 2010, the Group completed the purchase of 100% of the share capital of virgin Media Television Limited, virgin Media Television 
Rights Limited, and the assets and liabilities of the virgin Media television channels, subsequently renamed the Living Tv Group (“Living 
Tv”). Living Tv operates a portfolio of television channels including Living (renamed Sky Living) and Challenge which are distributed 
over various television platforms and generate revenue principally from the sale of advertising airtime and carriage fees paid by Pay-
Tv operators such as virgin Media and Sky. Living Tv was acquired to complement the Group’s existing content business and to deliver 
strategic and financial benefits.

Total consideration comprised £160 million cash after adjustments which included a working capital adjustment.

Recognised amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Trade and other receivables
Inventory
Deferred tax asset
Trade and other payables

Goodwill
total consideration

Satisfied by:
Cash

Net book
 value
£m

Fair value 
adjustments 
£m

Recognised 
values
£m

–
1
36
88
–
(93)
32

80
–
–
(48)
24
(7)
49

80
1
36
40
24
(100)
81
79
160

160

The fair value of the financial assets includes trade receivables with a fair value of £10 million and a gross contractual value of £11 million. 
The best estimate at the acquisition date of the contractual cash flows not likely to be collected was £1 million.

Goodwill of £79 million arising from the acquisition is attributable to the anticipated profitability arising from the Group’s access to additional 
viewer demographics, breadth of content and channel slots and the anticipated future operating synergies from the combination. All of the 
goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Acquisition-related costs included in administration costs in the Group’s consolidated income statement, for the year ended 30 June 2011, 
amounted to £26 million (2010: nil) and comprise principally redundancy payments and the early termination of a pre-acquisition contract.

For the period between the date of purchase and 30 June 2011, Living Tv contributed £107 million to the Group’s revenue, and £25 million to 
the Group’s profit before tax. Had the Group completed the purchase of Living Tv on the first day of the financial year, Group revenue and 
Group profit for the year would not have been materially different from the reported results.

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

the Cloud

On 23 February 2011, the Group completed the purchase of 100% of the share capital of The Cloud Networks Limited (“The Cloud”), a 
public Wi-Fi network operator. The acquisition is intended to support the Group’s mobile content activities and complement its existing 
broadband services.

Total consideration of £48 million comprised £43 million of cash and a contingent consideration arrangement of £5 million. 

Recognised amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other payables
Deferred tax liability

Goodwill
total consideration

Satisfied by:
Cash 
Contingent consideration arrangement 

Net cash outflow arising on the purchase of The Cloud
Cash paid
Cash and cash equivalents acquired

All amounts in the above table are provisional.

Net book
 value
£m

Fair value 
adjustments 
£m

Recognised 
values
£m

–
3
5
2
(7)
–
3

9
–
–
–
–
(2)
7

9
3
5
2
(7)
(2)
10
38
48

43
5

43
(2)
41

The fair value of the financial assets includes trade receivables with a fair value and gross contractual value of £5 million. The best 
estimate at the acquisition date of the contractual cash flows not likely to be collected was less than £1 million. 

Goodwill of £38 million arising from the acquisition is attributable to future operating synergies from integrating the services within the 
Group’s broadband business. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. 

The contingent consideration arrangement requires The Cloud to achieve certain financial targets within a prescribed timeframe during 
the next financial year. The final amount of consideration paid will be dependent on the extent to which The Cloud achieves these 
targets. The potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that the Group could be required to make under the contingent 
consideration arrangement is between nil and £5 million. £5 million has been recognised as the fair value of this arrangement at the 
acquisition date. 

Acquisition-related costs included in administration costs in the Group’s consolidated income statement, for the year ended 30 June 
2011, amounted to £3 million and comprise principally legal and banking fees. 

For the period between the date of purchase and 30 June 2011, The Cloud contributed £7 million to the Group’s revenue, and a loss of 
£1 million to the Group’s profit before tax. Had the Group completed the purchase of The Cloud on the first day of the financial year, it is 
estimated that The Cloud would have contributed £18 million to Group revenue and a loss of £2 million to the Group’s profit for the year. 

other acquisitions

During the year, the Group also purchased the trade and assets of a marketing database services business belonging to experian plc 
which resulted in additional goodwill of £5 million.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
105

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS 
continued

b) joint ventures and associates

Transactions between the Group and its subsidiaries, which are 
related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not 
disclosed in this note. Transactions between the Group and its joint 
ventures and associates are disclosed below.

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, joint 
ventures and associates are disclosed in the Company’s separate 
financial statements.

Supply of services by the Group
Purchases of goods or services by the Group
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates 
to the Group
Amounts owed to joint ventures and associates 
by the Group

2011
£m
23
(57)

26

(5)

2010
£m
13
(55)

26

(4)

Services supplied are primarily the provision of transponder 
capacity, marketing, airtime sales and support services. Purchases 
represent fees payable for channel carriage. Amounts owed by 
joint ventures and associates include £19 million (2010: £20 million) 
relating to loan funding. These loans bear interest at rates of three 
month LIBOR plus 0.45%, six month LIBOR plus 1.5% and one month 
and six month LIBOR plus 1%. The maximum amount of loan funding 
outstanding in total from joint ventures and associates during the 
year was £20 million (2010: £20 million).

The Group took out a number of forward exchange contracts with 
counterparty banks during the year on behalf of the joint venture 
AeTN UK. On the same dates as these forward contracts were 
entered into, the Group entered into equal and opposite contracts 
with AeTN UK in respect of these forward contracts.

Consequently, the Group was not exposed to any of the net gains 
or losses on these forward contracts. The face value of forward 
exchange contracts that had not matured as at 30 June 2011 was 
£2 million (2010: £1 million).

During the year, US$4 million (2010: US$3 million) was paid to the 
joint ventures upon maturity of forward exchange contracts and 
less than US$1 million (2010: US$2 million) was received from joint 
ventures upon maturity of forward exchange contracts.

During the year, £3 million (2010: £2 million) was received from the 
joint ventures upon maturity of forward exchange contracts, and 
less than £1 million (2010: £2 million) was paid to the joint ventures 
upon maturity of forward exchange contracts.

During the year, €1 million (2010: nil) was received from joint ventures 
upon maturity of forward exchange contracts.

32. transactions with related parties and major 
shareholders
a) entities with joint control or significant influence

The Group conducts business transactions with companies that are 
part of the News Corporation group (“News Corporation”), a major 
shareholder:

Supply of services by the Group
Purchases of goods or services by the Group
Amounts owed by News Corporation to the Group
Amounts owed to News Corporation by the Group

2011
£m
49
(216)
10
(69)

2010
£m
32
(197)
3
(70)

Services supplied to news Corporation
During the year, the Group supplied programming, telephony, airtime, 
transmission, marketing, consultancy services and set-top boxes to 
News Corporation.

purchases of goods and services and certain other relationships 
with news Corporation
During the year, the Group purchased programming, digital 
equipment, smartcards and encryption services, set-top box 
technologies, advertising, IT services and rental premises from News 
Corporation companies.

News Corporation has entered into an agreement with the Group 
pursuant to which it has been agreed that, for so long as News 
Corporation directly or indirectly holds an interest of 30% or more 
in the Group, News Corporation will not engage in the business of 
satellite broadcasting in the UK or Ireland.

On 5 April 2011, the Group sold its investment in Shine to News 
Corporation for a maximum consideration of £36 million, of which 
£31 million has been received to date (see note 6).

On 15 June 2010, News Corporation announced a proposal relating 
to a possible offer for the entire issued share capital of the 
Company not already owned by News Corporation (“the Proposal”).

News Corporation confirmed that the Proposal did not amount to a 
firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.5 of the Takeover Code 
and there was no obligation on News Corporation to make such an 
offer and therefore that it could withdraw the Proposal at its sole 
discretion at any time. At the time of the Proposal the Company 
and News Corporation entered into an agreement which provided, 
amongst other matters, that if News Corporation announced prior 
to obtaining merger clearance that it did not intend to make a 
firm offer, then News Corporation would pay the Company a fee of 
£38.5 million, representing 0.5% of the value of the Proposal (the 
“Break Fee”).

On 13 July 2011, prior to obtaining merger clearance, News 
Corporation announced that it no longer intended to make an offer 
for the entire issued share capital of the Company that it did not 
already own (the “Proposal Withdrawal”). The Break Fee has now 
been paid. Costs of £15 million were incurred during the year in 
relation to the Proposal.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
106

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

c) other transactions with related parties

A close family member of one Director of the Company who served 
during the year had a controlling interest in Shine in which the 
Group also had an equity shareholding, until Shine was acquired 
by News Corporation on 5 April 2011 (see note 6). Shine continues 
to be a related party of the Group and transactions with Shine are 
included within the balances disclosed in note 32a.

A close family member of one Director of the Company runs Freud 
entertainment Limited (“Freud”), which has provided external 
support to the press and publicity activities of the Group. During 
the year the Group incurred expenditure amounting to £2 million 
(2010: £1 million) with Freud. At 30 June 2011 there was £1 million 
(2010: nil) due to Freud.

In addition to the foregoing, the Group has engaged in a number 
of transactions with companies of which some of the Company’s 
Directors are also directors. These do not meet the definition of 
Related Party Transactions.

d) key management

The Group has a related party relationship with the Directors of 
the Group. At 30 June 2011, there were 14 (2010: 14) members of 
key management all of whom were Directors of the Company. Key 
management compensation is disclosed in note 8b.

33. events after the reporting period
On 13 July 2011, News Corporation announced that it no longer 
intended to make an offer for the entire issued and to be issued 
share capital of the Company not already owned by News 
Corporation. A break fee of £38.5 million has now been received 
and will exceed all of the Group’s direct costs associated with the 
Proposal. For further details see note 32.

On 28 July 2011, the Board agreed to seek the necessary approvals 
to return £750 million of capital to shareholders via a share 
buy-back programme. Shareholder approvals will be sought at 
the Company’s AGM on 29 November 2011. The Company has 
entered into an agreement with News Corporation under which, 
following any market purchases of shares by the Company, News 
Corporation will sell to the Company sufficient shares to maintain 
its percentage shareholding at the same level as applied prior to 
those market purchases. The price payable to News Corporation 
will be the price payable by the Company in respect of the 
relevant market purchases. The agreement is conditional on the 
appropriate shareholder approvals being granted. The effect of 
the agreement is to provide that there will be no change in News 
Corporation’s economic or voting interests in the Company as a 
result of the share buy-back programme. 

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AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
107

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS 
continued
34. Group investments
The significant investments of the Company which principally affect the consolidated results and total assets of the Group are as follows:

Name

Country of  
incorporation

Description and proportion  
of shares held (%)

Principal activity

england and Wales

10,002,002 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%)

england and Wales

651,960 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%)

england and Wales

50,000 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%)

Operation of pay television broadcasting and 
home communications services in the UK and 
Ireland
Parent of a company providing the transmission of 
interactive services
Finance company

Subsidiaries:
Direct holdings of the Company
British Sky Broadcasting Limited

British Interactive Broadcasting 
Holdings Limited
BSkyB Finance UK plc
Subsidiaries:
Indirect holdings of the Company
Sky Subscribers Services Limited

BSkyB Publications Limited
Sky Interactive Limited
BSkyB LLU Assets Limited

Sky ventures Limited
365 Media Group Limited

england and Wales
england and Wales
england and Wales

england and Wales
england and Wales

Living Tv Group Holdings Limited

england and Wales

Sky IQ Limited
The Cloud Networks Limited
Joint ventures and associates:
Nickelodeon UK Limited(i)
AeTN UK

england and Wales
england and Wales

england and Wales

3 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%)

Sky Holdings Limited
Sky In-Home Service Limited

england and Wales
england and Wales

600 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%)
1,576,000 ordinary shares of £1 each(100%)

The provision of ancillary functions supporting the 
pay television broadcasting, residential broadband 
and telephone operations of the Group
Holding company
The supply, installation and maintenance of 
satellite television receiving equipment
The supply of magazines

2 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%)
659,000,003 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%) The provision of interactive television services
121,309,090 ordinary shares of £0.04 each (100%) Parent of companies managing the network 

912 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%)
172 ordinary shares of £0.01 each (100%)

assets in the UK
Holding company
Production and sale of sports content for internet, 
text, radio and mobile
The transmission of general entertainment 
programming
Provision of data base activities
100 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%)
30,583,988 shares of £0.00025 per share (100%) Provision of telecommunications

2 ordinary shares of £1 each (100%)

england and Wales
england and Wales

104 B Shares of £0.01 each (40%)
50,000 A Shares of £1 each (50%)

Paramount UK Partnership(i)(ii)

england and Wales

Partnership interest (25%)

Australian News Channel Pty Limited Australia
NGC Network International LLC

United States of America

1 ordinary share of AUD$1 (33.33%)
Partnership interest (21%)

NGC Network Latin America LLC

United States of America

Partnership interest (21%)

MUTv Limited

england and Wales

800 B Shares of £1 each (33.33%)

Attheraces Holdings Limited(i)

england and Wales

Chelsea Digital Media Limited

england and Wales

1,500 ordinary shares of £1 each (45.85%),  
20 Recoupment Shares of £0.01 each
42,648 B Shares of £0.01 each (35%) and 7 million 
redeemable preference shares of £1 each

MGM Channel (UK) Limited
Sky News Arabia

england and Wales
United Arab emirates

50 ordinary shares of £1 each (50%)
6,666,666 shares of US$1 each (50%)

The transmission of children’s television channels
The transmission of history, biography, crime and 
investigation television programming
The transmission of general entertainment 
comedy channels
The transmission of news and business channels
The transmission of natural history and adventure 
channels
The transmission of natural history and adventure 
channels
The transmission, production and marketing of the 
Manchester United football channel
The transmission of a horse racing channel and 
related online activities
The transmission, production and marketing of the 
Chelsea Football Club football channel and 
website
The transmission of classic movies in HD
The transmission of Arabic News in the MeNA 
region (Middle east and North Africa)

Investments:
ITv(i)

england and Wales

291,684,730 ordinary shares of £0.10 each 
(7.499999965%)

The transmission of free-to-air channels

notes:
(i) 
(ii) 

(iii) 

These entities have an accounting reference date of 31 December.
The registered address of Paramount UK Partnership is 180 Oxford Street, London, W1D 1DS. The Paramount UK Partnership is a joint venture of the Group and is included 
within the consolidated accounts in accordance with Note 1(c)(ii). Consequently, the Paramount UK Partnership has taken advantage of the exemption within the Partnerships 
(Accounts) Regulations 2008 (regulation 7) from filing annual financial statements.
This note sets out an abbreviated list of the subsidiaries of the Company. A full list had been filed with Companies House in accordance with section 410 of the Companies Act 
2006.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
108

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

35. British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Company only financial statements

Company Income Statement for the year ended 30 June 2011

revenue
Operating expense
operating profit
Dividend income from subsidiaries
Investment income
Finance costs
Impairment of investment
profit before tax
Taxation
profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this income statement.

Company Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2011

profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders
Other comprehensive income
Amounts recognised directly in equity
(Loss) gain on cash flow hedges
Tax on cash flow hedges

Amounts reclassified and reported in the income statement
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
Tax on cash flow hedges

other comprehensive income for the year (net of tax)
total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement of comprehensive income.
All results relate to continuing operations.

Notes

O
B
B
e
C
D

2011
£m
192
(28)
164
3,445
63
(65)
(1,829)
1,778
(38)
1,740

2011
£m
1,740

(23)
6
(17)

27
(7)
20
3
1,743

2010 
£m
170
(16)
154
–
76
(71)
(56)
103
(44)
59

2010
£m
59

38
(11)
27

(35)
10
(25)
2
61

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
109

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS 
continued

35. British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Company only financial statements continued

Company Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2011

Non-current assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Other receivables
Derivative financial assets

Current assets
Other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

total assets
Current liabilities
Other payables
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

total liabilities
Share capital
Share premium
Reserves
total equity attributable to equity shareholders
total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

Notes

e
G
J

G

I

H
J
F

2011
£m

8,056
6
272
8,334

1,406
4
1,410
9,744

2010
£m

4,722
8
349
5,079

3,432
–
3,432
8,511

2,256

2,340

1,154
181
3
1,338
3,594
876
1,437
3,837
6,150
9,744

1,219
203
–
1,422
3,762
876
1,437
2,436
4,749
8,511

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this balance sheet.

These financial statements of British Sky Broadcasting Group plc, registered number 2247735, have been approved by the Board of 
Directors on 28 July 2011 and were signed on its behalf by:

Jeremy Darroch 
Chief executive Officer 

Andrew Griffith
Chief Financial Officer

Company Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 30 June 2011

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
net cash from operating activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from the exercise of share options
Loan to subsidiaries
net cash used in financing activities
net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this cash flow statement.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
110

Notes

M

2011
£m

–
–

32
(28)
4
4
–
4

2010
£m

–
–

47
(47)
–
–
–
–

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Company Statement of Changes in equity for the year ended 30 June 2011

At 1 july 2009
Profit for the year
Recognition and transfer of cash flow hedges
Tax on items taken directly to equity
total comprehensive income for the year
Share-based payment
Dividends
At 30 june 2010
Profit for the year
Recognition and transfer of cash flow hedges
Tax on items taken directly to equity
total comprehensive income for the year
Share-based payment
Dividends
At 30 june 2011

Share
capital
£m
876
–
–
–
–
–
–
876
–
–
–
–
–
–
876

Share
premium
£m
1,437
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,437
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,437

Special
reserve
£m
14
–
–
–
–
–
–
14
–
–
–
–
–
–
14

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m
95
–
–
–
–
–
–
95
–
–
–
–
–
–
95

Capital
reserve
£m
844
–
–
–
–
–
–
844
–
–
–
–
–
–
844

eSOP
reserve
£m
(73)
–
–
–
–
26
–
(47)
–
–
–
–
(60)
–
(107)

Hedging
reserve
£m
(2)
–
3
(1)
2
–
–
–
–
4
(1)
3
–
–
3

Retained
earnings
£m
1,821
59
–
–
59
(36)
(314)
1,530
1,740
–
–
1,740
71
(353)
2,988

Total
Shareholders’
equity
£m
5,012
59
3
(1)
61
(10)
(314)
4,749
1,740
4
(1)
1,743
11
(353)
6,150

For a description of the nature and purpose of each equity reserve, see note L.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement of changes in equity.

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AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
111

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

35. British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Company only financial statements continued
A. Accounting policies

C. profit before taxation

employee benefits

The Company had no employees (2010: nil) during the year.

key management compensation
Amounts paid to the Directors of the Company are disclosed in the 
Report on Directors’ remuneration on pages 49-58.

D. taxation

i) taxation recognised in the income statement

Current tax expense
Current year
Adjustment in respect of prior years
total current tax charge
Deferred tax expense
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
total deferred tax charge
taxation

ii) Deferred tax recognised directly in equity

Deferred tax charge on hedging activities

2011
£m

2010
£m

43
(7)
36

2
2
38

44
–
44

–
–
44

2011
£m
1

2010
£m
1

iii) reconciliation of effective tax rate
The tax expense for the year is lower (2010: higher) than the 
expense that would have been charged using the standard rate of 
corporation tax in the UK (27.5%) applied to profit before tax. The 
applicable enacted or substantively enacted effective rate of UK 
corporation tax for the year was 27.5% (2010: 28%). The differences 
are explained below:

Profit before tax
Profit before tax multiplied by standard rate of
corporation tax in the UK of 27.5% (2010: 28%)
effects of:
Non-taxable income
Non-deductible expenditure
Over provision in respect of prior years 
taxation

All taxation relates to UK corporation tax.

2011
£m
1,778

489

(947)
503
(7)
38

2010
£m
103

29

–
15
–
44

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc (the “Company”) is a limited 
liability company incorporated in england and Wales, and domiciled 
in the UK.

i) Basis of preparation
The Company financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRS, consistent with the accounting policies set 
out in note 1 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ii) revenue
Revenue, which excludes value added tax, represents gross inflow of 
economic benefit from the Company’s operating activities. Revenue 
is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or 
receivable. The Company’s main source of revenue is from licensing 
the Company’s brand name asset to subsidiaries. This revenue 
is recognised on an accruals basis under the terms of relevant 
licensing agreements.

iii) Investment in subsidiaries
An investment in a subsidiary is recognised at cost less any provision 
for impairment. As permitted by section 133 of the Companies Act 
2006, where the relief afforded under section 131 of the Companies 
Act 2006 applies, cost is the aggregate of the nominal value of 
the relevant number of the Company’s shares and the fair value of 
any other consideration given to acquire the share capital of the 
subsidiary undertakings.

B. Investment income and finance costs

2011
£m

63

2011
£m

(6)
(68)
(74)

8

(1)

2
9
(65)

2010
£m

76

2010
£m

(11)
(69)
(80)

9

26

(26)
9
(71)

Investment income
Investment income from subsidiaries

Finance costs
– Interest payable and similar charges
Revolving Credit Facility (“RCF”)
Guaranteed Notes (see note H)

– Other finance income (expense) 
Remeasurement of borrowings and  
borrowings-related derivative financial 
instruments (not qualifying for hedge accounting)
(Loss) gain arising on derivatives in a
designated fair value hedge accounting
relationship
Gain (loss) arising on adjustment for hedged
item in a designated fair value hedge
accounting relationship

AnnuAl report 2011     
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

e. Investments in subsidiaries

Cost
At 1 July 2009
Additions
Impairment
At 30 june 2010
Additions
Impairment
At 30 june 2011
Provision
At 1 July 2009, 30 June 2010 and 30 June 2011
Carrying amounts
At 1 July 2009
At 30 June 2010
At 30 june 2011

£m

5,743
40
(56)
5,727
5,163
(1,829)
9,061

1,005

4,738
4,722
8,056

During the year, the Company purchased the assets and liabilities 
of BSkyB Investments Limited which included its investment of 
£5,150 million in British Sky Broadcasting Limited. The Company 
now holds 100% of the share capital of British Sky Broadcasting 
Limited. Following this purchase, BSkyB Investments Limited was 
put into liquidation. The Company recognised an impairment of 
£1,805 million for its investment in BSkyB Investments Limited.

See note 34 for a list of significant investments of the Company.

F. Deferred tax 

recognised deferred tax (liabilities) assets

At 1 July 2009
Charge to equity
At 30 june 2010
Charge to income
Charge to equity
At 30 june 2011

Financial
instruments
temporary
differences
£m
1
(1)
–
(2)
(1)
(3)

At 30 June 2011, a deferred tax asset of £324 million (2010: 
£349 million) has not been recognised in respect of potential capital 
losses related to the Group’s holding of KirchPayTv, on the basis 
that utilisation of these temporary differences is not probable. At 
30 June 2011, the Company has also not recognised a deferred tax 
asset of £1 million (2010: £1 million) relating to provisions in respect 
of football club investments, on the basis that it is not probable that 
they will be utilised.

G. other receivables

Amounts receivable from subsidiaries
Accrued income
Current other receivables
Non-current prepayment
total other receivables

2011
£m
1,406
–
1,406
6
1,412

2010
£m
3,430
2
3,432
8
3,440

During the year, the Company purchased the assets and liabilities 
of BSkyB Investments Limited and on the same date agreed to 
cancel the outstanding intercompany loans to BSkyB Investments 
Limited as consideration for the purchase. These loans accrued 
interest at 1 month LIBOR plus 0.75%.

On 5 March 2009, the Company made a loan of £694 million to 
British Sky Broadcasting Limited which is repayable on demand 
and bears interest at a rate of 6 month LIBOR. In October 2009, 
the Company assigned £604 million of this loan to settle payables 
with BSkyB Finance Limited.

On 13 January 2009, the Company made a loan of £252 million to 
British Sky Broadcasting Limited. This loan bears interest at a rate 
of 6 month LIBOR plus 1.00% and is repayable on demand.

On 13 January 2009, the Company made a loan of £91 million to Sky 
In-Home Service Limited. This loan is repayable on demand and 
bears interest at a rate of 6 month LIBOR plus 1.00%.

On 24 November 2008, the Company issued US$600 million 
Guranteed Notes with a coupon rate of 9.5% and loaned the 
proceeds to BSkyB Finance Limited. BSkyB Finance Limited pays 
the same annual effective interest rate to the Company.

On 29 June 2008, the Company entered into the following loan 
agreements with British Sky Broadcasting Limited:

●  £143 million and £109 million, both bearing interest at a rate 

of 1 month LIBOR plus 0.75%. These loans are repayable on 
demand.

●  £11 million at an interest rate of 12 month LIBOR plus 0.75%. In 
June 2011, this loan and the accrued interest was paid in full.

On 29 June 2008, Sky ventures Limited transferred its £11 million 
loan receivable from BSkyB Finance Limited to the Company. This 
loan bears interest at a rate of 1 month LIBOR plus 0.75% and is 
repayable on demand.

On 29 June 2008, the Company entered into a RCF with BSkyB 
Finance Limited worth £40 million. Amounts loaned under this 
facility bear interest at a rate of 1 month LIBOR plus 0.75% and is 
repayable on demand.

On 15 February 2008, the Company issued US$750 million 
Guaranteed Notes with a coupon rate of 6.100% and loaned 
the proceeds to British Sky Broadcasting Limited. British Sky 
Broadcasting Limited pays the same annual effective interest rate 
to the Company.

All other amounts receivable from subsidiaries are non-interest 
bearing and are also repayable on demand.

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of other 
receivables approximates their fair values.

The Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its other 
receivables. The majority of its other receivables balance is 
due from British Sky Broadcasting Limited. The risk of this 
entity defaulting on amounts owed is considered low due to its 
successful operation of a pay television broadcasting service in 
the UK and Ireland.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
113

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

35. British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Company only financial statements continued
H. Borrowings

Non-current borrowings
US$750 million of 6.100% Guaranteed Notes repayable in February 2018
US$582.8 million of 9.500% Guaranteed Notes repayable in November 2018
£300 million of 6.000% Guaranteed Notes repayable in May 2027

See note 23 for details of the Company’s Guaranteed Notes and RCF and note 25 for details of Capital Risk Management.

I. other payables

Other payables
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Accruals

2011
£m

476
383
295
1,154

2011
£m

2,238
18
2,256

2010
£m

511
413
295
1,219

2010
£m

2,321
19
2,340

Amounts payable to subsidiaries are non-interest bearing and repayable on demand. The balance comprises £725 million of non-interest 
bearing loans (2010: £1,216 million) and £1,513 million of other payables (2010: £1,105 million). The Directors consider that the carrying 
amount of other payables approximates their fair values.

j. Derivatives and other financial instruments

Fair values
Set out below is a comparison of the carrying values and the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities 
at 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2010:

Financial assets and liabilities held or issued to finance the Company’s operations
Quoted bond debt
Derivative financial instruments
Other payables and receivables

2011
Carrying
 value
£m

(1,154)
91
(850)

2011
Fair 
value
£m

(1,317)
91
(850)

2010
Carrying
 value
£m

(1,219)
146
1,092

2010
Fair
value
£m

(1,382)
146
1,092

The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are determined as detailed in note 24 and all items held at fair value are classified 
as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
114

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Set out below are the derivative financial instruments entered into by the Company to manage its interest rate and foreign exchange risk.

Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps
Cash flow hedges
Cross-currency swaps
Derivatives not in a formal hedge relationship
Interest rate swaps
Cross-currency swaps
total

2011

2010

Asset

Liability

Asset

Liability

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

46

65

49
112
272

481

290

331
724
1,826

–

–

(49)
(132)
(181)

–

–

331
1,017
1,348

47

87

51
164
349

514

290

351
724
1,879

–

–

(51)
(152)
(203)

–

–

351
1,018
1,369

Note 24 provides further details of the Group’s derivative and other financial instruments.

The maturity of the derivative financial instruments is shown below:

Between two and five years
In more than five years
total

k. Financial risk management

2011

2010

Asset
£m
86
186
272

Liability
£m
(86)
(95)
(181)

Asset
£m
–
349
349

Liability
£m
–
(203)
(203)

Interest rate and foreign exchange risk management
The Company manages its exposure to interest rates and foreign exchange movements, which arise from the Company’s sources of 
finance by selectively entering into derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure. The Company has also entered into 
derivative contracts on behalf of its subsidiary BSkyB Finance UK plc, and has back-to-back intercompany contracts.

Foreign exchange risk
The following analysis details the Company’s sensitivity to movements in pounds sterling against all currencies in which it has significant 
transactions. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated financial instruments and adjusts their 
translation at the period end for a 25% change in foreign currency rates, representing the maximum currency exposure reported to 
management on a regular basis.

A 25% strengthening in pounds sterling against the US dollar would have an adverse impact on profit of £27 million (2010: adverse 
impact of £33 million), relating to non-cash movements in the valuation of derivatives. The same strengthening would have an adverse 
impact on other equity of £15 million (2010: adverse impact of £17 million).

A 25% weakening in pounds sterling against the US dollar would have a beneficial impact on profit of £45 million (2010: beneficial impact 
of £55 million), relating to non-cash movements in the valuation of derivatives. The same weakening would have a beneficial impact on 
other equity of £25 million (2010: beneficial impact of £28 million).

Interest rate risk
The sensitivity analyses below have been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for both derivatives and non-derivative 
financial instruments at the balance sheet date. For floating rate liabilities, the analysis is prepared assuming the amount of liability 
outstanding at the balance sheet date was outstanding for the whole year.

For each one hundred basis point rise or fall in interest rates at 30 June 2011, and if all other variables were held constant, the 
Company’s profit for the year ended 30 June 2011 would decrease or increase by £3 million (2010: decrease or increase by £5 million) 
and other equity reserves would decrease or increase by £5 million (2010: decrease or increase by £6 million).

A one hundred basis point rise or fall in interest rates represents a large but realistic movement which can easily be multiplied to give 
sensitivities at different interest rates.

The sensitivity analyses provided are hypothetical only and should be used with caution as the impacts provided are not necessarily 
indicative of the actual impacts that would be experienced because the effect of a change in a particular market variable on fair values 
or cash flows is calculated without considering interrelationships between the various market rates or mitigating actions that would be 
taken by the Company. In addition, the Company’s actual exposure to market rates changes as the Company’s portfolio of debt changes. 

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
115

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Book 1.indb   115

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

NOTeS TO THe CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS  
continued

35. British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Company only financial statements continued
k. Financial risk management continued

The changes in valuations are estimates of the impact of changes in market variables and are not a prediction of future events or 
anticipated gains or losses.

liquidity risk
See note 25 for the Company’s policy on liquidity management.

The following table analyses the Company’s non-derivative financial liabilities, net settled interest rate swaps and gross settled currency 
swaps and collars into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity 
date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

These amounts may not reconcile to the amounts disclosed on the balance sheet for borrowings, derivative financial instruments and 
other payables.

At 30 June 2011
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Bonds – USD
Bonds – GBP
Other payables
Net settled derivatives
Financial assets
Gross settled derivatives
Outflow
Inflow

At 30 June 2010
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Bonds – USD
Bonds – GBP
Other payables
Net settled derivatives
Financial assets
Gross settled derivatives
Outflow
Inflow

Less than
12 months
£m

Between
one and
two years
£m

Between
two and
five years
£m

More than
five years
£m

63
18
2,256

(18)

49
(45)

63
18
–

(18)

49
(45)

189
54
–

(56)

146
(134)

976
498
–

(44)

887
(931)

Less than
12 months
£m

Between
one and
two years
£m

Between
two and
five years
£m

More than
five years
£m

68
18
2,340

(19)

48
(48)

68
18
–

(19)

48
(48)

203
54
–

(57)

143
(145)

1,111
516
–

(65)

933
(1,046)

At 30 June 2011, the Company had an undrawn £750 million RCF with a maturity date of 30 July 2013. See note 23 for further information.

l. notes to the Company statement of changes in equity

For details of share capital, share premium, the special reserve, the capital redemption reserve and the hedging reserve see notes 26 and 27.

For details of dividends, see note 12.

Capital reserve
This reserve arose from the surplus on the transfer of trade and assets to a subsidiary undertaking.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
116

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

m. reconciliation of profit before taxation to cash generated from operations

profit before taxation
Dividend income
Impairment of investment
Net finance costs (income)
Decrease (increase) in other receivables
(Decrease) increase in other payables
Cash generated from operations

n. Contingent liabilities and guarantees

2011
£m
1,778
(3,445)
1,829
2
2,039
(2,203)
–

2010
£m
103
–
56
(5)
(974)
820
–

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have undertaken, in the normal course of business, to provide support to several of the 
Group’s investments in both limited and unlimited companies and partnerships, to meet their liabilities as they fall due. Several of these 
undertakings contain maximum financial limits. These undertakings have been given for at least one year from the date of the signing of 
the UK statutory accounts of the related entity. A payment under these undertakings would be required in the event of an investment 
being unable to pay its liabilities.

The Company has provided parent company guarantees in respect of the various contracts entered into with the PL by British Sky 
Broadcasting Limited covering the 2010/11 to 2012/13 football seasons. In each case the guarantee covers all payment obligations now or 
in the future due, owing or incurred by British Sky Broadcasting Limited under the contracts and all liabilities now or in the future arising 
or incurred under the indemnity given to the PL by British Sky Broadcasting Limited under the contracts.

The Company has provided a parent company guarantee in respect of the contract entered into with British Sky Broadcasting Limited 
and Stanhope Plc in relation to the construction of a new building at the Osterley Campus. The guarantee covers all performance 
obligations and payment obligations imposed on British Sky Broadcasting Limited under that contract.

The Company has provided a limited parent company guarantee in respect of a credit facility provided to BSkyB Publications Limited 
by Royal Mail Group plc in relation to the delivery of customer magazines. The guarantee covers all payment obligations of BSkyB 
Publications Limited and is capped at £2 million (together with interest).

The Company has guarantees in place relating to the Group’s borrowings, see note 23.

o. transactions with related parties and major shareholders

Supply of services to subsidiaries
Interest received from funding to subsidiaries
Amounts owed by subsidiaries
Amounts owed to subsidiaries

2011
£m
192
63
1,406
(2,238)

2010
£m
162
76
3,432
(2,321)

The Company has related party transactions with its subsidiaries by virtue of its status as parent company of the Group. In particular, it 
is normal treasury practice for the Company to lend and borrow cash to and from its subsidiaries as required. Under this policy, British 
Sky Broadcasting Limited settled liabilities of £66 million (2010: £87 million) on behalf of the Company, during the year. Interest is earned 
on certain loans to subsidiaries.

The Company recognised £192 million (2010: £162 million) for licensing the Sky brand name to subsidiaries.

The Company recognised dividends during the year from subsidiaries totalling £3,445 million (2010: less than £1 million) primarily due to 
the liquidation of BSkyB Investments Limited.

On 15 June 2010, News Corporation announced a proposal relating to a possible offer for the entire share capital of the Company not 
already owned by News Corporation. On 13 July 2011, this proposal was withdrawn. For further details see note 32.

The Group’s related party transactions are disclosed in note 32.

p. events after the reporting period

For details of the withdrawal of the News Corporation proposal, see note 32.

For details of the Company’s share buy-back programme, see note 33.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
117

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Book 1.indb   117

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Group financial record - unaudited

Consolidated results
Below is selected financial information for the Group under IFRS as at and for each of the five years ended 30 June 2011.

Year ended
30 June 
2011
£m

Year ended
30 June
 2010
£m

Year ended
30 June
2009
£m

Year ended
30 June
2008
£m

Year ended
30 June
2007
£m

5,455
323
458
112
249
6,597
(5,524)
–
1,073
34
–
9
(111)
–
–
9
1,014
(256)
758

52
810
(8)
802

46.5p
45.9p
23.3p

4,761
238
340
174
196
5,709
(4,865)
269
1,113
32
49
3
(122)
–
–
115
1,190
(294)
896

(18)
878
61
939

50.4p
50.1p
19.4p

4,177
206
329
235
210
5,157
(4,315)
–
842
19
–
35
(220)
–
(191)
–
485
(194)
291

(32)
259
134
393

14.9p
14.8p
17.6p

3,765
181
351
276
201
4,774
(4,022)
–
752
15
–
47
(177)
67
(616)
–
88
(184)
(96)

(31)
(127)
187
60

(7.3)p
(7.3)p
16.8p

3,402
208
370
212
200
4,392
(3,552)
–
840
12
–
46
(149)
–
–
–
749
(222)
527

(28)
499
(124)
375

28.4p
28.2p
15.5p

30 June 
2011
£m
3,025
2,329
5,354
(1,912)
(2,407)
1,035
1,753

30 June
 2010
£m
2,818
1,986
4,804
(1,707)
(2,537)
560
1,753

30 June
2009
£m
2,632
1,937
4,569
(2,194)
(2,439)
(64)
1,753

30 June
2008
£m
2,384
1,698
4,082
(1,893)
(2,357)
(168)
1,753

30 June
2007
£m
2,557
1,363
3,920
(1,499)
(2,374)
47
1,753

Consolidated Income Statement
Continuing operations
Retail subscription
Wholesale subscription
Advertising
Installation, hardware and service
Other
revenue(i)
Operating expense(ii)
Litigation settlement income
operating profit
Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Investment income on litigation settlement
Investment income
Finance costs
Profit on disposal of joint venture
Impairment of available-for-sale investment
Profit on disposal of available-for-sale investment
profit before tax
Taxation
profit (loss) for the year from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations
profit (loss) for the year
Net (loss) profit recognised directly in equity
total comprehensive income for the year
earnings (loss) per share from profit (loss) for the year (in pence)
Basic
Diluted
Dividends declared per share (in pence)

Consolidated Balance Sheet
Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net assets (liabilities)
Number of shares in issue (in millions)

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
118

Book 1.indb   118

12/10/11   20:47:16

CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Statistics
Distribution of Sky Channels
Tv homes
Wholesale homes(iii)(iv)
total Sky pay homes
DTT homes(v)
Sky Broadband homes
Sky Talk homes
Average number of full-time equivalent employees

notes:

Year ended
30 June 
2011

Year ended
30 June 
2010

Year ended
30 June 
2009

Year ended
30 June 
2008

Year ended
30 June 
2007

10,187
4,382
14,569
10,100
3,335
3,101
16,006

9,860
4,312
14,172
10,100
2,624
2,367
16,439

(in thousands)

9,442
4,271
13,713
9,900
2,203
1,850
14,922

8,980
1,248
10,228
9,700
1,628
1,241
14,145

8,582
1,259
9,841
9,139
716
526
13,087

(i) 

To provide a more relevant presentation, management has reclassified online properties and Sky Magazine advertising revenue from other revenue to advertising revenue. 

Included within retail subscription revenue for the year ended 30 June 2009 is £36 million of additional revenue representing amounts invoiced in prior years which did 
not meet revenue recognition criteria under IFRS until March 2009.

(ii) 

Included within operating expense for the year ended 30 June 2011 is £26 million of restructuring costs arising on the acquisition of Living TV, which comprise principally 
redundancy payments and the early termination of a pre-acquisition contract, £15 million of costs in relation to the News Corporation proposal and a credit of £41 million 
in relation to import duty on set-top boxes paid out in prior years. This duty is recoverable due to the judgment given by the ECJ on 14 April 2011.

Included within operating expense for the year ended 30 June 2010 is £32 million of expense relating to a restructuring exercise of which £22 million related to the 
impairment of assets associated with Picnic (the potential launch of a subscription television service on DTT) and £10 million related to reorganisation costs and 
redundancy payments. Also included within operating expense for the year ended 30 June 2010 is £1 million (2009: £3 million; 2008: £21 million) of expense relating to 
legal costs incurred on the Group’s claim against EDS which provided services to the Group as part of the Group’s investment in customer management systems software 
and infrastructure, and a £5 million credit (2009: nil) related to the cancellation of accounts payable on settlement of the claim against EDS.

Included within operating expense for the year ended 30 June 2008 is £7 million of expense relating to a restructuring exercise undertaken following a review of 
operating costs.

Included within operating expense for the year ended 30 June 2007 is a £65 million credit due to the Group, arising from certain contractual rights under one of the 
Group’s channel distribution agreements.

The number of wholesale homes includes distribution of our ‘Freeview’ channels by wholesale operators as part of a “Free TV” pack bundled with other products.

The number of wholesale homes is as reported to us by the wholesale operators. Between February 2007 and November 2008, the reported number of wholesale homes 
reflects the impact of Virgin Media (“VM”) ceasing to carry Sky’s Basic Channels on its platform. A new agreement was reached in November 2008 and VM resumed 
carriage of the Sky Basic Channels.

(iii) 

(iv) 

(v) 

The Digital Terrestrial Television (“DTT”) homes number consists of the UK Office of Communications’ (“Ofcom’s”) estimate of the number of homes where DTT is the only 
digital TV platform supplying services and includes Top Up TV DTT homes. The number of DTT homes for all periods disclosed above is based on Ofcom’s Digital Television 
Update published quarterly in arrears. Latest data available for the year ended 30 June 2011 is at 31 March 2011.
Factors which materially affect the comparability of the selected financial data
Discontinued operations

During fiscal 2011, the Group sold its business-to-business telecommunications operation, easynet, to LDC. For further details see note 
10 to the consolidated financial statements.

eDS litigation settlement

During fiscal 2010, eDS and the Group fully and finally settled the litigation between them and all related claims (including for damages, 
costs and interest) for a total amount of £318 million. For further details see note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Available-for-sale investment

During fiscal 2011 we disposed of our equity investment in Shine and recognised a profit of £9 million. For further details see note 6 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

During fiscal 2010 we disposed of part of our equity investment in ITv and recognised a profit on disposal of £115 million. For further 
details see note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.

During fiscal 2009, we recorded an impairment loss of £191 million (fiscal 2008: £616 million) in the carrying value of our equity 
investment in ITv.

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
119

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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Group financial record - unaudited  

continued

Business combinations

During fiscal 2011, we completed the acquisitions of Living Tv and The Cloud. The results of these acquisitions were consolidated from the 
date on which control passed to the Group (12 July 2010 and 23 February 2011, respectively). For further details see note 31 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

During fiscal 2008, we completed the acquisition of Amstrad. The results of this acquisition were consolidated from the date on which 
control passed to the Group (5 September 2007).

During fiscal 2007, we completed the acquisition of 365 Media Group. The results of this acquisition were consolidated from the date on 
which control passed to the Group (23 January 2007).

Disposal of joint venture

On 12 December 2007, the Group sold its 100% stake in BSkyB Nature Limited, the investment holding company for the Group’s 50% interest 
in the NGC-UK Partnership. As consideration for the disposal, the Group received 21% interests in both NGC Network International LLC and 
NGC Network Latin America LLC (in effect, 21% of National Geographic Channel’s television operations outside the US). The Group 
recognised a profit on disposal of £67 million.

exchange rates

A significant portion of our liabilities and expenses associated with the cost of programming acquired from US film licensors together with 
set-top box costs are denominated in US dollars. For a discussion of the impact of exchange rate movements on our financial condition and 
results of operations see note 25 to the consolidated financial statements.

AnnuAl report 2011     
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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CONSOLIDATeD FINANCIAL STATeMeNTS

Non-GAAP measures

All continuing operations

reconciliation of revenue to adjusted revenue
for the year ended 30 June 2011

revenue
Recognition of deferred revenue
Adjusted Group revenue

Notes

reconciliation of operating profit to adjusted operating profit and adjusted eBItDA
for the year ended 30 June 2011

operating profit
Living Tv restructuring costs
Costs in relation to News Corporation proposal
Recovery of import duty on set-top boxes
Litigation settlement income relating to claim against eDS
Legal costs relating to claim against eDS
Cancellation of accounts payable on settlement of claim against eDS
Costs relating to restructuring exercise
Recognition of deferred revenue

Adjusted eBItDA
Depreciation and amortisation
Costs relating to restructuring exercise included within depreciation and amortisation(i)

Notes

3
3
3
4
3
3
3

2011
£m
6,597
–
6,597

2011
£m
1,073
26
15
(41)
–
–
–
–
–

1,405
(332)
–

2010
£m
5,709
–
5,709

2010
£m
1,113
–
–
–
(269)
1
(5)
32
–

1,185
(338)
25

2009
£m
5,157
(36)
5,121

2009
£m
842
–
–
–
–
3
–
–
(36)

1,077
(268)
–

Adjusted operating profit

1,073

872

809

(i) 

Included within depreciation and amortisation for the year ended 30 June 2010 is £25 million of expense relating to a restructuring exercise of which £22 million related 
to the impairment of assets associated with Picnic (the potential launch of a subscription television service on DTT) and £3 million related to restructuring costs.

reconciliation of cash generated from operations to adjusted free cash flow
for the year ended 30 June 2011

Cash generated from operations
Interest received
Taxation paid
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Net funding to joint ventures and associates
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Interest paid
Free cash flow
Living Tv restructuring costs
Costs in relation to News Corporation proposal
Litigation settlement income relating to claim against eDS (after tax)
Legal costs relating to claim against eDS
Receipt on closure of joint venture
Cash paid relating to restructuring exercise
Adjusted free cash flow

Notes
28

2011
£m
1,569
7
(219)
29
(4)
(197)
(226)
(124)
835
26
2
–
–
–
6
869

2010
£m
1,626
57
(319)
30
(1)
(246)
(183)
(156)
808
–
–
(229)
1
(3)
–
577(i)

2009
£m
1,215
47
(178)
20
(3)
(240)
(139)
(217)
505
–
–
–
3
-
7
515(i)

(i) 

The purchase of freehold land has been removed from adjusting items in the comparative periods (2010: £57 million; 2009: £24 million).

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
121

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SHAReHOLDeR INFORMATION

Shareholder information

Annual General meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 
29 November 2011 at 11:00am at The Queen elizabeth II Conference 
Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3ee.

Financial calendar
Results for the financial year ending 30 June 2012 will be published:
Q1 19 October 2011
Q2 31 January 2012
Q3 4 May 2012
Q4 26 July 2012

the Sky website
Shareholders are encouraged to visit the Sky website www.sky.com 
which has a wealth of information about the Company. There is a 
section designed specifically for investors at www.sky.com/corporate 
where investor and media information can be accessed. This year’s 
Annual Report and Annual Review and prior year documents can 
be viewed.

Share price information
The Company’s share price can be found on the Company’s 
corporate website at www.sky.com/corporate.

Shareholder enquiries
The Company’s shareholder register is maintained by its Registrar, 
equiniti. Shareholders should contact equiniti in relation to all 
administrative enquiries relating to their shares, such as a change 
of personal details, the loss of a share certificate or an out-of date 
dividend cheque. Alternatively, shareholders can access and view 
their shareholding and update their details at www.shareview.co.uk.

Shareholders can contact equiniti at:
equiniti Limited
Aspect House
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex BN99 6DA
Telephone: 0871 384 2091*
Telephone number from outside the UK: +44 121 415 7567

* 

Calls to the above number are charged at 8p per minute from a BT landline. Other 
telephony providers’ costs may vary. Lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm 
Monday to Friday.

electronic shareholder communication
In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and 
the Company’s articles of association, the Company is permitted 
to use its corporate website as the main way to communicate with 
shareholders, sending out Annual Reports only to those who have 
opted to receive a paper copy. This reduces our impact on the 
environment, minimises waste and reduces costs. It also enables 
shareholders to keep updated with developments at Sky as they 
happen by accessing our website.

Shareholders who have opted to receive shareholder communications 
in paper form are encouraged to receive these electronically in future 
by registering at www.shareview.co.uk. Shareholders can also change 
their instructions at any time by contacting equiniti Limited.

Dividends
Shareholders can have their dividends paid directly into a UK bank 
or building society account with the tax voucher sent direct to their 
registered address. Please contact equiniti for a dividend mandate 
form.

The Company also operates a consolidated tax voucher service for 
those shareholders who have chosen to receive dividends directly 
into their bank account. A single consolidated tax voucher will be 
mailed by the end of November each year, to coincide with the final 
dividend payment. Full details are available at  
www.sky.com/corporate.

overseas dividend payments
A service has been established to provide shareholders in over 
30 countries worldwide with the opportunity to receive their 
dividends in their local currency. For a small flat-rate fee, shareholders 
can have their dividends automatically converted from Sterling and 
paid into their nominated bank account, normally within five working 
days of the dividend payment date. For further details, please 
contact equiniti on +44 121 415 7567.

Dividend reinvestment plan
The Company operates a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”) which 
enables shareholders to buy the Company’s shares on the London 
stock market with their cash dividend. Further information about the 
DRIP is available from equiniti. The helpline number is 0871 384 2268 
from inside the UK and +44 121 415 7173 from overseas.

ShareGift
Shareholders who only have a small number of shares whose value 
makes it uneconomic to sell them may wish to consider donating them 
to charity through ShareGift, the independent charity share donation 
scheme (registered charity no. 1052686). Further information about 
ShareGift may be obtained from equiniti or from ShareGift on 
020 7930 3737 or at www.sharegift.org. There are no implications 
for capital gains tax purposes (no gain or loss) on gifts of shares to 
charity and it is also possible to claim income tax relief.

Shareholder fraud
Fraud is on the increase and many shareholders are targeted every 
year. If you have any reason to believe that you may have been the 
target of a fraud, or attempted fraud in relation to your shareholding, 
please contact equiniti immediately. To reduce the risk of fraud 
happening to you please see our list of ‘preventing shareholder fraud 
tips’ in the shareholder information section of our website at www.
sky.com/corporate.

American Depositary receipts (“ADrs”)
The Company’s ADR programme trades on the over-the-counter 
(‘OTC’) market in the US. The Company’s ADRs are quoted on the 
OTC market’s highest tier, International PremierQx. More information 
can be obtained from, http://www.otcqx.com. ADRs are quoted in US 
dollars and trade just like any other US security. The Company has a 
sponsored Level 1 ADR programme for which The Bank of New York 
Mellon acts as Depositary. One ADR represents four ordinary shares.

All enquiries relating to the Company’s ADRs should be addressed 
to:

AnnuAl report 2011     
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122

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SHAReHOLDeR INFORMATION

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
PO Box 358516
Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8516
USA
US residents: (888) 269 2377
If resident outside the US: +1 201 680 6825
email: shrrelations@bnymellon.com

Company’s registered office:
Grant Way
Isleworth
Middlesex
TW7 5QD
Telephone 0333 100 0333
Overseas +44 333 100 0333

Company registration number
2247735

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
Deloitte LLP
2 New Street Square
London
eC4A 3BZ

principal bankers
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
St. Andrew’s Square
edinburgh
eH2 2YB

Solicitors
Herbert Smith LLP
exchange House
Primrose Street
London
eC2A 2HS

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AnnuAl report 2011   
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GLOSSARY OF TeRMS

Glossary of terms

useful Definitions 

Description

ADS 

Bonus channel 

American Depositary Share (each ADS currently represents four ordinary shares of BSkyB)

 A channel provided to a Tv customer in addition to one or more subscription channels, but at no  
incremental cost to the Tv customer

BSkyB or the Company 

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc

Churn 

DSl 

DtH 

Dtt 

eBItDA 

epG 

eSop 

eSpn 

 The number of DTH customers over a given period that terminate their subscription in its entirety, net of 
former DTH customers who reinstated their subscription in that period (where such reinstatement is within 
a 12-month period of the termination of their original subscription), expressed as an annualised percentage 
of total average DTH customers for the period

Digital Subscriber Line

 Direct-to-Home: the transmission of satellite services and functionality with reception through a minidish. 
“DTH customer” means a subscriber to one or more of our retailed packages of television channels made 
available via DTH

 Digital Terrestrial Television: digital signals delivered to homes through a conventional aerial, converted 
through a set-top box or integrated digital television set

 earnings before joint ventures, interest, profit on disposal of available-for-sale investment, taxation, 
depreciation and amortisation is calculated as operating profit before depreciation, amortisation and 
impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

electronic Programme Guide

employee Share Ownership Plan

 entertainment and Sports Programming Network broadcasting the eSPN, eSPN Classic, eSPN America and 
eSPN HD Channels

Fiscal year or fiscal 

Refers to the twelve months ended on the Sunday nearest to 30 June of the given year

Freeview 

GAAp 

the Group 

HD 

HmrC 

IFrS 

Ip 

IptV 

llu 

minidish 

mpF 

The free DTT offering available in the UK

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

BSkyB and its subsidiary undertakings

High Definition Television

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs

International Financial Reporting Standards

 Internet Protocol: the mechanism by which data packets may be routed between computers on a network

Internet Protocol Television

 Local Loop Unbundling: a process by which BT’s exchange lines are physically disconnected from BT’s 
network and connected to other operators’ networks. This enables operators other than BT to use the BT 
local loop to provide services to customers

Satellite dish required to receive digital satellite television

 Metallic Path Facilities which occur where a single communications provider uses the local loop to provide 
both broadband and voice services over its network

multiroom 

Installation of an additional set-top box in the household of an existing DTH customer

nVn 

ofcom 

pl 

New voice Network

UK Office of Communications

Premier League

premium Channels 

The Sky Premium Channels and the Premium Sky Distributed Channels

premium Sky Distributed 
Channels

eSPN (& HD), Disney Cinemagic (& HD), MUTv, Chelsea Tv and MGM HD  

AnnuAl report 2011     
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GLOSSARY OF TeRMS

pVr 

rCF 

Set-top box 

Sky 
Sky+ 
Sky+HD 

Sky Active 

Sky Basic Channels 

Sky Bet 

Sky Broadband 

Sky Box office 

Sky by wire 

 Personal video Recorder: satellite decoder which utilises a built-in hard disk drive to enable viewers to 
record without videotapes, pause live television and record one programme while watching another

Revolving Credit Facility

 Digital satellite equipment, responsible for receiving, converting and sending the picture and sound of a 
broadcast to the associated television set

British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc and its subsidiary undertakings

Sky’s fully-integrated PvR and satellite decoder

High Definition box with PvR functionality

 The brand name for Sky’s transactional interactive television services, including customer services, 
games, betting and messaging

 Sky 1, Sky 2, Pick Tv, Challenge, Sky News, Sky Sports News, Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts 2, Sky Bet, Sky Poker.
com, Sky Living, Sky Living Loves, Sky Living It and Sky Atlantic (and their multiplex versions and their 
simulcast HD versions)

Sky’s betting services, provided through set-top boxes, the internet and via phone

 Home broadband service previously provided exclusively for Sky digital customers but now extended to 
customers who do not take a television service from Sky

Our pay-per-view service offering movies, sporting events and concerts

 Sky’s retailed packages of premium Sky channels made available on third party operators’ DSL and fibre 
platforms

Sky Channels 

Television channels wholly owned by the Group, being the Sky Basic Channels and Sky Premium Channels

Sky Distributed Channels 

Television channels owned and broadcast by third parties, retailed by the Group to Tv Customers

Sky mobile 

Sky player  

Sky premium Channels 

Sky talk 

SmAtV 

SmpF 

 Sky’s retailed packages of television channels made available to mobile devices via a wireless or 3G 
connection and our Sky Mobile Tv platform

 Sky’s retailed packages of television channels and on demand content made available via a broadband 
connection and our Sky Player platform

 Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 3, Sky Sport 4, Sky Movies Premier, Sky Movies Showcase, Sky 
Movies Comedy, Sky Movies Family, Sky Movies Action & Adventure, Sky Movies Modern Greats, Sky 
Movies SciFi & Horror, Sky Movies Drama & Romance, Sky Movies Crime & Thriller, Sky Movies Classics and 
Sky Movies Indie (and their multiplex versions and their simulcast HD versions)

 Home telephony service provided for Sky digital subscribers and now extended to customers who do not 
take a television service from Sky

Satellite Master Antenna Television

Shared Metallic Path Facility

Standalone home 
communications 

Sky’s retailed packages of broadband, talk and line rental when taken without a television subscription 
package

transponder 

tV Customer 

Viewing share 

Vm 

wAn 

Communication devices on satellites which send programming signals to minidishes

A subscriber to one or more of our DTH, Sky by Wire, Sky Player or Sky Mobile Tv services

Number of people viewing a channel as a percentage of total viewing audience

virgin Media

Wide Area Network: Companies link networks at different sites over the internet to form a secure WAN

AnnuAl report 2011   
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
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British Sky Broadcasting Group plc
Annual Report 2011

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc
Grant Way, Isleworth
Middlesex TW7 5QD
Telephone 0333 100 0333
Facsimile 0333 100 0444
www.sky.com
Registered in England No. 2247735

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