UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB is set to reach its target of five million subscribers almost two months ahead of schedule.

The broadcaster has notched up more than 4.7 million direct-to-home subscribers, of which more than four million were digital customers. BSkyB had aimed to reach five million by the end of the year.

BSkyB also announced that its revenues for the three months ended September 30 this year rose by 33% to $754m (£520m). Revenues were at $567m (£391m) for the comparable period the year before. Earnings during the period rose by 31% to $71m (£49m), compared with $54m (£37m) the year before.