FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of APRIL 2006
25 APRIL 2006
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
(Name of Registrant)
Grant Way, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 5QD England
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): Not Applicable
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
EXHIBIT NO. 1 Press release of British Sky Broadcasting Group plc
announcing ACCOUNTING ALIGNMENT, BETTING released on
25 APRIL 2006
PRESS RELEASE
25 April 2006
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
BSkyB follows industry practice in accounting for betting
Following recent changes in industry practice regarding the accounting for
betting revenues and costs under International Financial Reporting Standards,
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc ("Sky") is today announcing its intention to
align its accounting policy with this change in industry practice.
In Sky's Interim Report for the half year ended 31 December 2005 to be filed on
form 6-K with the SEC on 26 April 2006, and in all quarterly reporting from then
on, Sky will account for betting revenues and costs under IAS 39 - "Financial
instruments: Recognition and Measurement". On this basis, betting payouts will
be netted against Sky Bet revenues. There is no effect on Sky's operating
profit.
Below is an extract from the consolidated income statement for the half year
ended 31 December 2005 illustrating the effect of applying the new aligned
accounting policy.
Consolidated Existing Change New accounting
income statement accounting policy
policy
GBPm
Revenue
DTH subscribers 1,554 1,554
Cable subscribers 112 112
Advertising 171 171
Sky Bet 136 (120) 16
Sky Active 46 46
Other 117 117
2,136 (120) 2,016
___________________________________________________
Operating expenses
Programming (810) (810)
Transmission and related
functions (87) (87)
Marketing (332) (332)
Subscriber management (215) (4) (219)
Administration (154) (154)
Betting (124) 124 -
(1,722) 120 (1,602)
___________________________________________________
Operating profit 414 - 414
________________________________________________________________________________
Enquiries:
Analysts/Investors:
Andrew Griffith Tel: 020 7705 3118
Robert Kingston Tel: 020 7705 3726
E-mail: investor-relations@bskyb.com
Press:
Matthew Anderson Tel: 020 7705 3267
Robert Fraser Tel: 020 7705 3036
E-mail: corporate.communications@bskyb.com
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
Date: 25 APRIL 2006 By: /s/ Dave Gormley
Dave Gormley
Company Secretary