BT added 97,000 television customers in the last quarter of 2015, taking its total television subscriber base to 1.4 million. BT says that it will maintain the EE brand, following its acquisition of the mobile network operator. EE will continue to offer its own television service, EE TV, together with mobile and broadband services.

BT also added 130,000 broadband retail customers. The company reported fibre broadband growth of 250,000, taking its fibre customer base to 3.7 million. 46% of its broadband customers are now on fibre, although that generally means fibre to the street cabinet.

BT declined to provide subscriber numbers for BT Sport, but boasted that it had boosted its viewer numbers by 46%. From August to the end of 2015 it had 20 matches with peak viewers above a million, compared to 12 in the same period the previous year.

Following the completion of its acquisition of mobile network operator EE, BT says it will retain the brand. It will serve customers with mobile, broadband and television services, marketed through its existing network of hundreds of high street stores.

BT consumer will continue to provide broadband, telephony, television and mobile services separately.

Group chief executive Gavin Patterson said: “We will operate a multi brand strategy with UK customers being able to choose a mix of BT, EE or Plusnet services, depending on which suit them best. The acquisition enables us to offer great value bundles of services and customers are set to be the winners as we compete for their business.”

www.bt.com