British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC, Britain's biggest pay-TV operator, earned 90 million pounds ($150 million) in the three months ending Sept. 30 after breaking even in the same period a year ago. It was the company's first earnings report since James Murdoch took over as chief executive.

Shareholders also approved Murdoch, the 30-year-old son of chairman Rupert Murdoch, as a company director, in a show of hands at BSkyB's annual general meeting later Friday. Some shareholders had opposed the younger Murdoch's appointment, fearing it could compromise the firm's independence.

BSkyB's sales for the three months ending Sept. 30 rose to 850 million pounds ($1.42 billion) from 726 million pounds in 2002. Net income turned positive compared to a year-ago profit of zero.

Subscriber numbers topped 7 million following a rise of 170,000. In August, the company reported its first full-year profit since it started digital operations in 1998.

Quarterly operating profit, before goodwill and exceptional items, doubled to 151 million pounds ($252 million), up from 75 million pounds in 2002.

The younger Murdoch became BSkyB's chief executive at the start of the month. His appointment sparked an uproar, with some investors voicing concern about a father-son team at the company's helm.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. owns 35.4 percent of BSkyB, and some critics fear that BSkyB might now be run for News Corp.'s benefit at the expense of its other shareholders' interests.

However, the influential National Association of Pension Funds had recommended prior to the meeting that its members vote in favor of James Murdoch's appointment as a BSkyB director.

A resolution to confirm Murdoch as an executive director passed by a wide margin, winning 75.5 percent of shareholder votes, the company said.