Sky Deutschland expects to move into black next year

Pay TV operator Sky Deutschland will become profitable next year, according to chief financial officer Steve Tomsic.

Tomsic told the company’s annual meeting yesterday that EBITDA would be significantly greater this year than last, with a positive result expected for next year. In 2011 Sky Deutschland posted an operating loss of €155 million, significantly less than the loss posted in 2010.

Despite the positive news, Sky’s shares have been under pressure on the German stock market over uncertainty over the future of Bundesliga football rights. The German Football Association, the DFL, opened bids this week on the rights to the 2013-17 seasons, and Sky is facing tough competition from Deutsche Telekom, which is bidding for live pay TV rights as well as the IP rights it already holds.