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����ý Worldwide, the ����ý's commercial arm, has reported total sales worth £1bn for the last financial year.

Sales were up 7% on the previous 12 months, the company said, with brands including Top Gear and Doctor Who performing particularly well.

Profits rose 36.5% to £145.2m, excluding exceptional items, the company added.

More than half of sales were generated overseas, where ����ý Worldwide sells ����ý content and runs a network of channels.

Its channels, which include ����ý America, registered a 34.2% rise in profits.

Sales of programmes abroad, including Top Gear, Doctor Who, and Planet Earth, saw a 26.4% rise in profits.

Domestically, DVD sales continued to grow but magazine sales were steady, ����ý Worldwide said.

Lonely Planet, the travel guide brand bought in 2007, also returned to profit.

"����ý Worldwide continues to give consumers around the world more and more content from the ����ý and other British production companies," said John Smith, ����ý Worldwide's chief executive.