NTL, the largest cable television operator in Britain and Ireland, said yesterday the fourth quarter was its most successful ever in terms of subscriber growth, with 86,800 subscribers added.

NTL shares, which in the past year have ranged from $20 to $43.93-3/4 , climbed $1.31-1/4 to $37.37-1/2 in New York Stock Exchange trading on Friday morning.