Disney boosted by pay-TV

The performance of Disney’s international pay-TV channels helped the studio see its third quarter earning rise by 40% to US$1.3bn (€1bn).

The company saw revenues hit $10bn, an increase of 16% from last year.

Chief executive Bob Iger said: “Our cable channels also performed well during the quarter; Disney Channel continues to command high ratings with successful shows including Phineas and Ferb and Good Luck Charlie. The channel also has continued to expand its international presence.”

The company highlighted its digital media plans and is eyeing the launch of day-and-date video-on-demand releases of some of its key film and TV titles. “We are going to become aggressive. We’re experimenting with new windows including that one. It’s too soon to make specific comments or predictions about that, but I think it presents an interesting opportunity. There are people who we believe would like to see movies sooner than later and would pay a premium price to do that.”

However, Iger ignored questions over whether the company would sell its US network ABC. “I don’t have anything new to add to the discussion about the make up of our asset base,” he added.