Driven by "The Avengers," which has made more than $1.4 billion worldwide, studio income increased to $313 million from $49 million a year earlier. Chief Executive Bob Iger announced the company had signed a deal with "Avengers" director Joss Whedon to write and direct an "Avengers" sequel, and to help develop a Marvel-based TV series for the ABC broadcast network.
The studio results offset a decline in earnings at Disney's powerhouse ESPN sports network, which the company said was due to the timing of deferred affiliate fees. Overall its cable TV unit, the company's largest, increased by 1 percent to $1.86 billion. Advertising at ESPN grew in the quarter, helped by NBA games. Looking ahead, Iger said he was bullish about ESPN's ad prospects "for the next number of months, maybe for the next year."
Advertising revenue at ABC "decreased modestly" from lower ratings partially offset by higher rates, Disney said. At theme parks, earnings rose 21 percent, the result of increases at its Tokyo theme park, where the company collects management and other fees, and which was impacted last year by a temporary suspension of operations following the March 2011 earthquake.
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