ESPN carriage fees and ad gains were the company's single largest profit driver, but they were accompanied by higher ESPN program and overhead costs. “ESPN led the way, once again,” Disney chief financial officer Tom Staggs told an investors’ telephone conference. Income from continuing operations advanced 7 per cent to $1.28 billion. Revenue advanced 2 […]

Revenue rose 3 per cent to £5.18 billion, from £5.03 billion with growth driven by major corporate customers. Ian Livingston, chief executive of BT attempted to reassure the market, saying that the company’s full year guidance remains unchanged.

Sirius plans to issue about 262 million shares, with about 184 million offered at a fixed price of $1.50 per share, compared with Monday’s closing price of $1.88 a share. The remaining 78 million are expected to be offered later. The company is paying $2.76 billion for XM. Sirius also said XM had earlier made […]

“Advertisers in a few categories, such as retail, automotive, and certain consumer goods, pulled back their on-air spending as they adjusted their own operating plans and product launches,” Viacom Chief Executive Philippe Dauman said. “Low ratings at a few of our networks also contributed,” he said, citing BET. The company did not issue a third […]

Net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased 45 per cent to $528.9 million, compared to the first half of 2007. Operating income for the first half increased $62.8 million to $142.7 million. Net income increased $48.2 million to $82.5 million. Michael Garin, CME's Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The outstanding second quarter […]

Comcast added 320,000 digital-cable subscribers that now account for 67 per cent of its total, meaning 16.3 million video subscribers take its digital service. Seven million, or 43 per cent of its base, have advanced services, such as digital-video recorders. Looking forward, Comcast reaffirmed its guidance that 2008 will end with consolidated revenue and operating […]

The Paris-based company said its net loss for the quarter ended June 30 was E1.1 billion, compared with E586 million a year earlier.

Rose, a French-American national, was formerly president of Alcatel-Lucent's Europe, Asia and Africa business and a member of the telecoms equipment-maker's executive committee.