"We're fine through the November sweeps," Iger said. But after that, he noted, the network would have to come up with a plan if the strike goes long-term.

Peter Chernin, president/COO of News Corp., said the Fox network would be in good shape if the strike were to go well into next year--with the next having virtually some original prime-time programming on every night of the week. Chernin said the strike would have a financially positive impact on the company.

Iger's comments were made as Disney announced third-quarter financial results. The Burbank, Calif.-based media company grabbed a healthy 12% rise in quarterly profit to $822 million in the third quarter, mostly the result of strong results from ESPN.

ESPN grabbed some healthy advertising sales, helping to boost all Disney's cable network revenues 24% to $2.8 billion and operating income by 30% to $1.1 billion.

Walt Disney's broadcasting unit, ABC network, had different results. Revenues declined 5% to $1.2 billion--down from $1.3 billion. Still, ABC had higher prime-time advertising revenue, as well as selling out higher levels of its commercial inventory.

For Disney's theme parks, revenues climbed 10% to $2.8 billion and operating income improved 9% to $430 million. All its older parks help deflect lower financial results from its Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

Studio Entertainment decreased 21% to $170 million, mostly from its theatrical films and DVD sales, and revenues were 24% lower to $1.5 billion. Titles such as Disney/Pixar's "Cars," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," and "The Little Mermaid" Platinum Release didn't do as well as "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" and the "Cinderella" Platinum Release in the prior year.

For consumer products, Disney saw a 5% increase in revenues to $590 million, and operating income climb 10% higher to $153 million. Growth in merchandise licensing came from many product categories, led by "High School Musical" and "Cars" merchandise.

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