• November 18, 2005

Leading with the assertion that "advances in technology have changed how content is created, distributed and consumed," Walt Disney Co. CEO Robert Iger struck a non-linear tone in his comments to investors in the media company's fourth fiscal quarter (ended Oct. 1) earnings report released Thursday. Iger specifically cited Disney's recent deal to distribute ABC prime-time shows via Apple's video iPod and suggested Disney would be quick to embrace other new distribution platforms and technologies. In terms of its current businesses, Disney reported a 3 percent rise in revenues to $7.734 billion for the fiscal quarter, driven largely by a surge in sales from its media networks, which were up 16 percent to $3.4 billion. Operating income for ABC's broadcasting operations jumped to $48 million from a loss of $75 million for the same quarter in 2004. Operating income for Disney's cable networks jumped to $584 million from $523 million a year earlier thanks largely to higher fees from cable operators.