• Reuters, Friday, November 9, 2007 12:15 PM

Disney bumped up its third-quarter profit, with the help of ESPN and its theme park unit, although the company's CEO says the writer's strike could begin to pinch if it stretches out long enough. ESPN was the standout for the Mouse House--with higher advertising and affiliate revenue, along with more subscribers, while broadcast TV ended up in the red due to fewer syndicated sales the shutdown of a mobile phone service.

CEO Bob Iger says he has yet to see signs that general economic weakness was hitting advertising (or travel), but the strike that began this week could squeeze network profits if it lasts more than four weeks. He adds that ABC, with its top-rated prime-time schedule, may have to cut costs and use more reality shows, news and reruns. Still, the Alphabet Network is raking in the ad dollars, with revenue at its division up 14% and spot running double-digit percentages ahead of its upfront sales.

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