• by Wayne Friedman , November 5, 2013

Higher cable network revenues at 21st Century Fox help rocket overall company revenues by nearly 20% for its fiscal first-quarter earnings period.

Overall revenues were 18% higher to $7.06 billion, with net income cut in half to $1.26 billion. This was the second earnings release for 21st Century Fox since its split with News Corp. earlier this year. Fox stock was off as much as 3% during Tuesday, but closed down just 0.2% to $34.09.

Advertising revenue at Fox domestic cable channels grew 6% with double-digit ad revenue gains at the FX Networks, Fox’s regional sports networks and National Geographic Channels. At the same time, lower advertising revenue at the Fox News Channel resulted from negative comparisons due to the absence of the 2012 presidential election.

Cable networks' affiliate revenue was up 10% for its domestic channels and 40% at its international cable channels. Overall cable network programming revenue was up 12% to $2.8 billion. Its “Television” unit revenue was up 8% at $1.05 billion; filmed entertainment was 9% higher to $2.12 billion.

Fox’s Television unit -- the Fox network and its stations -- witnessed 30% higher operating income, mostly from a doubling of retrans consent revenue.

Higher advertising revenue resulted from better rates and increased sports ratings from National Football League viewership. At the same time, there were lower general entertainment ratings -- including “The X Factor," as well as lower political advertising at the TV stations.

Filmed Entertainment’s operating income before depreciation and amortization sank 24% to $328 million due to difficult comparisons of worldwide theatrical box office revenue for “Ice Age: Continental Drift." This year theatrical revenues from “The Wolverine”and “The Heat” grossed over $400 million and $230 million in worldwide box office, respectively .