Disney eyes early VOD releases

Disney is eyeing the launch of early video-on-demand windows for a number of its key film and TV titles. This comes as the company posts healthy financial results for the third quarter.

Chief executive Bob Iger said it is experimenting with a number of VOD services. “We are going to become aggressive. We’re experimenting with new windows including that one. It’s too soon to make specific comments or predictions about that, but I think it presents an interesting opportunity. There are people who we believe would like to see movies sooner than later and would pay a premium price to do that.”

The performance of Disney’s international pay TV channels also helped the studio see earninsg rise by 40% to US$1.3 billion and saw revenues hit $10 billion, an increase of 16% from last year.

Iger added: “Our cable channels also performed well during the quarter; Disney Channel continues to command high ratings with successful shows including Phineas and Ferb and Good Luck Charlie. The channel also has continued to expand its international presence.”

However, Iger ignored questions over whether the company would sell its US network ABC. “I don’t have anything new to add to the discussion about the make up of our asset base,” he added.