The box-office hit Deadpool, about an invincible superhero, helped 21st Century Fox to better than expected quarterly revenues, overcoming adverse foreign currency movements.
The company reported gains in advertising revenues in its cable network programming and television unit. It highlighted the success of its cable channel FX, which delivered the year’s most watched new cable show with The People v. OJ Simpson and of new sports programmes in India.
Revenue rose 6 per cent to $7.23 billion in the three months to March 31, while adjusted net income edged up 2 per cent to $907 million.
Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, executive chairmen, said that in “delivering its second strongest quarterly earnings ever” the film studio broke global box office records and expanded a global franchise with Deadpool, which has grossed more than $760 million.
Rupert Murdoch is executive chairman of News Corp, owner of The Times.