Entertainment One share price rises, bringing home the bacon as profits fly with Peppa Pig plans
The figures
Pre-tax profit at Entertainment One (eOne) shot up 654 per cent to £18.1m in the six months to September, or a more reserved 42 per cent to £39.9m on an adjusted basis.
Revenue rose two per cent to £337.1m.
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Why it's interesting
eOne bought a majority stake in the lucrative cash cow that is kid's TV show Peppa Pig and plans for porcine world domination continue. The company is aiming to double in size by 2020, with further help from its film division after investing in the Mark Gordon Company, maker of Saving Private Ryan and Grey's Anatomy.
What eOne said
"Peppa Pig continues to deliver strong cash flows and our acquisition of a further stake in the property gives eOne enhanced control over the development of the brand as we continue on our journey to double its retail sales by growing existing markets and developing new markets."
"Great content is at the heart of Entertainment One – our pipeline for the second half of the year and next financial year is strong and we continue to focus on the premium television series, film and speciality genres which are being demanded by consumers. The entertainment market continues to evolve and our differentiated strength as a producer, owner and distributor of content positions eOne as a key beneficiary of the changes that we are seeing in the landscape, and underpins our long term growth prospects," said chief executive Darren Throop.
In short
The Peppa Pig cash cow is putting money in eOne's – and investors' – piggy banks. Shares were up more than four per cent in early trading.