(Bloomberg) -- CBS Corp., moving on from a sexual-harassment scandal that toppled its longtime chief, reported better-than-expected earnings after political advertising helped fuel results.
- Profit climbed to $1.24 a share, excluding some items, beating the $1.22 average of analysts' estimates. Sales also came in just ahead of Wall Street projections.
Key Insights
- The results represent a key early win for interim Chief Executive Officer Joe Ianniello, who replaced Leslie Moonves following a sexual harassment scandal in September. He's looking to demonstrate that he can handle the role permanently.
- TV-show licensing and ad sales generated a 19 percent increase in revenue at CBS's entertainment unit. Moonves was considered a talented show picker, and investors are looking for signs that the network's programming remains in good hands.
- With midterm elections coming next week, much of the TV industry is benefiting from a surge in advertising. Needham & Co. analyst Laura Martin projected as much as $250 million in CBS sales this year from political ads.
Market Reaction
- CBS shares gained as much as 1.3 percent to $59.23 in late trading. They had been little changed this year through Thursday's close.
Get More
- CBS also is making headway in streaming, helping offset the decline of pay television. It launched a fifth video streaming service tied to its “Entertainment Tonight” brand this month.
- For more on the results, click here.
- Read the statement here.
To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Palmeri in Los Angeles at cpalmeri1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Turner at nturner7@bloomberg.net
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