May 14 (Reuters) – Walt Disney Co’s ABC network is
tapping its blockbuster “Avengers” franchise for a new TV show,
looking to reverse a ratings decline that put it last of the
four largest networks among audiences coveted by advertisers.

The network is so confident in “Marvel’s Agents of
S.H.I.E.L.D.” that it scheduled the show on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
eastern time, where it will face off against TV’s top-rated
scripted show, CBS’ crime juggernaut “NCIS.”

By Liana B. Baker and Lisa Richwine

(Reuters) – Broadcast networks Fox and NBC are turning to proven favorites to lure new viewers next season, with Fox rebooting the defunct Kiefer Sutherland action series “24″ and NBC bringing back Michael J. Fox in a comedy loosely based on his life.

The two networks pitched their TV schedules to advertisers on Monday at the start of the “upfront” selling season, an annual rite when broadcasters try to persuade advertisers to shell out billions of dollars in advance for their new shows.

By Liana B. Baker and Lisa Richwine

(Reuters) – Broadcast networks Fox and NBC are turning to proven favorites to lure new viewers next season, with Fox rebooting the defunct Kiefer Sutherland action series “24″ and NBC bringing back Michael J. Fox in a comedy loosely based on his life.

The two networks pitched their TV schedules to advertisers on Monday at the start of the “upfront” selling season, an annual rite when broadcasters try to persuade advertisers to shell out billions of dollars in advance for their new shows.

By Lisa Richwine and Chris Michaud

(Reuters) – Tony Stark’s superpowers lifted blockbuster “Iron Man 3″ back to the top of movie charts in the United States and Canada, beating out a strong debut over the weekend for lavish Jazz Age drama “The Great Gatsby.”

Coming off a gigantic opening a week earlier, “Iron Man 3″ commanded $72.5 million in ticket sales from Friday through Sunday in its second weekend. “Gatsby,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio as millionaire Jay Gatsby in the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald tale, earned a strong $51.1 million, according to studio estimates.

By Lisa Richwine and Liana B. Baker

(Reuters) – U.S. broadcast networks head into their biggest ad-selling season this week, competing with streaming services like Netflix, battling online players for ad dollars, and fending off hits starring zombies and duck hunters on cable.

The increased competition will force ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC to settle for their lowest average rate hikes in three years during the “upfront” selling season, Wall Street analysts say.

By Lisa Richwine

(Reuters) – Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp reported quarterly earnings that beat Wall Street expectations, aided by growth at its cable networks, and said it is on track to split off its slow-growing publishing business by the end of June.

Its revenue rose 14 percent from a year earlier to $9.5 billion in the quarter, ended March 31, News Corp said on Wednesday. The company posted adjusted earnings of 36 cents per share, just beating the 35 cents expected on average by analysts, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Media giant Walt Disney Co reported a 32 percent increase in profit that beat Wall Street expectations, boosted by higher spending and attendance at U.S. theme parks, and the movie box office success of “Oz the Great and Powerful.”

Revenue for the company that operates cable networks, theme parks and a movie studio increased 10 percent to $10.6 billion. At the parks division, revenue gained 14 percent and operating income climbed 73 percent as resorts in Florida and California attracted more visitors and guests spent more.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Superhero sequel “Iron Man 3″ rocketed to the top of U.S. and Canadian box office charts, kicking off Hollywood’s summer movie season with $175.3 million (112.5 million pounds) in weekend ticket sales for the second-biggest film opening of all time.

Combined with international sales, the movie from Walt Disney Co’s Marvel studio brought its global haul to an estimated $680.1 million, Disney said on Sunday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Superhero sequel “Iron Man 3″ rocketed to the top of U.S. and Canadian box office charts, kicking off Hollywood’s summer movie season with $175.3 million in weekend ticket sales for the second-biggest film opening of all time.

Combined with international sales, the movie from Walt Disney Co’s Marvel studio brought its global haul to an estimated $680.1 million, Disney said on Sunday.

NEW YORK, May 5 (Reuters) – Superhero sequel “Iron Man 3″
rocketed to the top of U.S. and Canadian box office charts,
kicking off Hollywood’s summer movie season with $175.3 million
in weekend ticket sales for the second-biggest film opening of
all time.

Combined with international sales, the movie from Walt
Disney Co’s Marvel studio brought its global haul to an
estimated $680.1 million, Disney said on Sunday.