ABC radio network being sold by Disney

LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. said it will sell its 22 ABC radio stations and network to Citadel Broadcasting Corp. in a cash and stock deal valued at $2.7 billion.

The transaction will give Disney shareholders about a 52 percent stake in a new company, called Citadel Communications, which will combine Citadel's stations with Disney's ABC assets.

The deal does not includes Disney's ESPN and Radio Disney network.

The transaction will give Citadel 177 FM stations and 66 AM stations in the country's top markets, making it the nation's third largest radio group. The complex deal is structured to be tax free to Disney shareholders.

Disney also reported higher earnings in its first quarter despite a plunge in profits from its studio division.

The media conglomerate said net income rose to $734 million, or 37 cents per share, in the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with $666 million, or 33 cents per share, in the same period last year.

Revenue rose slightly to $8.854 billion from $8.666 billion in the same quarter last year.

The current quarter includes a one-time gain of $70 million, or 2 cents per share, related to the sale of assets.

The results of 35 cents per share after the one-time gain beat estimates from analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who had expected earnings of 30 cents per share on revenue of $8.791 billion.

Disney's studio profits fell 60 percent during the quarter on lower box office results and home video sales. The quarter suffered from a difficult comparison with last year, which saw the theatrical release of "The Incredibles" and "National Treasure."

The company said it expects higher revenue from the studio next quarter when its theatrical hits "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" and "Chicken Little" are released on DVD.

Profits rose 51 percent at Disney's theme parks on the success of the yearlong promotion marking the 50th anniversary of its Disneyland park in Anaheim. Attendance at the company's two domestic parks and its parks in Tokyo and Paris grew by double digits.

Disney's newest park in Hong Kong saw strong attendance over the Chinese New Year. The park sold out on four consecutive days during the holiday period, the company said.