Entertainment One reports in-line trading at six-month stage

Entertainment One reported that trading had met management´s expectations at the interim stage and that full-year financial performance would meet its own forecasts.

Significantly, the independent library valuation rose from $1.0bn to $1.5bn.

The second half of the financial year would be underpinned by a strong committed film and television slate and operating performance was "on-track" across all its divisions, the company said in a statement.

The owner of the Peppa Pig Franchise forecast highlighted its strong line-up of new shows in the TV segement, including new shows such as Mary Kills People and Ice.

In parallel, the firm continued to roll-out its Peppa Pig brand, the mainstay of its Familiy division, in internationational territories.

Growth for Peppa Pig was in-line with management´s plans.

In Film, the group released a series of higher profile titles in the first half, which took its period-on-period box office totals from $97m in 2015 to $151m in 2016.

Entertainment One expected to release 85 theatrical titles in the first half of 2016, down from 96 during the equivalent period of 2015.