In Brief: Cable revenue seen still rising in 2006

U.S. cable companies will rake in $33.8 billion in revenue this year, according to one study.

Monterey, Calif.-based Kagan Research said in its annual survey of the industry that the projected sum will mark a 13-percent increase from a year ago. In 2005 revenue reached $29.9 billion, up 12.7 percent from the previous year.

"The results of our study show revenue at most major cable networks has been growing at a rapid clip," said Derek Baine, senior vice president of Kagan Research. "Continuing to lead in terms of total revenue, ESPN took in $3.7 billion in 2005, $2.1 billion more than its nearest competitor. Nickelodeon, TNT, FSN, MTV and USA all topped $1 billion in revenue, while ten other networks had revenue greater than $500 million."

Copyright 2006 by United Press International