Peppa Pig and Hunger Games company declares 25% rise in profits and gears up for FTSE 250 entry

The company behind cartoon series Peppa Pig and movie franchise The Hunger Games today declared it will soon be ready to pay a maiden dividend as it gears up for possible entry to the FTSE 250 index.

Entertainment One’s sales rose by a quarter to £629.1 million in the year to March, thanks in part to buying Alliance Films. EOne, which produces and licenses TV shows and films, saw digital leap 36 per cent to £90 million, offsetting falling DVD sales.

“The UK is driven by LoveFilm, Netflix and Sky,” said chief executive Darren Throop. “We believe library is an incredibly valuable asset because all of these consumer platforms need exclusive content.”

Underlying profits rose but slumped 76 per cent on a pre-tax basis to £5.5 million after acquisition costs. EOne used to have its main listing in Canada and has now moved it to the UK.