Peppa Pig boosts film and TV firm

The film distributor and TV production group Entertainment One moved into the black last year with full-year profits of £6.9m for the 12 months to 31 March, compared with a £31m loss a year ago.

The group saw its revenues rise 30 per cent to £444m, helped by the children's cartoon character Peppa Pig, which generated £100m sales through its merchandising and licensing agreements.

The release of the second Twilight vampire movie, New Moon, which rated as one of the top grossing films in 2009, also boosted Entertainment's One's film division.

Entertainment One said its move from the Alternative Investment Market to the main market of the London Stock Exchange was expected to complete in July. Its shares rose 1p to 62p yesterday.