Viacom revenue miss adds to concerns over U.S. cable companies

By Anya George Tharakan

(Reuters) - Viacom Inc (NYSE: VIAB) reported weaker-than-expected quarterly revenue, hurt by lower advertising revenue from its U.S. cable TV business as viewers increasingly shift to online streaming services.

The results add to investor concerns over the U.S. cable industry after disappointing numbers from Walt Disney, Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, Discovery Communications Inc and Time Warner Inc this week.

Viacom's shares plunged as much as 18 percent to a near four-year low on Thursday. Shares of Disney, Fox, Discovery and Time Warner also fell for the second straight day.

Concerns over viewers cutting the cord on cable TV and moving online increased on Tuesday when Disney lowered its profit forecast for its cable business.

Viacom's advertising revenue fell 9 percent in its U.S. cable business, the fourth straight quarter of decline.

The company has been hurt by lower Nielsen ratings for some of its shows. Nielsen ratings, based on feedback from viewers, have long been the metric advertisers use to negotiate TV ad rates and make their decisions.

Viacom says that Nielsen ratings do not adequately reflect its viewership as viewers are shifting to digital platforms such as tablets and smartphones for their entertainment fix.

Revenue from Viacom's movie studio business, which includes Paramount Pictures Corp, fell 44 percent to $479 million. The company had benefited in the year-earlier quarter from the release of its blockbuster "Transformers: Age of Extinction".

Viacom's movie slate for the fourth quarter includes "Terminator: Genisys" and "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation", which are expected to drive revenue.

Net profit from continuing operations attributable to Viacom fell 3.3 percent to $591 million, or $1.47 per share, in the third quarter ended June 30.

Excluding items, Viacom earned $1.47 per share.

Revenue fell 10.6 percent to $3.06 billion.

Analysts on average had expected a profit of $1.47 per share and revenue of $3.22 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Viacom's shares were down 12.7 percent at $44.81 in late morning trading on Thursday.

(Editing by Kirti Pandey)

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