Disney Interactive Media recorded a fall in sales and reduced operating losses during the third fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2009.

Sales dropped 20 per cent to $113 million (£66.65m/€78.39m), while operating loss narrowed from $91 million to $75 million (£44.2m/€52m), largely due to decreased marketing and product development costs at Disney Online and at Disney Interactive Studios.

“Lower costs at Disney Interactive Studios were more than offset by a decline in unit sales of self-published videogames at Disney Interactive Studios reflecting the strong performance of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian in the prior-year quarter,” the firm noted in a statement.

Company-wide revenues hit $8.6 billion (£5.1b/€6b), down from $9.24 billion during the same quarter a year ago. Profits also fell, from $1.28 billion to $954 million (£562.7m/€661.8m).

“While a tough global economy impacted our performance in the quarter, we remain encouraged by the relative strength of our business,” said Disney president and CEO Robert Iger. “That strength is the result of Disney’s combination of strong brands, consistent business strategy and the steps we’ve taken to make our businesses more efficient without sacrificing quality.”