COMPANY TOWN : News Corp. Income Rises 17% as Key Units Gain

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. reported a 17% rise in profit, after one-time items, boosted by earnings gains in most of its key operations.

The Sydney, Australia-based international media company said earnings in the quarter ended Sept. 30 rose to $235 million.

Profit before one-time items rose 15%. Earnings per share were unchanged.

The company reported “particularly strong” earnings from its U.S. television operations, inserts and its British and Australian newspapers.

Its film unit posted a decline in earnings from the same period a year ago, which had included income from the blockbuster film “Independence Day.”

Operating income from the company’s U.S. operations rose 31.3% to $252.7 million, driven by the television segment, which doubled its income.

The Fox Television Station Group reported higher earnings in all its base stations as well as the addition of 10 stations bought as part of the acquisition of station group and production company New World Communications.

“Strong results at all the FTS stations reflect the cumulative effects of higher FBC [Fox Broadcasting Co.] ratings, a continued healthy advertising climate and market share gains in the majority of the FTS markets,” News Corp. said.