Bertelsmann's TV and music businesses drove profits higher

Operating profit before interest and tax was 596m euros ($721m; �406m) in the six months through June from 186m euros a year earlier.

The music and television businesses were the main drivers of growth, recovering from last year's slowdown.

Hits from artists including Dido, Usher and Britney Spears lifted sales, while Spain saw strong advertising growth.

Earlier this year, Bertelsmann merged its music unit with that of Sony, creating Sony BMG.

While costs from the merger may dent earnings in the short-term, the company said it expects the benefits to boost profits going forward.

Music sales across the industry have been hit by a rise in illegal downloading of tracks via the internet and analysts said this explosion in web-based music piracy was one of the factors behind consolidation.

Bertelsmann said that earnings in the first half of last year were unexpectedly low, further boosting this year's rebound.