 Fox TV's American Idol is one of the highest rated shows in the US |
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp group has thanked rising advertising sales for an increase in profits. Net profits jumped to $820m (�439.5m) - or 26 cents a share - during the third quarter of the year compared with $400m in the same period last year.
Strong advertising at its TV units helped the group to offset a fall in its film and newspaper operations.
The US media group also unveiled plans to double its current share buyback programme from $3bn to $6bn.
It added that the board had backed plans for the firm to repurchase its shares "from time to time".
Under a scheme launched in 2005, News Corp has already bought back $2.5bn in stock.
"This $3 billion step-up clearly reinforces our view that repurchases of News Corporation shares are among the best uses of our cash in today's environment," Mr Murdoch said in a statement.
Viewers boost
Across the business, strong ratings for its Fox TV operations helped buoy advertising sales - helping its television business to grow by 29%.
American Idol, one of America's top rated shows is broadcast on Fox, are the drama series 24 and House.
However, its film operations - which include 20th Century Fox studios - operating profit fell to $225m from $251m a year ago.
But, the group said it expected revenues from the unit to rise in the current quarter boosted by the release of its long-awaited sequel to the animated adventure Ice Age.
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