Profits at Astral jump 10%, HBO Go launch on track

MONTREAL – Second quarter profits were up 10% at Astral as the company reported what could be one of its last quarterly reports as a standalone company before being gobbled up by BCE. Consolidated net earnings for the second quarter ended February 29, 2012 were $38.2 million, up from $34.7 million for the same period last year, while consolidated revenues increased slightly to $233.5 million over $232.7 in 2011. EBITDA rose by 3% to $66.0 million from $64.3 year-over-year. The Montreal-based company said Wednesday that 4% and 1% increases, respectively, in television advertising and subscriber-related revenue contributed to the division’s revenue of $140.5...