Profits, revenues, up at Astral

MONTREAL – Astral’s television and out-of-home divisions helped to push up first quarter profits and revenues. For the period ended November 30, 2011, consolidated revenues were $271.1 million, a 2% increase over the $267.1 million recorded last year for the same period. EBITDA grew 1% to $90.4 million, while consolidated net earnings were up 5% to $55.8 million from $53.1 million last year. The Montreal-based company said Thursday that 1% and 3% increases, respectively, in television advertising and subscriber-related revenue contributed to the division’s revenue of $153.6 million, a 3% increase. Astral added 9,000 new pay-television subscribers for The Movie Network and Super Écran over...