Scripps Networks Interactive, home of Food Network, HGTV and others, witnessed 14% gain in profit in the third quarter, and current double-digit pricing growth in fourth-quarter scatter advertising sales.

Net earnings were $65.3 million, up from $57.3 million. Revenue was virtually flat at $364.5 million.

Advertising revenue for Scripps Networks' television networks rose 4.3% to $326 million.

The scatter advertising for Scripps continues to be "comfortably" ahead of upfront pricing, says Joe NeCastro, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Scripps Networks Interactive, with pricing in the mid to high teens in the fourth-quarter market.

Although selling less upfront inventory, overall upfront volume was about the same versus the upfront sales in 2008. That's due to the rising inventory from improved ratings. Scripps sold around 50% of its inventory during the upfront.

Scripps says its direct-response business -- one of its biggest categories -- had been building back from low levels in the first quarter.

Fourth-quarter business in 2009 is back at the levels of 2008.

Food Network's audience is up 32% versus a year ago with a 35% gain in prime time among young 18-34 viewers.

On the continued success of Food Network, Scripps has already announced that it will be launching the Cooking Channel -- replacing the 55-million-subscriber Fine Living network. Food Network Magazine recently launched with partner Hearst magazine group with a strong 975,000 subscribers base.

Scripps' biggest revenue producer continues to be HGTV, now at $153 million for the period. Food Network is at $119 million; DIY Network is at $17.7 million; Fine Living network is at $11.2 million; and Great American Country at $6.4 million.

The company says affiliate fees came in somewhat higher than expected: up 16%. Scripps' digital businesses went in the other direction, with a 25% drop in revenue from restructuring efforts. Net profit sank 44%. Its Web sites Shopzilla and uSwitch had a drop in advertising dollars.

On Thursday, before Scripps Networks gained a majority 65% stake of the Travel Channel from Cox Communications, which retains 35% stake in a new venture, it was said to be worth $975 million. Travel Channel has 95 million cable subscribers. Scripps expects around $200 million in overall revenue from affiliate fees and advertising revenue for Travel Channel in 2010.

Scripps Networks, which was spun off from E.W. Scripps Co. in 2008, separates E.W. Scripps print businesses from its cable network operations.

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