• by Wayne Friedman , October 15, 2010

NBC Universal posted some mixed to good financial numbers, one of its last results under the control of its parent General Electric.

While revenue was flat at $4.1 billion in the third quarter, segment profit sank 15% to $625 million due to a year-ago gain when NBC booked an improved ownership stake in A&E Networks. NBC co-owns A&E with Hearst and Disney.

Still, on a continuing operating basis, "our profit was up 32% versus last year (or 5% excluding the impact of charges taken by certain divisions in the third quarter last year)," per an email from outgoing NBC Universal President/CEO Jeff Zucker sent to employees on Friday.

He added: "Given that the economy, although improving, is still far from robust, these are excellent results driven by superior execution throughout our operations."

Better still for the company, there were soaring results from its local TV stations. Zucker noted: "Local Media was up an amazing 87%, as increased revenues from a resurging local ad market hit the bottom line. Film op[erating] profit was up 57%, driven by "Despicable Me," which performed well ahead of expectations." NBCU's cable networks' financials had "double-digit" growth; USA Network still dominated in ratings as the leader among all cable networks. CNBC witnessed a 5% improvement in profit versus the previous period.

NBC also had good results from its theme parks. Zucker said they had the best quarter in its history, with operating profit up 59% -- thanks to a new Harry Potter attraction in Orlando and the new King Kong 360 in Hollywood.

Zucker said the company is pushing to complete its transaction to shift majority ownership to Comcast Corp. by the end of the year. For the larger General Electric, profits dropped 18%, which pushed down the company's stock by 4% in mid-day trading.