• by Wayne Friedman , November 13, 2014

More evidence of U.S. TV advertising softness comes from Viacom’s recent financial reporting results.

For its fiscal fourth quarter ending Sept. 30, Viacom says U.S. advertising revenues declined 5%, “reflecting ratings challenges.” International advertising revenues added on 33%, helped by the acquisition of U.K.’s Channel 5.

Looking at the bigger picture, worldwide advertising revenues also dipped 2%.

Viacom executives said — as other major TV-media companies have — that the scatter advertising market remained an uncertainty. Still, the company said for the year, there was a company-wide gain of 2% for advertising revenues.

But Viacom still grew revenue from its media networks to $2.66 million— 8% — because of higher affiliate fees. Domestic and worldwide affiliate revenues increased 21% and 22%, respectively.

Stronger growth was seen from Viacom’s filmed entertainment unit — up 12% to $1.36 billion, from theatrical revenues, in particular “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” All this helped offset a 38% decline in home entertainment revenues due to fewer releases.

Operating income for its units witness Viacom’s media networks growing 5% to $1.09 billion with filmed entertainment down 27% to $213 million. Viacom’s total revenues were up 9% to $3.9 billion, with operating income gaining 5% to $1.17 million, with net earnings down 9% to $732 million.