• by Wayne Friedman , February 23, 2016

U.S. domestic advertising revenues were up 7.4% in the fourth quarter, over-delivering on analysts expectations, which were in the 5% to 6% range.

Many TV network groups have said they have garnered strong near-term, scatter-market advertising sales since the TV season began in September 2015.

Scripps has seen steady advertising revenue gains overall since the fourth quarter of 2014. In that period, it had only a 0.3% gain in ad revenues. The first quarter of 2015 was flat, while the second quarter of 2015 was up 1.2% and the third quarter 2015 gained 5.2%.

Fourth-quarter 2015 for all its networks was up 10% on average when looking at the Nielsen C3 metric (average commercial ratings plus three days of time-shifted viewing) of viewers two years and older. Two of Scripps' biggest networks did well -- HGTV gained 12% and Food Network gained 9%.

Overall, U.S. networks revenues grew 8% to $702 million; with international networks climbing fivefold -- to $163 million from $27 million.

HGTV and Food Network grew 8% and 6%, respectively -- to $250 million and $232 million. Travel was up 3% to $78 million; DIY added 8% to $40 million, and Cooking Channel grew 12% to $36 million.

Digital revenues at Scripps climbed 11% to $42 million.

Overall revenues grew 27% to $852 million, with net income up 25% to $165 million. Midday Tuesday trading of Scripps Network Interactive was up 4.3% to $58.18.