LOS ANGELES - CBS Corp. posted third-quarter earnings that beat analyst forecasts Thursday as sales of popular shows to other networks and higher subscription fees for pay-TV service Showtime helped overcome an advertising downturn.

The New York-based broadcast network operator, which is controlled by media mogul Sumner Redstone, posted net income of $208 million, reversing a $12.5 billion loss in a year-ago quarter that was marred by impairment charges.

Adjusted for one-time items, the earnings came to 25 cents per share, past analyst expectations for 22 cents per share.

Revenue fell less than 1 percent to $3.35 billion, also beating forecasts of $3.2 billion.

Sales of shows "Medium," "Criminal Minds," "Ghost Whisperer," "Everybody Hates Chris," and "Numb3rs," as well as rate increases for Showtime more than offset a 5 percent drop in advertising sales.

Total television revenue grew 9 percent to $2.27 billion.

Chief Executive Leslie Moonves said the business environment continued to improve.

"So far this year, each quarter has been better than the one before, with the third quarter showing significant improvement over the second, just as we expected," he said.

Shares rose 31 cents, or 2.4 percent, to $13.10 in after-hours trading Thursday following the earnings release, after closing up 89 cents, or 7.5 percent, at $12.79 in the regular session.

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