Vancouver: Steady on, says the director of communications at CanWest Global, in response to recent media reports.

Bruce Leslie says rumors that CanWest is about to acquire Toronto-based Alliance Atlantis Communications are ‘fiction’ and that CanWest is not in the market for any other production companies either.

And as for any imminent concluding deals with Shaw Communications about the assets of Vancouver’s WIC Western International Communications, Leslie says there is nothing new to report.

While the crtc has postponed a May hearing into the division of wic assets, the protracted negotiations continue between the two companies. ‘We have moved it forward,’ says Leslie. ‘We are still committed to the deal.’

Second quarter results (ended Feb. 28), meanwhile, indicate a 27% increase in earnings at CanWest. Net earnings totaled $39.2 million ($0.26 per share) in the second quarter compared to earnings of $30.8 million ($0.21 per share) for the same period last year.

Year-to-date tallies, meanwhile, show a 15% increase in profits. At the end of six months, CanWest recorded net earnings of $90.9 million or ($0.61 per share) compared to $79.0 million ($0.53 per share) for the same period last year.

‘We are pleased with these results during a quarter where advertising markets in general continue to be tentative,’ says Peter Viner, CanWest’s president and ceo.

‘In Australia, revenue continues to grow with the strengthening of the economic climate. In Canada, the strength of both our international and domestic program lineup continues to give us the lead in all major markets.

‘In the key Toronto/Hamilton market, the Global Television Network’s lineup of Canadian shows has placed four in the top five in both the fall and winter ratings periods, including the number one Canadian show, Bob and Margaret, as well as Outer Limits, Traders and PSI Factor.’

Other highlights from the second quarter include $13.4-million proceeds from Ulster Television’s special dividend and the formation of CanWest Entertainment’s international distribution unit headquartered in London, Eng.