Univision earnings.

As they await bids for their U.S. Spanish-language media empire, executives at Univision Communications Inc. are pointing to a better-than-expected fourth quarter as proof that their franchise is desirable. The company last month announced it was considering "strategic alternatives" that include putting itself on the market.

Los Angeles-based Univision, the largest U.S.-based Spanish-language media company, last week reported a fourth-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates.

Univision and its TeleFutura network have joined the major broadcasters in Nielsen's National Television Index, "providing us with a powerful tool to attract marketers that had previously been slow to advertise in Spanish," said Ray Rodriguez, president.

In a conference call with analysts, Rodriguez said the company would not discuss progress in attracting a buyer beyond prepared comments.

Revenue for the broadcaster rose 11 percent to $514 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31. Net income was $27.4 million, or 8 cents per share, compared with $67.2 million or 19 cents in same period a year ago. Excluding the charges, Univision earned $83.1 million, or 25 cents per share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting a profit of 23 cents a share on revenue of $497 million.