The newspaper and TV company said its pre-tax pre- exceptionals profits rose 11 per cent to 49 million pounds ($81.35 million), near the bottom of analysts' estimates, which ranged from 48.5 --56.3 million pounds.

``However, in the face of economic uncertainty, our core activities are relatively less exposed to downslide risk,'' said Victor Blank, who took over as Mirror's chairman on July 1.

He added in a statement that subscription and ad revenues are now almost evenly split between its businesses, which range from national tabloid The Mirror to regional papers and cable channel Live TV.

Ad revenues rose seven per cent for Mirror in the first half ended in July, while classified ads grew four per cent.

The company also said it was making headway with its development plan for TheSporting Life newspaper and expected to start researching formats in the autumn.

In addition, Mirror predicted that its loss-making National cable channel, Live TV, would make a monthly operating profit by the end of 1999.