Strong DVD sales for “Monsters vs. Aliens” and TV production revenue helped boost DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.’s fourth quarter above Wall Street expectations.

The Glendale animation film company late Tuesday reported net income of $43.6 million (50 cents per share), compared with $51.6 million (58 cents) a year earlier. Revenue fell nearly 3 percent to $194 million.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average expected the company to earn 37 cents per share on revenue of nearly $179 million.

“Monsters vs. Aliens,” the company’s only 2009 feature release, contributed $29.1 million of revenue to the quarter from home entertainment and pay-per-view sales. The company also received significant DVD and international pay TV revenue from earlier films, “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “Shrek the Third. Television specials and series, such as “Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space,” added $50.4 million.

“We are thrilled to have delivered double-digit year-over-year growth in 2009 not only amid one of the most challenging economic environments, but also during a year in which we had only one feature film release,” Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg said in a press release.

DreamWorks did not provide specific earnings guidance for 2010, but said it expected results to be driven by box office receipts from two upcoming 3-D releases “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Shrek Forever After.”

Shares were up 33 cents, or less than one percent, to $41.75 in midday trading on the Nasdaq.