DirecTV Group Inc. beat analysts profit estimates in the second quarter on a healthy jump in revenue, despite higher-than-expected operating costs.

The El Segundo satellite TV provider reported net income of $448 million (37 cents per share), a 2 percent slide from $459 million (36 cents) a year earlier. Wall Street’s analysts had projected earnings of 36 cents, according to Thomson Financial.

Revenue rose 17 percent to $4.1 billion also beating analysts’ expectations of $4 billion thanks to the company adding 128,000 new subscribers during the quarter.

DirecTV said that its profit would have been even higher but it was stung by a 22 percent jump in operating costs due to a sharp increase in depreciation and amortization expenses as well as higher broadcast programming fees.

DirecTV is operated by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., but the company has agreed to sell its stake in the satellite TV provider to John Malone’s Liberty Media Group in a deal expected to close this quarter.

Shares were up 8 cents, to $22.01 in afternoon trading Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange.