MTV, Viacom in upswing

GUIDOS AND GUIDETTES DELIVER: Looks like the cast of Jersey Shore deserved those subsatantial raises. The second-season opener of the hit reality series and cultural phenomenon drew 5.3 million viewers in a 300% jump over the season one premiere—a testament to the reality show’s appeal and to MTV’s renewed vitality. Meanwhile, parent company Viacom said revenue at its cable division, which also includes Comedy Central and Nickelodeon, rose 6% to $2.1 billion in fiscal Q2. U.S. ad sales for the division were up 4% in the quarter, up from 1% in the Q1, as profit jumped 52% to $420 million, or 69 cents a share, compared to a year ago. (8/6a)