The publisher of Total Film and GamesMaster said 4% falls in print advertising had been offset by a 25% increase in online ad revenues.
Meanwhile, the group, which launched monthly knitting title The Knitter at the start of the year, reported a 2% decline in circulation revenue, with steady subscriptions propping up falls at the news-stand.
Total revenues for the three months totalled £41m.
Stevie Spring, chief executive of Future, said the group was "on course to deliver sustainable growth in the mid-term".
All comparisons were with the three months ended 31 December 2007. The most significant foreign currency affecting the group was the US dollar, which strengthened by 23% in the first quarter to 31 December 2008. Spring said 71% of group revenue was generated by its UK business and 29% by its business in the US.
She added: "While of course we're not immune to current challenges, we're mitigating these through the active management of our portfolio and through building in greater cost flexibility.
"We remain confident that we're in the best shape we can be to do deal with whatever challenges lie ahead and are on track to deliver against expectations for the full year."
The group contrasted its better fortunes in the UK with the US, where it admitted it had been hit by more exposure to the advertising market and a decline in PC gaming.
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