UPDATE 1-Bertelsmann Q3 EBIT up thanks to cost cuts

* Says EBIT up 14 pct at 284 mln eur

* Says sales fall 4.5 pct to 3.6 bln eur

* Says sees good operating cash flow in Q4

(Aadds detail, background)

FRANKFURT, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Germany's Bertelsmann [BERT.UL], hit by a declining ad market and cash-strapped consumers, said strict control on costs had offset a drop in sales and lifted its quarterly operating profit.

Bertelsmann implemented a savings programme in spring 2009, which it said on Wednesday had so far resulted in cost savings of more than 900 million euros.

As a result, third-quarter operating profit rose 14 percent to 284 million euros. Sales dropped 4.5 percent to 3.6 billion euros ($5.39 billion).

The group owns broadcaster RTL Group AUDK.LU, publishers Random House and Gruner+Jahr, Direct Group book unit, and business service unit Arvato and is active in music rights management through its BMG unit.

RTL Group said on Tuesday it saw improved TV advertisement bookings but like many of its peers remained wary on its outlook for the full year.