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Tribune Revenues Down
6.1% in December
» Publishing advertising revenues down 4.5%
» Television revenues down 10.1%
CHICAGO, January
19, 2006 -- Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) today reported its summary
of revenues and newspaper advertising volume for period 12, ended
Dec. 25, 2005. Consolidated revenues for the period were $539
million, down 6.1 percent from last year’s $574 million.
Publishing
revenues in December were $413 million compared to last year’s
$431 million; the timing of the Christmas holiday on Sunday and
the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma in South Florida accounted for
about $6 million of the decline. Advertising revenues decreased
4.5 percent to $333 million, compared with $349 million in December
2004.
- Retail advertising
revenues decreased 5.2 percent as weakness in the department store,
electronics, food and drug and furniture/home furnishings categories
were partially offset by increases in the personal services and
hardware/home improvement categories. Preprint revenues, which
are principally included in retail, were down 4.1 percent, due
primarily to volume declines at Newsday.
- National
advertising revenues declined 9.6 percent, due largely to declines
at the Los Angeles Times. Movie, technology and wireless categories
were down, partially offset by gains in the health care and package
goods categories.
- Classified
advertising revenues rose 2.5 percent due to gains in help wanted
and real estate, which rose 13 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
Automotive classified advertising fell 16 percent. Interactive
revenues, which are primarily included in classified, were $15
million, up 33 percent, due to strength in all categories.
Circulation
revenues were down 3.5 percent primarily due to volume declines
at most of the company’s newspapers and selectively higher
discounting.
Broadcasting
and entertainment group revenues in December decreased 11.9 percent
to $126 million, compared with $143 million last year. Television
revenues declined 10.1 percent as advertising revenue remains
soft in most markets. Weakness in telecom, automotive and food
was partially offset by increases in the financial and education
categories. Radio/entertainment revenues decreased 37.3 percent
primarily due to lower syndication revenues at Tribune Entertainment.
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CONTACTS:
» Media Contacts:
Gary Weitman
gweitman@tribune.com
312/222-3394
» Investor Contacts:
Ruthellyn Musil
rmusil@tribune.com
312/222-3787 |
