Big broadcaster/publisher Gannett saw profit and revenue
slide last quarter as stronger TV advertising couldn't offset a slump on the
print side early in the year.
Net income fell 24% to $68 million from $90 million, in part
on $20 million in restructuring costs. Revenue eased 2.6% to $1.22 billion from
$1.25 billion.
Broadcasting
revenue of $176 million rose 7.5% on strong advertising demand, the company
said Monday, citing higher auto spending, advertising associated with the Super
Bowl, and an increase of $3.8 million in political ad demand. Gannett owns 23
stations covering 18.2% of the U.S. market.
Retransmission revenue rose 17% to $22.8 million. Television
station digital revenues grew 6.4%.
Based on current trends, Gannett expects the percentage
increase in total television revenues for the current second quarter to be in
the high single digits compared to the 2011 period.
Broadcast operating income of $72.6 million, was up 14.4%.
In publishing, Gannett owns 82 daily papers led by flagship
USA Today. Revenues fell to $874 million from $929 million reflecting soft
advertising demand due in part to the tepid pace of the economic recovery.
January was particularly weak and although activity improved in February and
March it wasn't enough to overcome the slow start to the year, said CEO Gracia
Martore.
Advertising revenues totaled $551.4 million compared to
$601.7 million in the first quarter of 2011. Advertising revenues in the U.S.
were 8.3% lower in the first quarter. At Newsquest, the company's operations in
the UK, advertising revenues declined 6% percent, in local currency.
Digital revenues in the segment rose 12.5%.
According to market reports Gannett has had a few bad years
now. Is TV marketing just not as
successful as it used to be? What will
be the next latest and greatest marketing scheme on TV?
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