Tribune revenue slips 1.1% in January

By David B. Wilkerson, MarketWatch
Last Update: 10:10 AM ET Feb 10, 2006

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Tribune Co. said Friday that January revenue fell 1.1% compared to the same month last year, to $472 million.

The Chicago-based newspaper publisher and broadcaster (TRB) said publishing revenue was off 1% at $367 million, but advertising sales edged up 0.2% to $289 million.

Tribune shares edged up 11 cents to $30.10 in early trading.

National ad revenue dropped 6.4%, reflecting a decline in movie-related ads at the company's Los Angeles Times property. Excluding movies, national ads would be up 1.8%.
Retail ad revenue rose 1.4% on strength in hardware and home improvement ads.

Classified ads rose 4.1% fueled by 5% spike in help-wanted listings and a 22% improvement in real estate ads, reflecting industry-wide trends. Automotive classified fell 10%, also in line with the industry rate.

Interactive revenue jumped 35% to $17 million. Most newspaper companies are generating significantly higher online revenue as more readers go to the Internet for classified needs.

Full-run ad volume at the Los Angeles Times declined 4.3%; Chicago Tribune ad volume was down 2.3%, and Newsday was down 0.8%. At the company's other daily newspapers, including The Baltimore Sun, the Orlando Sentinel, The Hartford Courant and others, ad volume rose 5.1%.

At Tribune's broadcasting group, revenue fell 1.2% to $105 million. While movie and education ads improved over the same month last year, auto and packaged goods ads declined.