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Tribune Revenues Increase 1% in November
Publishing revenues
up 1.0%
Television revenues
up 1.9%
CHICAGO,
December 8, 2003
-- Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB)
today reported its summary of revenues and newspaper advertising
volume for period 11, ended Nov. 23, 2003 . Consolidated
revenues for the period were $451 million, up 1.0 percent
from last year's $446 million.
Publishing revenues in November were $330 million, 1.0 percent
higher than last year's $327 million. Advertising revenues
increased 2.0 percent to $258 million, compared with $253
million in November 2002. Total advertising inches were up
1 percent, while preprint pieces increased 5 percent.
Retail, national and classified advertising revenues discussed
below include both print and interactive revenues for 2003
and 2002.
- Retail advertising revenues
fell 0.6 percent due to weakness in food, department
stores and electronics, partially offset by strength
in home furnishings. Preprint revenues, which are principally
included in retail, were up 7 percent. Full run retail
linage was down 7 percent.
- National advertising
revenues increased 6.0 percent due to strength in
movies/entertainment, financial and auto manufacturers,
partially offset by lower hi-tech; full run national volume
was up 6 percent.
- Classified advertising
revenues rose 2.6 percent due to strength in auto
and real estate, which were up 3 percent and 9 percent,
respectively. Help wanted was up 1 percent. Full run classified
volume was flat in the period.
- Interactive revenues
were $8 million, up 27 percent, due to strength
in all categories.
Broadcasting and Entertainment group revenues increased 1.0
percent to $121 million, compared with $119 million in November
2002. Television revenues increased 1.9 percent. Excluding
KPLR-TV, St. Louis and KWBP-TV, Portland , both acquired in
March 2003, television revenues decreased 1.5 percent. Radio/Entertainment
revenues decreased 9.2 percent primarily due to fewer programs
at Tribune Entertainment.
:: :: ::
This press release contains certain
comments that are based largely on the company's current
expectations and are subject to certain risks, trends and
uncertainties. Such comments and statements should be understood
in the context of Tribune's publicly available reports
filed with the SEC, including the most current 10-Q and
10-K that contain a discussion of various factors that
may affect the company's business. These factors could
cause actual future performance to differ materially from
current expectations.
Tribune Company is not responsible for updating the information
contained in this press release beyond the published date,
nor for changes made to this document by wire services or
Internet service providers. More information on Tribune is
available on the Internet at www.tribune.com.
TRIBUNE (NYSE: TRB) is
one of the country's premier media companies, operating
businesses in broadcasting and publishing. It reaches more
than 80 percent of U.S. households and is the only media
organization with television stations, newspapers and Web
sites in the nation's top three markets. In publishing,
Tribune operates 13 leading daily newspapers including
the Los Angeles Times , Chicago Tribune,
Newsday and Spanish-language Hoy , plus a wide
range of targeted publications. The company's broadcasting
group operates 26 television stations; Superstation WGN on
national cable; WGN-AM in Chicago; and the Chicago Cubs baseball
team. Popular news and information Web sites complement Tribune's
print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide
audience. |