| 
Tribune Revenues Increased
2% in January
Publishing revenues
up 1%
Television revenues
up 7%
CHICAGO, February 19, 2004 --
Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) today reported
its summary of revenues and newspaper advertising volume
for period 1, ended
Feb. 1, 2004. Consolidated revenues for the period were $476
million, up 2 percent from last year’s $467 million.
Publishing revenues in
January were $364 million, 1 percent higher than last year’s
$360 million. Advertising revenues increased 2.0 percent
to $278 million, compared with $273 million in January
2003. Total advertising inches were up 1 percent, while
preprint pieces increased 9 percent.
Retail, national and classified advertising revenues discussed
below include both print and interactive revenues for 2004
and 2003.
- Retail advertising revenues grew
3.8 percent due to strength in home furnishings, electronics,
department stores and other retail, partially offset
by weakness in food. Preprint revenues, which are principally
included in retail, were up 6 percent.
Full run retail linage was flat in the period.
- National advertising
revenues were flat as strength in movies/entertainment, hi-tech and financial
was offset by lower auto manufacturers and travel/resorts.
Full run national volume was down 1 percent.
- Classified advertising
revenues rose 1.5 percent due to gains in auto, help wanted and real
estate, which were up 4 percent, 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
Full run classified volume was down 3 percent in the period.
- Interactive
revenues were $9.7 million, up 40 percent, due to strength in all categories.
Broadcasting and Entertainment group revenues increased
5.0 percent to $112 million, compared with $107 million in
January 2003. Television revenues increased 7.1 percent.
Excluding KPLR-TV, St. Louis and KWBP-TV, Portland, both
acquired in March 2003, television revenues increased 3.2
percent. Radio/Entertainment revenues decreased
22.9 percent primarily due to lower syndicated program sales 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 websites 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
websites complement Tribune’s print and broadcast properties
and extend the company’s nationwide audience. |
