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Tribune
Revenues Increased 3% in April
Publishing
revenues up 4.2%
Television
revenues flat
CHICAGO,
May 14, 2004 --
Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) today reported its summary of
revenues and newspaper advertising volume for period 4, ended
April 25, 2004 . Consolidated revenues for the period were
$447 million, up 3 percent from last year's $435 million. Publishing revenues in April were $319 million, 4.2 percent
higher than last year's $306 million. Advertising revenues
increased 6.6 percent to $247 million, compared with $232
million in April 2003. Total advertising inches were up 1
percent, while preprint pieces increased 8 percent.
Retail, national and classified advertising revenues discussed
below include both print and interactive revenues for 2004
and 2003.
- Retail advertising revenues grew 3.2 percent
due to strength in the food, home furnishings, and other
retail categories, partially offset by weakness in department
stores and electronics. Preprint revenues, which are
principally included in retail, were up 5 percent. Full
run retail linage was flat in the period.
- National advertising revenues rose 12.7
percent as strength in the financial, travel/resorts, movies/entertainment
and auto manufacturers categories was offset by lower
hi-tech advertising. Full run national volume was up 5
percent.
- Classified advertising revenues rose 6.6
percent due to gains in help wanted and real estate, which
were up 19 percent and 3 percent, respectively. Auto classified
advertising fell 1 percent. Full run classified volume
was down 1 percent in the period. Interactive revenues,
which are primarily included in classified, were $9 million,
up 44 percent, due to strength in all categories.
Broadcasting and Entertainment group revenues in April were
flat at $129 million. Television revenues were $107 million,
even with the same period last year. Television advertising
revenue decreased 1.1 percent against strong comps, with
weakness in the movie and food categories, partially offset
by increases in fast food, telecom and financial. Second
quarter TV ad revenues are pacing up in the low-single digits.
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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 14 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. |