Belo 3Q Rev -5.7%, +3% Without Political

Belo Corp. today reported total revenue of $166 million in the third quarter of 2013, which was $10 million, or 5.7%, lower than the third quarter of 2012 as the company cycled against political revenue, which was $15 million less than the third quarter of 2012, and $13.4 million of non-returning Olympics revenue on the company’s NBC-affiliated television stations in the third quarter of 2012.

Total revenue excluding political in the third quarter of 2013 was 3.1% higher than the third quarter of 2012.

Core spot revenue was down 1.3% with a decrease in national spot of 3% and local spot basically flat. The decline in core spot revenue was primarily due to the non-returning Olympics revenue from the third quarter of 2012.

Major advertising categories that were up in the third quarter of 2013 included travel, automotive and furniture, which were up 13%, 4% and 4%, respectively.

Major advertising categories that were down in the third quarter of 2013 included retail, restaurants and grocery, which were down 11%, 8% and 6%, respectively. 

Political revenue in the third quarter of 2013 totaled $2.6 million, compared to $17.7 million in the third quarter of 2012.

Total spot revenue, including political, was down 11.5% in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2012.

Other revenue, which is comprised primarily of Internet advertising, retransmission revenue, and barter and trade advertising, was up 21% in the third quarter of 2013 compared to a year earlier, including a 20% increase in Internet advertising revenue and a 28% increase in retransmission revenue.

Read the company’s report here.