Tribune Same-Station TV Revenue Up 8%

Tribune Co. today reported its broadcasting revenues were $398.4 million in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 67% or $159.2 million as compared to $239.2 million in the first quarter of 2013. Discounting the contributions of the stations added by Tribune’s purchase of Local TV, which closed at the end of last year, same-station TV station revenue was $398.4 million compared to $369.3 million in the first quarter of 2013. This represents an increase of $29.1 million or 7.9%.

Retransmission consent revenues in the quarter were $55.6 million, compared to $29.6 million in the first quarter of 2013, an increase of $26 million, or 88%.

Advertising revenues increased to $304.3 million in the first quarter of 2014 as compared with $300.6 million in the first quarter of 2013, representing an increase of $3.7 million, or 1.2%.

Political advertising revenues accounted for $1.4 million of this increase.

The company as a whole reported revenue of $852.2 million compared to $705.0 million in the first quarter of 2013, representing an increase of $147.2 million, or 21%. The acquisition of Local TV increased revenues by $144.8 million.