• by Wayne Friedman , May 9, 2012

Providence, R.I.-based Lin TV Corp. witnessed stronger local and political ad revenues in the first quarter.

Local revenues, which include net local advertising revenues, retransmission consent fees and TV station Web site revenues, gained 16% to $67.7 million. National spot advertising gained 4% to $23.1 million, and overall advertising sales rose to $104 million from $101.5 million.

Lin says six of the top ten advertising categories increased in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011. Overall core local and national time sales, excluding political sales, improved 6% in the first quarter of 2012.

The automotive category -- typically the largest TV category for any station or network, representing 26% of local and national advertising sales in the first quarter of 2012 -- gained 15% in the first quarter. Automotive's year-ago share of company business was 23%.

As with many TV stations groups, Lin TV witnessed a surge in political advertising -- more than doubling its take over the first quarter of 2011 to $2.9 million compared to $1 million.

The company says 82% of its collection of ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC affiliated stations were either the highest or second-highest-viewed television channels in their local markets.

Interactive TV related business rose 41% higher to $7 million.