• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, November 10, 2006

The Scripps cable networks continue to show a significant jump in ad revenues, but even with higher ratings at one of its flagship networks, this year's growth rate has slowed.

The Scripps fleet has seen a 15.5% leap in ad dollars in the first 10 months of 2006 to $686 million--down considerably from the 29% increase it posted a year ago for the same period (to $594.1 million).

That comes despite a prime-time ratings jump so far this season (in the target 25-to-54 demo) at HGTV and flat ratings at its other leading channel, Food Network. Both channels also have experienced slight distribution increases this year to some 91 million homes.

The slower growth rate also comes despite a 13.7% distribution increase for the Great American Country channel, to 44.7 million homes so far this year.

For October, a similar growth slowdown was apparent for Scripps cable: Ad revenues increased this year by 6.6% to $74.1 million, compared to a 32.3% jump for the month a year ago to $69.5 million.

There was some sentiment earlier this year that the cable ad market was slowing, but Scripps offers mixed signals: continued healthy growth, although at a slower pace.