• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, July 30, 2010

There is more evidence for a tentative recovery in the radio business, with positive second-quarter results reported by Cumulus Media, which controls 345 radio stations in 67 markets around the U.S.

Reflecting a broader trend, Cumulus said revenues and station operating income both increased in the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same quarter last year.

Total broadcast revenues increased 5.6% from $65 million to $68.7 million, while station operating expenses were basically flat with a modest 3% increase to $40.4 million. Cumulus attributed the revenue gains to growth in national accounts, political revenue generated by midterm congressional elections and increases in Internet revenues.

As a result, station operating income increased 9.7% from $26.7 million to $29.3 million. However, net income decreased 12.6% from $14.1 million to $12.3 million. The company paid down its debt by $8.4 million in the second quarter.

The positive results from Cumulus come on the heels of encouraging second-quarter earnings announcements from some other big broadcast radio groups. Beasley said total revenues increased 5.6% to $24.9 million in the second quarter, while Entercom said total revenues increased 4% to $105.8 million.

These individual results follow a promising first quarter for the industry as a whole.

According to the Radio Advertising Bureau, total revenues increased 6% to just under $3.7 billion, due mostly to a 2% increase in local ad revenues to $2.45 billion, and a 19% increase in national revenues to $568 million.