This week, A.H. Belo, which publishes the Dallas Morning News among other newspapers, reported that total revenues declined 3.1% from $115.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 to $112.2 million in the first quarter of 2011.
Like other publishers, this decrease was due primarily to falling ad revenues -- which dropped 5.9% over the same period, including an 11.1% drop in display ad revenue to $24.9 million, and a 10.5% drop in classifieds revenues to $14.1 million. As with other major newspaper publishers, digital revenue was the sole bright spot, with a 5.4% increase to $8.8 million.
Meanwhile, McClatchy Co. revealed plans to lay off about 50 employees at three newspapers, according to mediabistro, including two dozen at the Kansas City Star, 20 at the Raleigh News & Observer and 15 at the Miami Herald. Thirty-five vacant positions at the Miami Herald are also being left unfilled, for total cuts of about 85 positions.
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The news of the McClatchy layoffs comes not long after the company reported weak first-quarter results, with total revenues sinking 9.5% to $303.7 million in the first quarter. They were due, in large part to the continuing decline in ad revenues, which tumbled 11% to $225.1 million over this period.
Nor is McClatchy alone: Gannett Co. saw total revenues sink 3.7% to $1.25 billion in the first quarter, reflecting a 7.3% decline in publishing advertising revenues to $602 million, and The New York Times Co. saw total revenues fall 3.6% to $566.5 million, reflecting a 4.4% drop in total ad revenues to $298.9 million.
At Media General total revenues dropped 6.2% to $148.9 million, again reflecting the weak ad environment.