• by Wayne Friedman , March 6, 2015

Advertising revenues grew 13% to $381.4 million, with political advertising revenue gains of about $49.4 million. Core advertising slipped 2.4%, or $7.7 million.

For its fiscal 2014 year advertising as a whole, revenues were up 3.3% to $1.34 billion, with increases in political advertising revenues of about $74.4 million. Core advertising sank 3.3% or $40.2 million.

Local TV station retransmission fees were up 68% to $58.4 million in fourth-quarter 2014, and 76% for the year at $229.2 million.

Tribune Media’s digital and data business also did well -- largely due to its Gracenote acquisition in January 2014. Fourth-quarter results were $61.2 million (versus $19.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2013) and $174.0 million for its fiscal 2014 year (against $79.2 million in 2013).

Tribune Media, which was spun off from its publishing operations on August 4, 2014, grew its revenues in the fourth quarter by 85% to $553.4 million and by 70% for its full 2014 year to $1.95 million. Operating profit grew nearly threefold in the fourth quarter to $163.4 million and 51% for the full year to $301.1 million.

Midday trading had Tribune Media’s stock up 0.1% to $65.93.