Meredith TV Sees Rise In Political, Digital Ads

Meredith’s TV stations posted a 3.5% drop in non-political advertising revenue for its fiscal fourth-quarter period -- with political advertising rising four times that of a year ago.

Nonpolitical advertising was at $90.3 million, with political advertising at $4.5 million. Its “other revenue” segment, under which are retransmission consent fees and digital advertising, rose 31% to $46.4 million. Digital advertising was 13% higher.

Overall TV revenues for the period were up by 9% to $141 million.

For the year, the TV group’s non-political advertising revenues increased 5% to $374 million. TV station 2016 revenues were up 3% to $548 million -- this despite $31 million less of “high-margin political advertising revenues” compared to the prior year, according to the company.

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Looking at the coming fiscal first-quarter 2017 period, the company says its TV group’s revenues are estimated to be 20% higher, with about one-third of total fiscal 2017 political advertising revenues expected to be recorded in the fiscal quarter.

Meredith has 17 TV stations representing 11% of U.S. TV homes.

Meredith’s National Media Group division -- its magazines -- had revenue of $295 million during a period, posting a $109 million operating loss versus a $44 million profits in the same period a year before.

Total fiscal 2016 revenues gained 6% to $527 million -- with print advertising for the year up 3% and digital advertising 16% higher. Circulation revenues increased 5% to $329 million.

Meredith’s print and TV revenues were virtually unchanged $294.6 million versus $295.8 million, with net loss of $90.5 million versus net earnings at $42.6 million in the same period a year ago.

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