• by Wayne Friedman , March 10, 2021

Lower movie data business and syndicated digital business accounted for Comscore’s 5% decline in revenues for the fourth quarter.

The media-measurement company’s movie data unit revenue hit $7.1 million in the period, versus $10.7 million in the year-ago quarter, as business continued to be hit by ongoing theater closures.

Comscore’s key ratings and planning business also lost ground -- to $63.6 million versus $66.8 million -- due to lower sales of syndicated digital products. But its national and local TV business witnessed higher revenue results.

Confirming preliminary results, Comscore says revenue declined 5% to $90 million in the Q4 period. A quarterly net loss was narrowed to $13.2 million from $21.4 million. For 2020, the company’s revenue was down 8% to $356 million.

In 2021, the company expects revenue to grow between 3% and 5% from better TV, syndicated digital and movie related analytics/reporting business.

Earlier this year, Comscore secured investment deals from Charter Communications, the cable and broadband company, and Qurate Retail and Cerberus Capital Management -- money that will pay down $200 million in long-term debt.