• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, August 27, 2007

Ad dollars at the Tribune Co.'s publishing operations plummeted 10.3% in July, versus the same month a year ago, to $247 million. Its 23-station TV group saw a lesser 3.7% decline.

Total publishing revenues at the company, where shareholders have ratified a move to go private, dropped 8.6% to $319 million. For the company overall, revenues fell 5.9% to $467 million for July.

In publishing, the roiling housing market led to a decline in real-estate advertising of 24%, particularly in Florida, Los Angeles and Chicago. And Internet competition led to an 18.2% drop in classified ads. Other trouble spots included the department store and auto categories.

Interactive revenues in the publishing operations rose 11% to $22 million, accounting for 7% of revenues.

In the broadcasting and entertainment area, revenues were flat at $147 million, with the drop in revenues for the TV stations offset by increases at Tribune Entertainment, which syndicates "American Idol Rewind," and the Chicago Cubs.

The new private equity owners of Tribune have indicated that they plan to sell the Cubs.