Gannett Co., the international media and marketing solutions company, has reported strong fourth quarter financial results. With company revenue growth of 9% and non-GAAP earnings growth of 20 Percent. Worse then expected advertising results meant that shares in Gannett fell more than 5 per cent in midday trading on Monday.
Summary
Total operating revenues for the company were $1.52 billion in the fourth quarter, a 9.4 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter last year. A substantial increase in Broadcasting segment revenues, higher Publishing segment revenues as well as the extra week in the quarter drove the increase.
The increase in Broadcasting segment revenues reflects a record level of political spending in the quarter. Higher circulation revenue drove the increase in the Publishing segment.
Advertising revenues in the publishing segment totaled $657.5 million compared to $670.7 million in the fourth quarter a year ago, a 2.0 percent decline. Excluding the extra week, advertising revenues were 6.5 percent lower.
Total television revenues were 45.7 percent higher and totaled $280.2 million compared to $192.4 million in the fourth quarter last year. The revenue growth was driven by $91.2 million in politically related advertising during the fourth quarter of 2012. First quarter 2013 year-over-year comparisons will be unfavorably impacted by the absence of $5.1 million in political revenue and the move of the Super Bowl from NBC to CBS.
Digital segment operating revenues were $187.2 million compared to $181.5 million in the fourth quarter last year. Solid revenue growth at CareerBuilder drove the increase.
Gracia Martore, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are proud of our strong operating results this quarter with growth in revenue and margin expansion driving strong cash flow. This caps an extremely productive year in which we successfully implemented our strategy to position Gannett for success in the digital era. For the year, we achieved our first year-over-year increase in company-wide revenue since 2006. During the fourth quarter and for the full year, our Broadcasting business delivered record revenue and profitability. Our television stations significantly increased market share this year reflecting the value of their content and format in gaining new viewers while retaining their loyal base. Not to be outdone, local domestic publishing circulation revenue also increased for the third straight quarter driven by the success of our all access content subscription model. We are meeting or exceeding the revenue and operating profit goals we had for the all access content subscription model. Total digital revenue across Gannett increased 29 percent and represented 25 percent of total revenue. Our strategy is gaining momentum, our investments are bearing fruit and we are achieving the results we expected. We enter 2013 with our businesses performing well and poised for even greater success going forward. We remain confident we are well positioned to achieve our goals and to continue delivering on our promise to return increased value to shareholders,” Martore said.
Read the full report here
USA, McLean, VA
Related articles:
- Gannett acquires Rovion Posted on October 26, 2012
- Gannett acquires social media marketing solutions company BLiNQ Media Posted on August 26, 2012
- Gannett buys online sports news site Quickish Posted on June 14, 2012
Fusion Corporate Partners 
You must be logged in to post a comment.