Belo Ad Revenue Soft in Feb.

By: E&P Staff Belo reported on Tuesday that revenue for the newspaper group increased 2% in February compared to the same period last year. Advertising revenue for the group decreased 0.5%.

At The Dallas Morning News, total revenue grew 4.1%. Advertising revenue at the paper declined 1.3%. Retail full-run run of press (ROP) revenue dropped 7.8% with an increase in the entertainment category and decreases in the furniture and computer categories. General ROP revenue was down 9.4%. Classified revenue dropped 6%. Within that category, employment was down 4%, real estate was down 1.5%, and automotive was down 15%.

At The Providence (R.I.) Journal, advertising revenue grew 1.4% while total revenue was down slightly. Classified revenue was up. Retail and general revenue declined.

Advertising revenue at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, Calif., was almost flat, up 0.3%. Classified revenue grew 8.5%, led by real estate, up 12%.

In March, newspaper group ad revenues are expected to increase in the low-single digits. For Q1, Belo anticipates ad revenues will be up in the low-single digits. Advertising revenue at the newspaper group's Web sites is expected to grow 42% to $10 million in Q1.

First quarter earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $.13 to $.15.