'Boston Globe' Circ Drops

By: Jennifer Saba The New York Times Co. reported Wednesday that total advertising revenue for its News Media Group was up 1.7% for Q3 compared to the same period last year. National and retail advertising was "on par with last year" said Janet Robinson, president and CEO of the company, during an earnings call Wednesday morning. Classified advertising was up 4% with gains in help wanted and real estate.

At the New York Times Media Group, advertising revenue was up 2.9% with double-digit gains in the financial services, corporate, banking, and international fashion categories. Soft categories for the group include travel, telecom, advocacy, and studio entertainment. Executives said that the entertainment category is showing strength in Q4.

The company was hit with weak results from the New England Media Group, where advertising revenue was down 2.8%. The group showed declines in classified, down 4% (only real estate showed gains). Retail was down about 3% and national was flat.

Advertising revenue for the Regional Media Group was up 4.3%.

On the circulation front, total circulation revenue for Q3 decreased 1.2%. The New York Times and the Regional Group were flat; circ revenues for the New England Media Group dropped 6% on lower home delivery and single copy sales volume.

For the upcoming September FAS-FAX statement from the Audit Bureau of Circulations, executives said that circulation at the New York Times was up 5,000 copies daily and 2,000 copies Sunday or 0.4% and 0.1%, respectively. Executives said that some growth in national circulation offset the circ declines in the New York City area.

The Boston Globe slipped dramatically with daily circ down 7.7% and Sunday circ down 7% for the September FAS-FAX. The paper is managing down other paid circulation.

During the call, executives stated they are pleased with the progress of TimesSelect and that Maureen Dowd will be doing a "special e-mail" for those members.

One analyst asked if the introduction of the Weekend Journal from the Wall Street Journal was having any affect on the New York Times. Executives said the Saturday paper has not had any impact. However, they are looking into a web width reduction, similar to the Journal's move.