Wednesday, March 22, 2006

A little more hard info is out today -- courtesy of the New York Times Co. -- about the financial situation at the company's New England Media Group, which includes the Globe. In a report on how Feb. 2006 ad revenues stacked up to the same month last year, the company reported that revenues at the New York Times Media Group were up 3.3 percent and jumped 5.9 percent in the Regional Media Group.

New England Media Group - Advertising revenues for the New England Media Group decreased 12.0%. National advertising revenues decreased on softness in national automotive, travel, telecommunications, entertainment and financial services advertising. Retail advertising revenues decreased primarily due to the consolidation of the group's two largest department store advertisers. Classified advertising revenues were lower due to softer automotive and help-wanted advertising.

"In February performance varied across the News Media Group," said Janet L. Robinson, president and CEO. "While The New York Times Media Group and the Regional Media Group posted gains, the New England Media Group's print advertising continued to be adversely affected by consolidation among its advertisers and spotty economic growth in the greater Boston market."