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Clear Channel Revenue Up 5% in 2011
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The part of Clear Channel that used to be called its radio
business had slight declines in local and national radio advertising in 2011,
but it grew revenue through other channels.
Parent CC Media Holdings reported financial results for the
fourth quarter and full year. Its Media and Entertainment segment, “CCME,” formerly known as
radio, reported an increase of 4% in revenues, up $118 million; of that, $107
million in growth came from its Metro/Shadow Traffic acquisition. For the year, CCME’s revenue was $2.98
billion.
“The
company experienced growth in its digital radio services revenues, reflecting
improved rates, greater volume and revenues related to its iHeartRadio Music
Festival,” it stated.
“Offsetting these increases were slight declines in local
and national advertising across various markets and advertising categories,
including telecommunication, travel and tourism and, most notably, political
spending.”
(Clear Channel not surprisingly seems to be reflecting the
overall U.S. radio industry in its latest numbers. The Radio Advertising Bureau
reported last week that industry
revenue for the year was up slightly in 2011 thanks to a push from
non-traditional sources like streaming and website ad sales, while industry
spot sales were down a bit.)
The company’s overall revenues increased 5% last year to
$6.16 billion, with OIBDAN up 10%. The latter is a financial statistic that
Clear Channel likes to use because, it says, the statistic provides a link
between profitability and net income.
The company posted a consolidated net loss of $268
million for 2011 compared to a consolidated net loss of $463 million in 2010. CEO
Bob Pittman expressed pleasure with the company’s business performance.
Listing
achievements for the past year, Clear Channel mentioned the relaunch of
iHeartRadio, including custom stations; the
iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas; improved digital radio operations
including the acquisition of music company Thumbplay; the development of the
Strategic Partners and Distribution group and National Programming Platforms
group; and the appointment of Pittman as CEO of CC Media Holdings and Clear
Channel Communications as well as executive chairman of the board of Clear
Channel Outdoor.
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