Journal Communications’ television station revenue was $42.3 million in the first quarter of 2013, an increase of 43.4% on the year-ago quarter. The first quarter revenue increased 7.6% on a same station basis.

While political advertising revenue was down due to an expected decrease in political spending, local advertising revenue increased 36.7% and national advertising revenue (excluding political) increased 50.1%. Local advertising revenue was strong in the automotive category and national advertising revenue was strong in the media and restuarant categories.

Operating earnings from Journal’s stations were $7.1 million, an increase of 84.3%. Operating expenses increased 37.2%, primarily because of increases in network fees and employee-related costs, according to Journal.

Gray Television total revenue was $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2013, a 3% decrease from the year-ago quarter. The decline was “due to the expected decreases in political advertising and consulting revenue, offset, in part, by increased retransmission consent revenue and local and national advertising revenue,” according to Gray.

Local advertising revenue increased 1% to $46.4 million and national advertising revenue increased 3% to $13.4 million. Internet advertising revenue was flat and retransmission revenue increased 14%, according to the company.

In a statement, Gray Television said the company is  “pleased with our operating results for the first quarter of 2013.”

Sinclair Broadcast Group has named Bill Anderson as its new director of News Standards and Practices.

Anderson has been the news director for Local TV owned WTVR in Richmond, VA, since 2008. According to Broadcasting & Cable, he will be based out of Sinclair’s Nashville station WZTV.

WTVR posted a farewell video to Anderson on its website.  You can view it after the jump. Read more

Allbritton Communications Company, the parent company of Politico and several ABC affiliates around the country, is considering a sale of its television stations, Politico’s Dylan Byers reports. In a memo to Politico staffers, chairman and CEO Robert Allbritton said the  potential sale comes with the desire to “stay on the leading edge” of the rapidly changing media business:

As excited as I am about my future and the company’s, it is not an easy decision to contemplate a break from something that is such an important part of our history. I love the television business, and am deeply appreciative of the success I have had in it. I have treasured working with the media professionals at all of our stations, and in recent years, I have especially enjoyed watching the collaboration here in Washington between POLITICO and WJLA / NewsChannel 8. I have always respected the deep connections with communities that our stations have, and am always humbled by the responsibilities—to citizens, to our employees, and to the next generation—that come with ownership. Those responsibilities are what led me to consider a sale now. This industry is in the midst of rapid consolidation and there are some clear advantages that come with increased scale. I want to ensure that our stations are well-positioned to continue their extraordinary success and participate in all of the new prospects for broadcasting going forward.

Allbritton writes he will look to “invest in or launch media companies that follow the POLITICO model of dominating targeted coverage.” Read his full memo here.

Allbritton owns seven stations: WJLA in Washington, D.C.; WHTM in Harrisburg, Pa.; WBMA in Birmingham, Ala.; KATV in Little Rock, Ark.; KTUL in Tulsa; WSET in Roanoke, Va.; and WCIV in Charleston, S.C. The company also owns NewsChannel8, a 24-hour local cable channel in Washington, D.C.

Sinclair Broadcast Group reported net broadcast revenues of $259.2 million in the first quarter of 2013, an increase of 32.5% on the year-ago quarter.

Sinclair’s operating income in the first quarter of 2013 increased to $63.7 million from $59.9 million in the first quarter of 2012. Local net broadcast revenues, which include local time sales, retransmission revenues and other broadcast revenues were up 32.8% for the quarter. National net broadcast revenues were up 31.5%.

“We are excited the Barrington Broadcasting, Fisher Communications and certain of the COX Media Group stations will soon be joining us. We intend to continue analyzing and evaluating opportunities to aquire additional television station assets towards creating greater scale for our operations and  value for our shareholders,” Sinclair president and CEO David Smith said in a statement.

Revenues for Meredith’s Local Media Group rose 10 percent to $85 million in the first quarter of 2013. Operating profit was $24 million compared to $23 million during the year-ago quarter.

“We’re pleased to have delivered another quarter of revenue and operating profit growth,” said Local Media Group president Paul Karpowicz said in a statement.

Non-political advertising revenues were $66 million, a slight decrease on the prior-year period. Political revenues were also down, as is expected in a non-election year. Growth was strong in the automotive, retail and furnishings categories. The company also reported an increase in other revenues and operating expenses due to growth in retransmission revenues.

Belo Corp.’s total revenue grew to $160.3 million in the first quarter of 2012, a 2.8% increase on the year-ago quarter.

Growth in core spot revenue, which was up 2%,  came from strong automotive, retail and telecommunications categories, according to Belo. Political revenue in the first quarter of 2013 declined by $1 million from 2012, which was an election year. Total spot revenue grew 1% compared to the year-ago quarter. Internet advertising grew 22% and retransmission revenue grew 8%.

Dallas-based Belo owns 21 stations in 16 markets.

Media General reported $73.9 million in total revenues for the first quarter of 2013, nearly even with $74.2 million during the year-ago quarter. The company’s operating income increased by 28% to $5.8 million.

Political revenues in the first quarter totaled $507,000, down from $6.2 million during the first quarter of 2012, which was an election year. The loss was offset by a 55% increase in retransmission revenues and an 18% increase in digital revenues.

Virginia-based Media General owns 19 local television stations.

Cox Enterprises has named Bill Hoffman as the successor to current Cox Media Group president Doug Franklin. The move comes after the announcement of a shuffling of top posts that will take place next year.

CMG’s parent company, Cox Enterprises also announced John M. Dyer will be named CEO when current chief executive officer Jimmy W. Hayes retires in April 2014. Dyer will be named chief operating officer of Cox Enterprises effective May 1. Current CMG president Franklin moves into Dyer’s spot after the transition next year.

“Bill is a talented, senior executive who will provide strong leadership, continuity and direction at Cox Media Group,” said Jim Kennedy, chairman of Cox Enterprises. “His innate understanding of the integration of broadcast, print and digital media will help ensure Cox outlets maintain their enviable rankings in a highly-competitive media landscape.” Read more

Gannett Communications’ television revenues totaled $185.5 million for the first quarter of 2013, an increase of 8.5% on the year-ago quarter.

The retransmission revenue at Gannett’s 23 stations increased 58.7% and core advertising revenues increased 2.3%, enough to “more than offset lower advertising associated
with the move of the Super Bowl broadcast to the company’s six CBS stations from its 12 NBC stations,” the company said in a release.

Broadcast segment operating expenses totaled $107.9 million for the quarter, up 4.2%. Reported operating income was $87.3 million, up 15.2%.

“Core advertising growth and a substantial increase in retransmission revenue contributed to improving results in Broadcasting while Digital segment results continued to reflect CareerBuilder’s growing market position,” Gannett president and CEO Gracia Martore said in a statement. “Our improved profitability and revenue growth are also clear signs that our strategy is working.”