11-5-13
Political comps from 2012 are causing end-of-the-year revenue pain for the radio industry. On Tuesday, Saga Communications reported a revenue increase of 1.6 percent for Q3 but when you back out $1.5 million in political Saga took in last year, that increase jumps to 5.2 percent. Saga wrote $4 million in political business in the 4th quarter of 2012 and as a result CEO Ed Christian is forecasting a mid to high single-digit revenue decrease for Q4 this year. Christian also said his farm networks have been hit with softer revenues and one of his markets is suffering with a sales issue which they are now focusing on like a laser to get resolved.
