Earnings: NYTCO Sees Gains From NYT Media Group But 4Q05 Net Rev Dropped 40 Percent

The New York Times Company’s 4Q05 revenues were “better than expected” — up 3 percent to $931 million — thanks to the “very strong performance of The New York Times Media Group. From president and CEO Janet Robinson via press release. “The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune and NYTimes.com all showed strong advertising gains, resulting in the Group’s advertising revenues growing by nearly 8 percent. New products and enhancements were instrumental in achieving this growth.”

The Regional Media Group turned in a 4-percent ad revenue increase but the New England Media Group, home of the Boston Globe, continues to be a trouble spot with declining ad revenues.

Acquired last March, About.com keeps delivering with revenues of $16.7 million up an estimated 51 percent and an operating profit of $5.2 million for the quarter aided by rate hikes and strong growth in all three rev streams – display, cost-per-click and e-commerce. Robinson said About.com continues to drive cross-traffic to the NYT media sites. Very little color so far about those other digital properties aside from this guidance for 2006: “The Company expects that all of its digital properties will continue to experience very strong revenue growth.”

ClickZ: The company expects the unit to post double-digit revenue and profit growth next year. It will increase ad rates for all digital media.

Press release| Webcast (11 p.m. eastern)

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