Gannett Q1 2021 Revenues Decline 18% Compared to Q1 a Year Ago – The newspaper publisher reported that circulation revenues totaled $325.4 million, a decline of 13% YOY. Digital-only subscriptions increased 37% YOY and now total 1.2 million.
Print advertising revenues decreased 25% in the quarter YOY. Digital Marketing Solutions revenue declined 12.7% in the quarter to $102.3 million.
The company is also pursuing subscriptions on USATODAY.com, NFTs and sports betting as the legacy print version of the newspaper winds down after an impressive run. [USA TODAY]
New HBO Limited Series “The White Lotus” Debuts July 11 – From Mike White (HBO’s “Enlightened”), HBO’s six-episode limited series “The White Lotus”, a social satire set at an exclusive Hawaiian resort, debuts Sunday, July 11 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT). The series will air on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.
The series stars Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge and Alexandra Daddario.
Tom Cruise Returns Golden Globes Statues Amid HFPA Controversy – “The backlash began after an L.A. Times report detailing that the organization counted zero Black journalists among its then-87 members. Last week, the HFPA’s membership voted to approve a proposal of reforms aimed at addressing its lack of diversity and other ethics issues, but many in Hollywood, including Time’s Up and a coalition of PR Firms, noted that the reforms do not go far enough.” [THR]
An increase in online gambling ads has been a boon for local TV stations, particularly as many traditional advertisers pulled back or paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Nielsen Ad Intel data released in the March Nielsen Total Audience report, U.S. TV advertising dropped to just over $76 billion last year from just over $84 billion in 2019, with the retail (-22%), auto (-17%) and restaurant (-8%) categories pulling back notably.
Given the sports betting focus of the top advertisers, sports programming is a key way to reach sports bettors. [Nielsen]
