Fisher Communications today announced financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011 as well as for the full-year. The Seattle-based station group emphasized notable growth in core advertising, excluding political.
Making a point not to include the effect of a cyclical decrease in political advertising in announcing its financial results, Fisher reported a 9% increase in net TV revenue, excluding political, for the fourth quarter and an 8% increase in net TV revenue, again excluding political, for the full-year.
Fisher saw a 14% increase in retrans revenue for the fourth quarter as well as a 19% increase in automotive advertising during the period, compared to the final three months of 2010.
“We are very pleased with how our core broadcasting business and digital portfolio performed in 2011, especially the strong results we delivered in the fourth quarter,” Fisher president and CEO Colleen Brown said in a statement. “In 2012, we remain focused on executing our multiplatform approach, which is creating long-term value for our audiences, shareholders and business partners.”
Also included in Fisher’s 2011 results was the sale of Fisher Plaza, the Seattle building where the company and its flagship station KOMO are based. The sale meant gross proceeds of $160 million for the fourth quarter.