Journal Communications reported a 2% dip in second quarter revenue for its broadcasting division this week. The Milwaukee-based company, which through Journal Broadcast Group operates 14 stations, announced $28.7 million in revenue from its TV properties, compared to $29.3 million for Q2 last year.
Journal is attributing the decrease in revenue to a decline in political and issue advertising. Excluding political and issue advertising, revenue from its TV stations actually increased 1.3% for the quarter.
While local advertising increased 1.4%, national advertising fell by 9.5%–a dip that the company says is primarily due to a decrease in automotive advertising.
“In the second quarter, Journal Communications saw mixed results in this challenging operating environment,” reported Steven Smith, Journal’s CEO.