Sinclair Broadcast Group reported net income of $30.6 million for the third quarter of 2017, down from $50.8 million in the year ago period, as the company was impacted by hurricanes, acquisition-related charges, and the loss of advertisers.
Total revenues declined 3.3 percent to $670.9 million, compared to $693.8 million one year ago. This figure includes $3.1 million in lost revenue attributed to hurricane season and one-time adjustments. Operating income meanwhile was down to $103.4 million, versus $154 million for the third quarter of 2016, including $8.8 million of a one-time transaction and spectrum auction expenses.
CEO Chris Ripley says that the broadcaster continues to make progress striking deals with new virtual MVPDs, adding several new distributors, and noted Sinclair renewed multiple FOX and CBS network affiliation agreements. In August, YouTube TV agreed to carry all of Sinclair’s ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC affiliates in their respective markets as the service launches in those areas. In October, Sony Vue signed on to include Sinclair’s ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliate stations, along with the Tennis Channel on its platform.
“We exceeded our third quarter adjusted operating income expectations previously provided, that excluded the acquisition of Bonten Media which closed in September of this year,” Ripley says in a statement. “Despite challenges in the quarter, including Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the loss of certain technical school advertisers versus last year and mainly transaction-related one-time charges, Sinclair stations continued to deliver. In the quarter, we grew our share of our markets’ revenues, excluding political, versus last year. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, our expectation is for pro forma core advertising revenues, including Bonten, to grow mid-single digit percentage points over the same period last year.”
Sinclair’s media revenues, before barter, dropped 1.7 percent from one year ago to $624.2 million. Political revenues meanwhile, were down sharply to $7.3 million, compared to $45 million last year during the presidential election.
The company says its market share, excluding political, increased by nearly 1 percent year over year.
In a statement, David Smith, executive chairman at Sinclair, focused on ATSC 3.0, the FCC’s deregulatory efforts, and Sinclair’s acquisition of Tribune Media Company, which he expects to close at the beginning of 2018.
“This month, The Federal Communications Commission will be addressing certain deregulatory rulemakings for the television broadcast industry, recognizing that the competitive marketplace has changed and broadcasters actually do compete against everyone for viewers and advertising dollars. Their review also recognizes that the current rules no longer reflect the realities of today’s media landscape and consumer viewing habits. We applaud the FCC’s action to level the playing field, especially in light of emerging technologies and consolidation in the telecom and cable industries,” Smith says. “We also eagerly anticipate the FCC’s approval of ATSC 3.0, ushering in the next generation of broadcast transmission and offering the public advanced nation-wide services and emergency alerting.”