The depressed ad market put the hurt on CBS Corp. during the most recent quarter, with the company reporting a loss of $55.3 million compared to a profit of $244 million last year.
Revenue declined to $3.2 billion from $3.7 billion.
Sumner Redstone’s conglomerate saw a decline in revenue at each of its units, which include radio, outdoor advertising and book publishing businesses.
Leslie Moonves, the company’s chief executive, said in a statement, “We are confident that the second half of the year will bring improved results due to a strong slate of syndication releases, the effect of cost reductions that were made last year and early signs of an improving local advertising marketplace.”
CBS has has a good TV season, with “The Mentalist” representing one of the very few new shows to have shown stability. Veteran series “NCIS,” and “Two and a Half Men.” are also having strong years.
Other breakdowns:
— Radio revenues were down 29% to $260 million.
— Outdoor revenues decreased 24% to $380 million.
— Interactive revenues rose to $134 million from $53 million.
— Publishing revenues decreased 20% to $161.7.
Redstone’s other holding company, Viacom, last week reported weak profits and earnings. And this week saw a steady stream of bad corporate news, with Disney and Fox reporting massive profit drops.
