Weaker Ad Market Expected To Cut Into 4Q Earnings

摘要

A slow ad market at the end of the year will have an impact on the fourth-quarter earnings of the big media companies, analysts say. Media companies starting with Comcast and Viacom reported earnings last week. Others will be reporting results through Feb. 21, when Crown Media and Starz take their turns. Marci Ryvicker, senior analyst at Wells Fargo Securities, said the quarter seemed challenging for media companies because of a slowdown in the national ad market, soft broadcast ratings and tough comparisons with strong political ads in 2012.