Scripps, Gray report fourth-quarter revenues

The E.W. Scripps Co. and Gray Television each reported their respective fourth-quarter 2011 revenue this morning, and in both cases, each company saw double-digit overall decreases, but non-political advertising revenue actually climbed.

Scripps, which owns the Evansville Courier & Press and Henderson Gleaner, saw total revenue for the quarter fall by 16% compared to last year, with its overall newspaper division revenue declining by 3.3%.  Television revenue was likewise down, and the addition of the former McGraw-Hill stations (including Indianapolis ABC affiliate WRTV-6) didn't affect overall financial performance for the quarter.

See Scripps' full fourth-quarter report here.

Gray - the owner of Bowling Green, Ky. ABC/Fox/CW affiliate WBKO-13, saw its overall revenue decline by 26% for the quarter compared to the same period in 2010; however, the company did record substantial increases in local, national and internet ad revenue, as well as retransmission consent dollars.

The company also received consulting revenue for its assistance in running stations owned by Young Broadcasting, including WKRN-2 in Nashville.

You can see Gray's full report here.

Scripps to receive NAB Distinguished Service Award

The National Association of Broadcasters announced today that The E.W. Scripps Co. will receive the NAB Distinguished Service Award during the 2012 NAB Show. The award will be accepted by Scripps president and CEO Rich Boehne at the opening keynote session on April 16 in Las Vegas.

"A media pioneer since the 1800s, the Scripps Co. is held in the industry's highest esteem," said NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith. "In recognition of the company's commitment to excellence, innovation and outstanding service to local communities, we are proud to present Scripps with the Distinguished Service Award whose recipients are among broadcasting's most respected leaders."

Each year the NAB Distinguished Service Award recognizes members of the broadcast community who have made significant and lasting contributions to the broadcasting industry. Previous award recipients include Michael J. Fox, Mary Tyler Moore, President Ronald Reagan, Edward R. Murrow, Bob Hope, Walter Cronkite, Oprah Winfrey and Charles Osgood, among others.

Read more of this story after the jump.

"Scripps is humbled to receive the most prestigious and coveted honor the broadcasting industry can bestow," said Boehne. "Only one other company in the storied history of the Distinguished Service Award has had the privilege of joining the ranks of the industry's greatest names. On behalf of the Scripps family and the thousands of Scripps employees who constantly find innovative ways to make their communities better places to live, I express our deepest appreciation to the NAB for this remarkable recognition."

The company's portfolio of locally focused media properties includes: 19 TV stations (10 ABC affiliates [including Indianapolis' WRTV], three NBC affiliates, five Azteca America affiliates and one independent); daily and community newspapers in 13 markets (including the Courier & Press in Evansville and the Gleaner in Henderson), and the Washington, D.C.-based Scripps Media Center, home of the Scripps Howard News Service.

Information for this story was provided by the National Association of Broadcasters.