Retransmission, Web to help TV Stations Rebound

SNL Kagan says television station ad revenue slipped 17% this year, but is poised to recover next year, with $18.5 billion in revenue forecasted. That represents a 5.2% gain from 2009's forecasted $17.6 billion. But Kagan emphasized the importance of non-traditional revenue, such as cash from retransmission consent deals and the Web. Retransmission revenues topped $500 million in 2008 and are projected to grow to $738.7 million in 2009, crossing the billion-dollar threshold by 2011. Kagan also estimates that stations' online revenues will eclipse $1 billion by 2012.