Univision Loss Grows Despite Revenue Gain

Univision reports that its first quarter net loss grew to $74.1 million from $3.4 million a year ago as expenses and special charges increased.

Net revenue rose 6% to $481.8 million.

"Our first quarter results were strong, driven by the continuing outperformance of our television properties, including our flagship network which rose to #4 in the country beating NBC among adults18-34 in primetime for the entire quarter, said Univision executive VP and COO Randy Falco, a former NBC exec. "We believe Univision is on the verge of a groundswell of greater allocation of ad spend due in part to the U.S. Hispanic population growth - documented by the Census as 43% over the last ten years - and our expanded access to Televisa programming that we can now leverage through traditional cable channels, as well as digital and new media platforms, including major over-the-top distributors."

Operating income at Univision's television units dropped to $166 million from $172.2 million as revenue rose to $407.1 million from $380.1 million.

Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.