Rogers Media magazine ops have a profitable quarter

The Rogers Media division of Rogers Communications Inc., which consists of its magazine publishing and the Toronto Blue Jays, enjoyed a 9.5 per cent growth in the first quarter. Most growth came from the other operating divisions: 20.1 per cent growth at Rogers Wireless; 53.2 per cent at Rogers Cable and Telecom. The quarterly profit was a $60 million turnaround from a loss the same quarter a year ago.

Earnings for the quarter ended March 31 amounted to five cents a share, versus a loss of 17 cents per share a year ago. Operating revenue jumped 28 per cent to $2 billion from $1.58 billion.

Rogers Media's income from advertising and circulation totalled $641.2 million for the year ended December 31 (ads $503.9 million, circ and subs k$137,244). The division's media revenue (not including the Blue Jays baseball club) makes up about 8.5% of the total revenue for Rogers Communications Inc.