Business
Lee Enterprises reports strong digital growth in the second quarter
Total Digital Revenue(1) totaled $65M (+12% YOY)Digital-only subscribers total 596,000 (+21% YOY) with revenue +39% YOYAmplified Digital® revenue totaled $22M
About this update from Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
[{"type":"text","content":"Total Digital Revenue(1) totaled $65M (+12% YOY)Digital-only subscribers total 596,000 (+21% YOY) with revenue +39% YOYAmplified Digital® revenue totaled $22M in the fiscal quarter (+20% YOY)Reaffirms Adjusted EBITDA(2) guidance for fiscal 2023 DAVENPORT, Iowa, May 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE), a digital-first subscription platform providing high quality, trusted, local news, information and a major platform for advertising in 77 markets, today reported preliminary second quarter fiscal 2023 financial results(3) for the period ended March 26, 2023. “We are encouraged by the solid pace of digital revenue growth in the second fiscal quarter,” said Kevin Mowbray, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our Three Pillar Digital Growth Strategy is driving digital revenue growth, transforming the mix of our top line revenue, and positioning us towards a vibrant, sustainable, and profitable digital model. Total Digital Revenue grew 12% in the quarter, driven by 39% digital subscription revenue growth. We remain steadfast investing in our Three Pillar Digital Growth Strategy that is driving digital revenue growth. At the same time, due to the soft advertising environment, particularly on the print side, we reset our print cost structure, providing an additional $76 million of cost benefit.\" “The strong performance in the quarter has us on track to achieve all of our fiscal year guidance including digital subscriptions, digital revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, and has us well positioned to drive value for our stakeholders,” Mowbray added. Key Second Quarter Highlights: Total operating revenue was $171 million.Total Digital Revenue was $65 million, a 12% increase over the prior year, and represented 38% of our total operating revenue.Digital-only subscription revenue increased 39% in the second quarter compared to the same quarter last year due to a 21% increase in digital-only subscribers and increases in average rates. Digital-only subscribers totaled 596,000 at the end of the March quarter.Digital advertising and marketing services revenue represented 60% of our total advertising revenue and totaled $46 million, a 7% increase over the prior year. Digital marketing services revenue at Amplified Digital® fueled the growth, with quarterly revenue of $22 million, a 20% increase compared to the prior...