WORLD CUP A TV STEAMROLLER OVERSEAS

2010 is going to turn out to be a much more profitable year for television stations than originally predicted, market researcher SNL Kagan said on Monday. It predicted that revenue for all stations will reach nearly $21 billion — $19.8 billion from advertising and the rest from retransmission consent fees. Last August it predicted $18.5 billion in ad sales. In 2009 ad sales dropped to $17.1 billion, their lowest level since 1995. “While the massive declines experienced by [radio and TV] in 2009 create a favorable year-over-year comparison, increased spending on political and auto advertising, tighter inventory and growing rates are also expected to drive revenues,” Kagan analyst Robin Flynn said. The report was issued ahead of Kagan’s 27th annual TV and Radio Finance Summit, which is scheduled to open in New York on Wednesday.