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NYT Co. Expects Challenging ‘07, Strong Online Rev.

New York Times Co. chief executive Janet Robinson admits the media marketplace has been challenging in 2006, and says she expects it to continue to be so next year.

The company plans to cut costs and juggle its portfolio of properties to weather the challenge, writes Editor & Publisher. When asked if that juggling of property includes a revisit of its decision not to sell The Boston Globe, which former GE executive Jack Welch is hoping to purchase, spokeswoman Catherine Mathis said that all properties are reviewed on an ongoing basis “to make sure they are meeting their financial targets and that they continue to be a strategic fit.’‘

The company expects a 30 percent growth of internet revenue next year, along with an additional $12 million in print circulation revenue from its decision to raise the newsstand price of its Northeast edition of the Sunday Times and its four percent hike in home-delivery rates.

November advertising revenue declined 3.8 percent, while total company revenue, excluding TV stations up for sale, declined 1.7 percent, according to the article. Ad sales at the New England Media Group, led by The Boston Globe, slid 11 percent, while ad sales at the flagship New York Times slid 4.2 percent. Revenues from online businesses such as About.com should bring in about $270 million in revenue in 2006.