Rogers Q1 revenue and earnings rise

Rogers Communications on Monday posted a rise in first quarter earnings and revenue as growth in its wireless phone and cable TV businesses offset a soft media business.

Toronto-based Rogers saw earnings for the three months to March 31 rose 15% to $414 million, on overall revenue rising 3% to $3.02 billion.

Q1 wireless phone revenue was up 3% to $1.76 billion, while the cable division grew its revenue 4% to $861 million.

The media division saw its revenue fall 4% to $341 million.

During the latest quarter, Sportsnet inked a 10-year partnership extension with the Vancouver Canucks, and Rogers Media completed the purchase of the CJNT-TV Montreal and its rebranding as City Montreal.

Rogers said the latest quarter exposed “residual impacts” from the 2012 NHL lockout, as it dealt overall with a a soft advertising market.