Univision loss widens on ad slump

Univision Communications Inc., the Spanish-language broadcaster taken private last year, posted a wider second-quarter loss Friday, weighed down by an advertising slump.

The net loss expanded to $100.7 million from $19.6 million a year earlier, the New York-based radio and television company said. Sales declined 4.3% to $533.1 million. Excluding major soccer tournaments and political ads, revenue increased 0.4%.

Sales fell amid “challenging economic conditions,” Chief Executive Joe Uva said. Univision reported revenue declines in each major segment of TV, radio and websites. Interest costs declined to $193.9 million from $199.5 million.

Univision was taken private in a $12.3-billion buyout by Madison Dearborn Partners, Providence Equity Partners Inc., TPG Inc., Thomas H. Lee Partners and billionaire Haim Saban.