Cross-ownership, station swaps and partnerships might be in the future for 10 broadcast television stations owned by the E.W. Scripps Co., chief executive Kenneth W. Lowe told investors Monday.

        Speaking at a Salomon Smith Barney media investment conference, Mr. Lowe said federal rule-makers will set the ultimate direction of the company's station group.

        In the short term, the Cincinnati-based company expects $17 million more in political advertising directed to stations in 2002 compared with 2001.

        The firm projects operating losses of $35 million in 2002 for the launch of the Fine Living and the Do It Yourself networks. Companywide revenues for 2001 are projected at $359 million.
       

Delta traffic down by 9.8%

               Delta Air Lines Monday said traffic was down 9.8 percent overall in December compared with the same month the previous year.

        The Atlanta-based airline, the nation's third-largest, also said its planes were 66.2 percent full for the month, compared with 68.1 percent the previous December.

        Delta, which operates its second-largest hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, said it had cut capacity by 7.3 percent during December compared with December 2000.

        Delta's Erlanger-based regional subsidiary Comair, however, saw traffic grow by 0.4 percent and domestic capacity grow by 4.9 percent. Comair's December domestic load factor was 61.0 percent, down from 63.7 percent a year ago.

        — From staff and wire reports

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