Dubow: No plans for a company split

That's the headline so far from the Q&A session this morning between company executives and Wall Street analysts after the release of third-quarter results. CEO Craig Dubow was asked about the Scripps and Belo spinoff plans -- and the company's previous position that it would not take that path. "We look at all these and discuss things. But at this time: No, our position has not changed,'' he said.

Other points raised during the call:

• Arizona, California, Nevada and Florida especially dragged down quarterly results because of extra-high losses in real estate-related advertising in those four states.
• Good news: Quarterly online advertising revenue rose more than 16% from a year ago, an improvement from the 12% rate in the first and second quarters.
• Expect more severance-related costs in the fourth quarter, so buyouts and layoffs certainly aren't over.
• Consolidation of jobs, and offshoring of such work as ad production, continues to be an option.
• Staff reductions are mostly permanent, although advertising sales positions could be refilled -- if ad revenue picks up.