Combined advertising revenues for ABC, CBS and NBC were down 2.07 percent to $2.88 billion in the first quarter of 2005, from $2.94 billion in the first quarter of 2004, according to the Broadcast Cable Financial Management Association’s report on figures compiled by Ernst & Young.

The prime-time daypart was up nearly 4 percent and nearly $61 million over last year’s results for the same period. The morning daypart and news categories each rose by more than 12 percent. The children’s category declined by 17 percent and the late-night and daytime dayparts declined slightly.

The sports category was down by more than 21 percent and nearly $148 million compared with first-quarter results for 2004.

“While not having the Super Bowl on one of the three networks is a major factor affecting results for 2005 when compared with 2004, results in the sports category are also down when compared with earlier years,” said Mary Collins, president and CEO of BCFM, in a statement. “All other categories gained over a two-year period.”