Advertising revenue for metro commercial radio stations fell by 6.1 per cent in 2019 to $760.799 million, compared to $810.322 million achieved in 2018, according to data compiled by Deloitte and released by Commercial Radio Australia.
CRA CEO Joan Warner said the drop reflects a “challenging end to the year for radio and the media” as a whole.
She also said the drop reflects “weak business confidence”, while the severity of the bushfire crisis had a “flow-on effect on ad spend”.
December quarter advertising revenue totalled $188.049 million, down 9.4 per cent from the $207.527 million recorded in the same period a year ago.
All markets were lower in the December quarter, with the largest market Melbourne down 10.8 per cent to $60.838 million and Sydney 9.0 per cent lower at $57.119 million.
Brisbane declined 6.5 per cent to $30.164 million, Adelaide was 5.1 per cent down to $16.565 million and Perth was 13.2 per cent lower at $23.362 million.
However, December quarter revenue did show a 3.6 per cent increase over the September quarter.
Warner said broadcasters would continue to work towards a return to growth in 2020, with plans to work with major advertisers and media agencies to promote the value of radio advertising, and on the development of the next stage of the whole of industry automated trading platform RadioMATRIX.
The Deloitte figures report actual revenue received by metropolitan commercial radio stations in the five major capital city markets and include agency and direct ad revenue.
