Commercial Radio Revenue Drops 20% In FY 2019/20

As expected, commercial radio revenue experienced a significant decline in the 2019/20 financial year, capped off with a 46 per cent slump in the June quarter.

According to new data from Commerical Radio Australia and Deloitte, advertising revenue for Australian metropolitan commercial radio stations totalled $643.046 million for the 2019/20 financial year, down 20.39 per cent from the $807.701 million recorded in the previous year.

Ad revenue fell across all five major capital city markets in the 12 months ended June 30. The Melbourne market was down 20.13 per cent to $209.709 million, Sydney was 21.97 per cent lower to $193.571 million and Brisbane decreased by 18.34 per cent to $101.360 million. Perth radio stations reported $80.246 million in ad revenue (down 22.37 per cent), while revenue for Adelaide stations was 16.41 per cent lower at $58.160 million.

“These results reflect the ongoing challenges resulting from COVID-19 and the flow-on effects that have been widely reported as impacting all local media sectors. Commercial radio stations are operating at a time of global crisis and providing an ongoing and vital service to communities across the country, but unfortunately strong growth in listener numbers has not as yet converted into increased ad revenue,” CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner said.

“We know that radio’s resiliency is matched by its influence and we will carry on working with our members to communicate the value of utilising radio advertising in these difficult times, so advertisers can continue to access radio’s live and local positioning to enhance the reach and power of their messaging.”

Ad revenue for the June quarter totalled $114.104 million, a 46.62 per cent decline from $213.748 million in the same period a year ago.

The Melbourne market was down 46.57 per cent to $37.263 million in the June quarter, Sydney was 48.45 per cent lower to $34.040 million and Brisbane decreased by 48.48 per cent to $16.929 million. Perth radio stations reported $14.806 million in ad revenue (down 43.87 per cent), while revenue for Adelaide stations was 40.92 per cent lower at $11.065 million.

The Deloitte figures report actual revenue received by metropolitan commercial radio stations in the five major capital city markets and include agency and direct advertising revenue.

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