The ad spend to free-to-air slumped 4.6 per cent to $182.6 million for the month of February according to the latest Standard Media Index data.
Despite February being the launch month of a host of new programs following summer’s sports hiatus Nine appeared the biggest loser taking home 35.5 per cent of the ad revenue booty. That was down from 39.9 per cent from the corresponding month in 2015.
Channel Seven continued where it left off in 2015 with 40.3 per cent revenue share; which was up 1.3 per cent from the year previous. Again, My Kitchen Rules continuing to bring home healthy ratings and revenues for the broadcaster.
Network Ten’s rosy outlook continued too. It snared 24.3 per cent of revenues and was the 12th consecutive month in a row that it had grown its market share.
However, it was worse news for regional free-to-air networks with revenues down 11.3 per cent YOY.
The recent darling of the SMI data – the outdoor industry – continued its remarkable growth with OOH spend surging almost 24 per cent YOY to $72.2 million.
Overall the ad market for February grew two per cent driven largely by increase spends in digital, radio and, of course, the outdoor players.