Metropolitan commercial radio advertising revenue has fallen by around 5% in the month of July to a total of $50.67 million, compared to the same time last year, according to Deloitte’s figures released today by Commercial Radio Australia. The Perth market was hardest hit this month, while Melbourne increased.

According to the 2009 Metropolitan Commercial Radio Advertising Revenue study, as sourced by Deloitte, advertising revenue in the five metropolitan markets for the month of July shows:

Perth suffered the biggest decline, falling 12% to $6.36 million;

Brisbane fell 9% to $7.75 million,

Sydney fell 7.5% to $16.14 million;

Adelaide fell 3.6% to $4.8 million;

Melbourne grew 1.88% to $15.59 million.

Commercial radio revenues overall had a small decrease across the whole 08/09 financial year of around 3% to $633 million.

Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner says the growth in Melbourne was the pleasing result from the figures and highlighted the patchy nature of the advertising market in these tough economic times.

“Radio remains a great advertising medium in tough economic times. And the Australian industry is performing well compared to overseas markets where according to the PWC Outlook for Media and Entertainment released today, global radio advertising fell 6.7% in the financial year ended June 09.

“The industry is working hard to promote its strengths, with its latest advertising campaign called, Radio Advertising, Economically Sound’ which highlights the need to trade through the economic crisis and advertise on radio and is part of our ongoing, multi million dollar brand campaign.

“The switch-on of digital radio over the past few months in the five capitals around Australia should also help in attracting new advertising opportunities in future years.”