Commercial radio revenue is down by over $5 million

Commercial radio metropolitan advertising revenue declined by 2.6% to $181.612 million in the March quarter compared to $186.518 million in the same period a year ago, according to data compiled by Deloitte and released today by Commercial Radio Australia.
 
Ad revenues fell slightly across all five major capital city markets in the quarter, in line with softening economic conditions.
 
Melbourne was the largest market, attracting $58.856 million in ad revenue in the March quarter (down 1.37%), followed by Sydney with $56.336 million (down 1.70%).
 
Brisbane commercial radio stations reported a 4.66% decline in revenue to $27.531 million, while Perth was 4.69% lower at $23.183 million and Adelaide was down 3.82% to $15.705 million.
 
CEO of CRA, Joan Warner says, “Weaker business conditions and election uncertainty are impacting on all media sectors. Many advertisers have plans on hold until after the election.”
 
The Deloitte figures report actual revenue received by metropolitan commercial radio stations and include all metropolitan agency and direct revenue.
 
Metropolitan radio ad revenue rose 3.40% to $809.421 million in calendar year 2018.
 
The Deloitte radio ad revenue figures are released quarterly with the June quarter data release due in July. 
 
Both Macquarie Media and HT&E have warned of expected downturns following disappointing trading in the early part of 2019 with Macquarie warning shareholders that underlying full year earnings could fall from between $29 – $32 million to between $27 – $29 million.
 
Just last week HT&E said revenue is approximately 5% behind last year, and despite an improvement in April the first half of 2019 could be 2-3% behind last year.

 
 
 

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