Metro radio ad revenue up 4.6% in December half

Metropolitan commercial radio stations have reported a growth in advertising revenue of 4.62% to $390.821 million for the first half of the 2015/16 financial year, according to figures sourced by Deloitte and released today by industry body Commercial Radio Australia (CRA).

For the six month period ending December 2015, advertising revenue for Sydney stations reached $119.627 million, 4.06% higher than the same period a year ago.  Melbourne was up 3.75% (to $119.243 million), Brisbane was up 2.37% (to $61.014 million), Adelaide rose by 11.84% (to $36.847 million) and Perth grew by 5.80% (to $54.089 million).

Says Joan Warner, chief executive officer, CRA: “While advertising revenue was slightly softer in December, the overall performance for the first half of 2015/16 has been positive and reflects how well radio has adapted to structural change and subdued economic conditions.”

In the month of December 2015, commercial radio advertising revenue for the five capital city markets was down slightly by 0.51% to $55.116 million, compared to December 2014.

Adelaide was the strongest performer in a mixed market in the month of December, with ad revenue up 5.81% to $5.305 million. Sydney declined by 1.80% to $16.705 million, while Melbourne was up 0.10% to $16.448 million.  Brisbane was down 2.41% to $8.764 million, and Perth was 0.86% lower at $7.893 million.

The Deloitte figures report actual revenue received by metropolitan commercial radio stations and include all metropolitan agency and direct revenue.