Australia: July Commercial Radio Ad Revenue up 19%

Commercial Radio Australia has released the figures for July commercial ad revenue for the five major Australian capital city markets. Despite lockdowns, the revenue was up 19.3% compared to July 2020. Ad revenue totaled $48,571 million in July compared to $40,724 million a year ago.

“The extension of lockdowns has taken some momentum out of the recovery, but it’s encouraging to see growth for radio being sustained at a double-digit level,” said CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner.

The figures, compiled by media data analytics company Milton Data, include agency and direct ad revenue. Milton Data took over the task of industry revenue reporting from Deloitte starting July 1, 2021.

Melbourne stations had a 30% Y/Y increase in ad revenue to $16,408 million in July. Sydney was 11.3% higher at $13,874 million. Brisbane was up 21.6% to $7,654 million, Perth rose 18.4% to $6,296 million and Adelaide increased 8.2% to $4,339 million.

Metropolitan radio ad revenue had rebounded by 72.6% Y/Y in May and by 40.9% in June prior to the most recent COVID outbreaks.

CRA’s “We’re All Ears” marketing campaign launched on July 9. Aimed at driving growth in the SME market, the campaign will air nationally across 260 commercial radio stations through Sept. 2.