TV ad market worth $3.4b in 2019-20, -13.7% YOY, Last six months -22%

Broadcasters have revealed the total TV advertising revenue figures for the six and 12 months to June 30, 2020.

The total TV market, which includes metropolitan free-to-air, regional free-to-air, subscription TV and broadcast video on demand (BVOD) and excludes SBS, recorded combined revenue of $3.4 billion for the year to June 2020, which was down 13.7% compared to the same period to June 2019.

In the June half, TV advertising revenues were $1.49 billion, a decrease of 22.1% when compared to the same period ending June 2019.

The total revenue for the metropolitan free-to-air networks was $1.01 billion for the six months to June 2020, down 21.9% compared to the same period last year. For the 12-months, metropolitan free-to-air advertising revenue was $2.33 billion, down 14.1%.

The record-breaking performance of BVOD platforms 7Plus, 9Now, 10 Play and Foxtel Now continues with BVOD revenue up 23.4% to $83 million for the six months to June 30, 2020. BVOD revenue for the total financial year was $170 million, up 32.7% year-on-year.

ThinkTV CEO Kim Portrate said: “The past 12 months have been tough for the media sector with COVID-19 making the last six months more challenging than any of us could have imagined. This is reflected in the latest SMI data which suggests the total advertising market was down 14.7% for the financial year. However, demand for TV advertising is strengthening as we move into the new financial year.”