Local revenues saw no growth, whilst national spend rose by 4% in May; combined the total radio market was flat. In the year-to-date the figures are slightly stronger, with local sales figures up 1% and national up 5%. The combined total for the first five months of 2003 was up 2% year on year.
Longer-term index To put the intermediate and long-term growth of the US radio industry into perspective, the RAB compares figures to sales in a base year – 1998 – which is indexed to 100.
The local sales index for May was 132.9, the national was 138.7 and the combined index was 133.5. From a year-to-date perspective, the local index was 134.8; national was 139.2 and the combined total was 135.9.
| US May Radio Advertising Revenue Growth And Index Figures |
| |
|
|
|
| May 2003 vs May 2002 |
Calendar Year To Date |
| |
|
|
|
| Local Revenue |
 |
Local Revenue |
|
| All Markets |
0% |
All Markets |
1% |
| Local Sales Index |
132.9 |
Local Sales Index |
134.8 |
| |
|
|
|
| National Revenue |
 |
National Revenue |
 |
| All Markets |
4% |
All Markets |
5% |
| National Sales Index |
138.7 |
National Sales Index |
139.2 |
| |
|
|
|
| Local & National Revenue |
 |
Local & National Revenue |
 |
| All Markets |
0% |
All Markets |
2% |
| Combined Sales Index |
133.5 |
Combined Sales Index |
135.9 |
| |
|
|
|
| Source: US RAB, June 2003 |
“We see a strong, consistent recovery in radio starting in the third quarter. Business activity has stabilised and is accelerating as we move forward through the year,” said Gary Fries, president of the RAB.
