The Television Bureau of Advertising holds its annual autumn forecasting conference in New York today at a time when there are encouraging signs of growth in the spot TV market.
Comparisons with 2002 were expected to be difficult because of the boost given to US TV revenues by the Winter Olympics and the political season. However, in spite of the sluggish economy and the war in Iraq, advertising revenues were up by 2.1% in the first half of 2003 (see
US Television Revenues Nudge Up 2.1% In H1).
New figures from Nielsen Monitor-Plus show that spot TV remained popular in July with spending up by 8.1% year on year to $1.5 billion. Expenditure in the year-to-date was up by 5% to $11.1 billion.
Spending levels are expected to remain healthy for the rest of 2003 with real recovery to come in 2004 as a result of increased political spending, the summer Olympics and a general economic upturn.
