Cricket lifts Nine and Ten in December ad revenues, print still weak

Wiltshire

Free-to-air TV enjoyed a big bounce in the December Standard Media Index figures with The Ashes helping Nine to a huge 45.8 per cent share of spend from media agencies in the sector, Ten enjoying 6.2 per cent revenue growth.

Overall the advertising industry grew six per cent in the month, although print continued its steep decline, with newspapers posting a 15% decline in revenues and magazines down 19.7 per cent overall.

However, a discrepancy in a $6.15m booking may mean Nine’s numbers means the revenue of $76.7m for the month was overstated, with rivals Ten describing the report as “meaningless”, adding: “The confusion over the Nine numbers – and the questions that confusion raises – make a mockery of the SMI system.”