RAB: Digital Revenue Continues To Gain Momentum

Erica Farber

Radio revenues for Q4 and Full-Year 2013 were flat against comparable 2012 periods which had been buoyed with an influx of political spending at the culmination of the presidential campaign. According to the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), final figures were $4.602B and $17.649B respectively.

Spot revenue declined 3% in Q4, in large part due to it being an off year in the political arena. This was offset by strong performances in Digital (+18%), Off-Air (+11%), and Network Comp (+7%). For the total year, Spot was off just 1%, with gains recorded in both Digital (+16%) and Off-Air (+5%); Network ended the year at -4%.

Digital continues to gain momentum among advertisers looking to maximize their use of all Radio platforms," states Erica Farber, President and CEO of RAB. "Based on the recent Borrell Associates forecast of a 22% rise in Digital spending on Radio in 2014, this category is poised to surpass the $1B mark."