Despite growth in the final month, 2009 saw a drop on the final balance for commercial radio.

Figures show annual advertising revenue dropped 2.7% for metropolitan radio stations. All markets fell with the exception of Melbourne:

• Sydney dropped by 6.18% or $194.5 million

• risbane by 2.27% or $100.5 million

• Adelaide by 1.11% or $59.9 million

• Perth by 4.78% or $81.4 million, but

• Melbourne grew 1.32% or $189.9 million

December saw growth across the industry of 4.67%, $54.15 million, following 4% growth in November.

Despite the dollar slip, the audience grew by 146,000 nationally. According to Nielsen, Australians spent almost 17 hours weekly listening to commercial radio, two hours and 24 minutes daily.

“This is positive news for the commercial radio industry and augurs well for 2010. While I will not speculate about advertising revenue forecasts for the upcoming year, the consecutive growth in the last two months of 2009 is good news for the industry and particularly the Sydney market, which recorded growth of 8% in December,” said CEO of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner.