Commercial Radio Australia have released figures showing commercial radio enjoyed a growth of 4.65% for the month of March.

The 2013 Metropolitan Commercial Radio Advertising Revenue figures, sourced by Deloitte, show growth in all five metropolitan markets for March 2013:

• Melbourne recorded growth of 7.79% to a total of $18.194 million for the month,
• Perth was up 5.84% to $8.432 million,
• Adelaide was up 3.76% to $5.489 million,
• Sydney was up 3.33% to $18. 067 million, and
• Brisbane was up 1.11% to $9.809 million.

However, the advertising downturn continues with total ad revenue taking a 1.02% hit over last nine months. Perth was the only market to increase its revenue in this time, recording a growth of 3.60% to $70.860 million.

In other markets over the past nine months:

• Sydney was down 1.21% to $153.073 million,
• Melbourne was down 0.72% to $151.886 million,
• Adelaide was down 2.10% to $47.097 million, and
• Brisbane was down 4.37% to $79.031million.

Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said the March figures were in line with recent economic figures released last week, which had shown better than expected growth, like retail trade and house building approvals.

“Radio revenue recorded a small rise last month and coupled with these latest figures, is good news for the industry – particularly the Sydney market,” Warner says, “However the market continues to be patchy with some markets stronger than others.”