Television Advertising breaks records

New Zealand Television Broadcasters' Council

MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 27 January 2004

Television Advertising breaks records

Television advertising revenue totalled $591.7 million ($516m in 2002) for the 12 months to 31 December 2003. This is an increase of $75.7 million or 14.7 per cent over the same period in 2002 and breaks last year's record return. Revenue for the quarter ending 31 December 2003 was $176 million compared to $151.1 million in the same quarter in 2002, an increase of $24.9 million or 16.5 per cent.

The New Zealand Television Broadcasters' Council, representing the television broadcast industry, said that the annual increase was the product of strong economic growth and stable audiences for television in competition with other media. The revenue figures are for free to air and pay television.

The NZTBC's Executive Director, Bruce Wallace said that television served the public well in 2003 and was rewarded with excellent audiences for local programmes, news and current affairs in a year which included the Rugby World Cup coverage. Viewing levels for television were stable compared to 2002 with a small rise evident in the last six months of the year particularly amongst household shoppers with children and in Auckland.

Strong rises in spending on television advertising in the December quarter were reported by Nielsen Media Research in the categories of home improvements, banking and investment, leisure/entertainment, cosmetics, retail and telecommunications.

All companies in the NZTBC increased their revenues from advertising in the highly competitive broadcasting sector and are also reporting continuing strong demand in 2004. The NZTBC is made up of the four companies operating national broadcast television channels. They are CanWest New Zealand, Prime Television New Zealand, SKY Network Television and Television New Zealand.

ENDS

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