Radio revenue flat last year

Chantilly, Va.—Revenue at over-the-air local radio stations totaled $14.1 billion last year, a 0.4% gain over 2010, according to a report released by BIA/Kelsey. “Investing in Radio Market Report” also found online radio revenue increased 15.1% last year, to $439 million.

BIA/Kelsey projected that radio revenue overall will increase to $14.6 billion this year, a gain of 3.5%. Online revenue is anticipated to grow to $505 million this year, a gain of 15.0%.

“Although radio's revenue ascent has been slow since its bottoming in 2009, the industry always picks up steam in an election year and is continuing to prove itself as a valuable local advertising medium, particularly as the integration between over-the-air and online improves,” said Mark Fratrik, VP-chief economist at BIA/Kelsey, in a statement.

Originally posted on: 4/11/12