Advertisers pour cash into TV spots at record rate

By SIMON HENDERY

Television advertising revenue jumped 14.7 per cent last year to a record $592 million, the Television Broadcasters Council said yesterday.

During the last quarter of the year the increase was even larger, a rise of 16.5 per cent from a year earlier to $151.1 million.

The council, which represents TVNZ, CanWest, Prime Television and Sky TV, said all members increased their revenues from advertising last year and were reporting strong demand this year.

Last year's performance was due to strong economic growth and stable audiences for television in competition with other media, it said.

The council's executive director, Bruce Wallace, said television served the public well last year and had been rewarded with excellent audiences for local programmes, news and current affairs.

TV viewing levels were stable last year compared with 2002 although there was a small increase in the last six months of the year.

For the December quarter, Nielsen Media Research reported strong spending on television advertising in the DIY, banking and investment, leisure, cosmetics, retail and telecommunications categories.