SMI: TV Ad Spending Up 9% In January

By ( Broadcasting & Cable )
Published

The television business started the year with a 9% increase in ad revenues during January.

According to research company Standard Media Index, the big broadcast networks were up 15%, with gains of more than 20% at both CBS and NBC, which got a boost from the financial services and auto categories.

Cable TV posted a 9% increase in ad revenue. Cable showed big increases in the alcoholic beverages, restaurants, and toys and video games categories, while spending on broadcast in those categories declined.

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The cable networks racking up the largest gains included Discovery Channel, HGTV, A&E and USA.

SMI said that in several categories, TV ad spending declined while digital spending in those categories showed big gains. Those categories included alcoholic beverages; beauty, grooming and personal care; non-alcoholic beverages and restaurants.

Overall spending on digital was up 15% in the month, driving an 8% increase in total ad spending in SMI’s universe.

SMI’s data comes from spending data from media agencies representing about 60% of all spending, including Vivaki, IPG Mediabrands, Aegis Media and Havas Media.

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.