• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, September 15, 2005

Based on the RAB Radio Revenue Index of more than 150 markets, radio revenues dipped in July, with grand total combined spot and non-spot dollars dropping 2% over July of last year.  Non-spot business was the only positive for the month, showing gains of 3% this July over last July.

Radio fared better when looking at year-to-date revenue results.  Grand total combined spot and non-spot dollars for January through July increased by 1% over the same seven month from a year ago.  Local and national dollars for the first seven months of 2005 also grew 1% each over that same time period from 2004. 

To put the intermediate and long-term growth of the Radio industry into proper perspective, the Radio Advertising Bureau Ad Sales Index that equates base year 1998 to 100.  The RAB Sales Indexes for July 2005 are: local, 141.2; national 124.9; and total combined local and national, 137.7.  Year-to-date, the RAB Sales Index for January through July of 2005 are: local, 140.4; national, 141.1; and total combined local and national, 140.7.