Katz Report: National Spot Radio Surged 17.7% in 2010

Katz Radio Group last week reported that national spot radio sales increased 17.7% in 2010 compared to 2009, with significant growth coming in the automotive sector (up 27.4%), telecom (+21.3%), retail (+18.2%), consumer products (+19.9%), and entertainment (+9.7%). The Katz report confirms earlier trends revealed by the Radio Advertising Bureau, which identified national advertising as the top percentage growth area for radio - after digital, that is. In the first nine months of 2010, total national ad sales increased 14% to $1.97 billion, outpacing local - for decades the mainstay of the radio business - which edged up just 3% to $8.46 billion in the same period. In dollar terms, that means national ad spending increased by about $242 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared to a $246 million increase for local ad spending. [Full story: Media Daily News]