TV's ad revenue stream faces crosscurrents

Economic effects from Japan's disasters and a weak job market have helped put the brakes on the year's strong start for media firms.

November 15 - Los Angeles Times
By Meg James

A year that began with a bang was interrupted by a quake, and now is ending with a whimper. Next year is projected to be better — but not for everybody.
 
The March earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which put a months-long halt to automobile production, combined with a moribund job market and a steady drumbeat of bad economic news to slam the brakes on television advertising sales.
 
Early in 2011, economists predicted that TV advertising revenue in the U.S. would increase 6% this year to an all-time high. But during the summer the TV ad market cooled considerably, with the pace of growth slowing to less than 2% for the year. TV ad revenue is expected to end the year at nearly $68 billion — still a record, but the slowdown is a reminder of TV advertising's vulnerability.
 
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