TV ad revenue took a dive in April, dropping 27% to $2.7 billion. Ad spending by travel services, retail, automotive, and restaurant industries all decreased significantly in the face of a “perfect storm” of increasing unemployment and stay-at-home orders.
A lack of live sports was another major factor in the decline. Standard Media Index estimates advertising commitments to sports dropped 72% from April 2019. Industry analysts believe the pandemic is likely to accelerate the ongoing shift of ads from TV to digital.
Ad Dollars Lost In Sports
- NBA: $240 million
- NCAA Tournament: $200 million
- NHL: $40 million
- Golf: $30 million
- MLB: $25 million
April Ad Revenue Numbers:
- Broadcast TV dropped 33.4% to $907 million
- Cable TV down 24.8% to $1.66 billion
- Syndicated TV gained 12.1% to $140.2 million
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_25429594_168416385_lowres-e1739674194139.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Dylan Larkin (21) plays the puck and Team Canada forward Nathan MacKinnon (29) defends in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_25429590_168416385_lowres-e1739750143186.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates with his teammates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_25413098_168416385_lowres.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
