SYDNEY: Radio advertising Down Under reported a 1.4% increase to A$599.6 million ($467.9m; €362.5m; £240m) in 2006, according to latest data from industry body Commercial Radio Australia.

The sector posted robust growth in most Oz cities, with the exception of Sydney, which saw radio advertising slip 5% compared with 2005. However, its radio stations still attracted A$216m worth of ads last year.

CRA ceo Joan Warner said the data, compiled by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, showed listeners were still tuning in to the radio despite competition from other media.

She added: "The industry is also hopeful of securing a significant share of political advertising in 2007 with state elections slated for Queensland and NSW, and a federal election likely before the end of the year."

Warner pointed out that commercial radio attracted more than 8.6m listeners in metropolitan areas across the country in 2006 - an audience reach of 77%.

Data sourced from Sydney Morning Herald; additional content by WARC staff