Online Ad Revenue Surpasses Newspapers

Ad revenue online grew by 23 per cent between 2009 and 2010 in Canada, totalling some $2.3 billion.

For the first time in Canadian history, online advertising generated more revenue than ads in newspapers in 2010, perhaps meaning news agencies aren't entirely doomed. According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada, companies paid $2.3 billion in 2010 for online ads compared to $2.1 billion for newspaper ads. Television still reigned supreme, picking up $3.4 billion, but if online revenues continue their 23-per-cent-a-year growth rate, they could overtake television before too long. Growth in online video ads also skyrocketed by 85 per cent between 2009-10, while search engine ads made up the biggest segment for all varieties of online ads, bringing in more than $900 million, or 41 per cent of all online revenue.