Interactive advertising revenues for the first time surpassed annual broadcast television sales in 2013, powered by a 6.7 percent rise to a record $42.8B, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Broadcasters chalked up $40.1B in revenues during the past year.

A powerful 17 surge during the last quarter of the year, put interactive spending on top.


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“The news that interactive has outperformed broadcast television should come as no surprise,” said Randall Rothenberg, President and CEO of IAB. “It speaks to the power that digital screens have in reaching and engaging audiences.”

He noted the “staggering growth of mobile is clearly a direct response to how smaller digital screens play an integral role in consumers' lives throughout the day, as well as their critical importance to cross-screen experiences.”

Mobile ads jumped 110 percent for 2013 to hit the $7.1B mark, while digital video climbed 19 percent to $2.8B, search advanced nine percent to $16.9B and display rose seven percent to $12.8B.

PwC conducted the survey. Partner David Silverman said the triple-digit surge in ad revenues for mobile shows consumers are viewing information on-the-go.