In 2018, the Icelandic media revenue amounted to ISK 26,300 million (approx. EUR 206 million), a 7 per cent decline compared to 2017. This is shown in Statistic Iceland’s annual analyses of media revenues on the domestic market.
Since the economic peak of 2007, the total media revenue has decreased by 18 per cent, or almost a fifth, in fixed prices. The largest drop is in advertising revenues, which fell by 30 per cent during the same period, while subscription and users’ fees decreased by 7 per cent (see graph below).
Of the total media revenue in 2018, the television industry accounts for almost half (49%), followed by newspapers (23%). Focusing on the advertising market, newspapers is Iceland’s largest ad medium, accounting for one-third (33%) of ad revenues, followed by television (21%), radio (18%) and advertising on Icelandic websites (14%).
Thus, from a Nordic comparative perspective, the Icelandic ad market exhibits a number of special traits. On the one hand, a larger share of the advertising falls into the hands of newspapers and radio, and on the other hand, the share of online advertising is more limited, compared to its neighbouring Nordic countries.
Media revenue is defined as revenue from users (subscription fees, single-copy sales and pay-per-view, as well as broadcasting fees levied upon all eligible individuals and companies), advertisements and sponsoring. The data does not include foreign media.
The data is derived from the media companies’ information to Fjölmiðlanefnd, the Icelandic Media Commission, from 2011 onwards (previously Statistics Iceland), and annual accounts. In instances when information is missing from media operators, revenues are estimated based on VAT reports and other available information.
Eva Harrie