Traditional media advertising in Australia is expected to slump between 3 percent to 5 percent, experts predicted at the Commercial Economic Advisory Service of Australia in Sydney on Monday, The Australian reported. But although analysts predicted spending will fall, media buyers said advertising clients have not yet given any signs that they will make large cuts in ad spending.

Other than the Internet and pay-TV, media budgets will continue to tighten through the end of the year, cutting growth to 4.8 percent for 2008, said Steve Allen, media analyst for Fusion Strategy. Total spending for the year is expected to be AU$12.13 billion, he said.

In 2009, overall ad spending is expected to continue to decrease, down by about 0.5 percent, to $12.07 billion. Spending on traditional media, including newspapers, magazines, TV and outdoor, will fall the most, at between 3 percent and 4.3 percent. Meanwhile, cinema and radio ad spending will be flat, and online and pay-TV will be up “significantly,” The Australian reported.

“We feel now advertising must suffer a correction,” Allen told The Australian. “It's going to be a difficult year and a bumpy ride.”