2026-08-24

Almost half of Out of Home advertising revenue goes back into the UK economy

Bauer Media Outdoor
24 August 2026
A Living Roof featuring a solar panel on a sidewalk, during the day, as a bus and pedestrian pass by

A new report from PwC, commissioned by Outsmart, finds the UK Out of Home (OOH) sector contributed £411m to support public services, infrastructure, communities and employees in 2021 – representing 46% of its advertising revenue.

Over the last 14 years, OOH media owners have invested £1.1bn into installing and maintaining public infrastructure including bus shelters, free telecommunications services and even lifesaving defibrillators. OOH media owners directly contributed £188m in 2021 towards public finances through business rates and rent.

In addition, PwC estimate​s​ a further c.£29m helped support charities and communities through donations, heavily discounted or donated media space and staff hours given to charity.

The report, based on a survey of OOH media owners representing 92% of industry revenue, also highlights how the sector has increased the share of renewables to over 90% of electricity consumption whilst innovating to increase​ the​ use of recyclable materials. 

Tim Lumb​,​ Director of Outsmart​,​ comments “This report highlights Out of Home is not just about fantastic advertising, it​​'s also about investing in our relationship with the public by providing highly valued services up and down the country and supporting good causes.”

​​Andy Lobo, Senior Manager at ​PwC​,​ said “The Out of Home sector has long benefitted both advertisers and local communities as demonstrated by the wide range of OOH media owner investments and initiatives - from funding public infrastructure through to celebrating and promoting diversity on advertising screens across the country. It is exciting to see the sector making progress in tackling a broader set of environmental and social challenges too​.​”

The participating media owners are Alight Media, Bay Media, BlowUP Media, Bauer Media Outdoor, Global, JCDecaux UK, Mass Media, Ocean Outdoor and Wildstone. 

Get your copy of the PWC report.

Bauer Media Outdoor

Related articles

Neil Chapman presenting to attendees at Bauer Media Outdoor’s Product Showcase, beside a screen reading “Welcome to the Product Showcase” in partnership with Campaign for Better Transport.

It’s more than just a bus shelter

Bauer Media Outdoor UK brought together local authorities, transport leaders and industry experts at its Sawtry Product Showcase to explore how better bus infrastructure can improve passenger experience, accessibility and community connectivity.

A Bauer Media Outdoor UK representative demonstrates using the new wayfinder unit installed outside Solihull Station, during the day, as local council representatives watch.

Solihull Station welcomes new interactive wayfinding unit

Bauer Media Outdoor UK and Solihull Council partner to deliver Solihull's new wayfinding unit, supporting easier navigation around the borough while creating new opportunities to promote local businesses, services and visitor destinations.

No items found.
No items found.