The impact of the COVID-19 was first felt in the latter weeks of first quarter 2020. This was confirmed by our Cross Platform analysis which reports ad spending in March 2020. The market had a year-over-year decrease of -9%, as fear of the COVID-19 spread, fear of an economic slowdown and an absence of live sports.
SMI: March Economic Market Update – COVID-19 Impact Starts to Bite
![SMI: March Economic Market Update – COVID-19 Impact Starts to Bite](/media/articles/empty_sports_arena_vienna-reyes-Zs_o1IjVPt4-unsplash_m9fqdbe.jpg.550x380_q85_box-69%2C0%2C3387%2C2304_crop.jpg.webp)