Online ad revenues surpass broadcast TV for first time in US history

Online ad revenue in the US has reportedly surpassed broadcast TV sales for the first time ever.

The internet ad revenue generated record revenues of $42.8 billion last year against 40.1 billion dollars generated by TV ads, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau.

A 17 percent increase over 2012's results last year's number helped the online ad industry beat the 40.1 billion dollars in sales seen by traditional TV advertising, Cnet reported.

IAB president and CEO Randall Rothenberg said in a statement that the news that interactive has outperformed broadcast television should come as no surprise.

He said that it speaks to the power that digital screens have in reaching and engaging audiences, adding that in that same vein, 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.