Broadcast and cable networks are expected to reach $8.75 billion in ad-sales commitments coming out of this year’s upfront market, according to estimates from consulting firm Media Dynamics.

That’s a 4.7 percent increase from last year, which had been slipping over the last two years. With advertising spending for TV networks on a downward slump since 2013 as streaming services continue to woo viewers, the gain marks the highest rate of TV ad spending in three years.

Although the data is only an estimate based on most TV networks completing their upfront negotiations after presenting to advertisers in the spring, analytics say the numbers point to a positive change, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Omnicom Group Chief Executive John Wren called it “modest growth in TV budgets, which is fueling the stronger upfront U.S. TV market.”

Media Dynamics President Ed Papazian also pointed to sponsors’ concerns over ad blockers on digital video sites, and said the gain comes as ad buyers at the upfronts were told demand for commercial spots would be strong in the upcoming TV season.

Advertisers who were previously paying high rates for commercials in the “scatter market,” when spots are sold closer to airtime, instead decided not to hold back, and diverted more funds toward television commitments early on when prices are generally lower.

“A lot of marketers didn’t anticipate the strength in the scatter market over the past nine months and ended up paying significantly higher rates than expected, Jefferies LLC Analyst John Janedis told the WSJ. “This year, some large categories are looking for more certainty in pricing by pulling some of that scatter budget forward into the upfront.”

While 2016 is a welcome change for broadcast and cable networks, experts caution global political and economic issues, such as Brexit, may impact the TV market down the line, while cord cutting continues as streaming services grow more and more popular.

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READ MORE: Wall Street Journal

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