Stations’ Political Ad Bounty Isn't Over Yet

The Democratic race for president may be nearly over, but there are signs its conclusion will kick off a new flurry of political advertising, pushing this year’s record spending even higher. That’s good news for television stations, which are struggling with revenue declines, and it breaks the customary pattern of a political spending lull that normally occurs prior to party conventions. The candidates have strong motivations to step up spending. Republican nominee Sen. John McCain may need to separate himself from the current Republican office holder in the face of Democratic attacks that portray him as a clone of President George W. Bush. And Sen. Barack Obama, who leads in the Democratic race, needs to introduce himself and his policies nationally. Those factors and others are likely to combine to bring an unprecedented airing of presidential advertising throughout the summer, according to Democratic and GOP consultants. Political spending on the 2008 presidential race could top $800 million, up from $650 million in 2004, according to research firm TNS Media Intelligence.
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/05/stations_political_ad_bounty_i.php
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