Are You Sick of Political Ads on Radio and TV?

[landtuna]

I realize most of this audience relies on ad revenue for sustenance but the number of (repetitive) commercials airing on both radio and TV has become extremely irritating to me and a lot of others.

As usual, Bill Maher hits it on the head when he says the political election season is way too long and its main benefit is revenue to ad agencies, broadcasters and makers of cardboard signs.

If you have a sense of humor his diatribe on this subject (about 17 minutes) can be found here. There is a smattering of adult language so I'd listen without the kids around.

 

[radiofan2023]

I wish there was more fact checking of local & national political ads on the local news, but at least in the KC area that doesn’t seem to happen.

 

[Kelly A]

There are much fewer political ads running, even on TV, than in past presidential election seasons. Granted no longer considered a swing state, last presidential with some down-ballet elections, Florida local TV saw something like $80M in TV ad revenue. So far here in 2024? $6M. As usual, radio didn't see nearly much as compared with the old days.
It appears, at least so far, that a lot more campaign funds are being spent online and on personal appearances, not nearly as much TV and hardly any radio by comparison. Maybe that will change as we get into the last month of campaigning, but I'm kind of surprised considering the claims of record-setting fundraising, that more isn't being spent on TV.
Having been in many corporate budget meetings where local station GMs and SMs are expected to guess what their take on political revenue will be, it's going to be a blue Christmas this year. Talking about traditional media getting a lump of coal in the stocking.
But hey, at least there are guys like you who can bask in the knowledge that traditional media will be in even deeper financial trouble, likely spelling more cutting and losses late this year into next.

 

[Larry]

Being in Philly I am seeing almost nonstop campaign ads on broadcast, cable and to a lesser degree streaming. Usually it seems like spot 1 is for candidate 1, spot 2 is for candidate 2, spot 3 is for candidate 1, spot 4 is for candidate 2, etc. with a few U.S. Senate and local race ads thrown in. I’m also hearing ads on radio but less nonstop (so far).

Interestingly I’ve received a few direct mail pieces in August from one of the presidential candidates. Nothing since but I think August is exceptionally early for direct mail.

 

[b-turner]

I'm sure broadcasters prefer the better rate they can get from advertisers versus political advertisers who get the lowest unit rate charged as mandated by law. That is a simplified statement on 'lowest rate'. On local elections, I've seen my regular advertisers 'bumped' for make goods after election day. Why? We have a limit on the number of commercials hourly. Yes, we could deny anything beyond 'sell out' but if the opposing candidate was able to get all the spots they want because they booked early, you might end up trying to defend your 'sold out' position, costing you more money than you made, if you deny the late arrival's schedule of all the spots he wants to buy.

Political dollars help but they're a pain with the forms, filings and low rates.

I worked a station that refused to do political advertising but they did broadcast forums where all candidates could make their case instead. They networked with a non-profit to host and conduct the forums as we policed the rules. We got lots on compliments on those forums and many comments they were happy to not hear all the candidates slamming their opponent.

 

[kwthom]

Here in southern Arizona, it's terrible as well. Tuna isn't considering the fact that the state is a 'battleground' state.

With that, the increase in spending.

 

[boombox4]

So far I have heard very few on radio, but then I'm in a very blue state. I've heard a couple for governor by the red candidate, not much else.

Nothing national.

Most 'advertising' I've seen is spots on two different social media with candidates begging for money. No real 'political' ads.

 

[nalyem]

No. I’m not sick of political commercials on television or radio….That’s mostly because I don’t watch television and listen to non commercial radio, though😂

 

[radiofan2023]

There are tons of political ads on tv here since the stations cover both Kansas and Missouri. I haven't heard any on the radio stations I listen to, but I don't listen to the talk stations.

 

[bigdonho]

Here is south Florida I have seen/heard no presidential spots. Some local stuff going into the primary.

Why waste money on a state that one side has no chance of winning when there are the purple 6 or 7 states that will decide the election.

 

[gr8oldies]

I'm sure broadcasters prefer the better rate they can get from advertisers versus political advertisers who get the lowest unit rate charged as mandated by law. That is a simplified statement on 'lowest rate'. On local elections, I've seen my regular advertisers 'bumped' for make goods after election day. Why? We have a limit on the number of commercials hourly. Yes, we could deny anything beyond 'sell out' but if the opposing candidate was able to get all the spots they want because they booked early, you might end up trying to defend your 'sold out' position, costing you more money than you made, if you deny the late arrival's schedule of all the spots he wants to buy.

Political dollars help but they're a pain with the forms, filings and low rates.

I worked a station that refused to do political advertising but they did broadcast forums where all candidates could make their case instead. They networked with a non-profit to host and conduct the forums as we policed the rules. We got lots on compliments on those forums and many comments they were happy to not hear all the candidates slamming their opponent.

I've probably mentioned this before, but working at the lone TV station in Lafayette IN in 1992, we had President, Governor, and all the other state and local races, which meant a lot of inventory being bumped. 2 Friday nights in a row, we pre-empted CBS prime time and ran a movie for no other reason than to catch up on inventory.

So far in Tennessee, it's "election? What election?". In our primary private school voucher scammers spent $4.2 million to buy a few seats in a Republican primary. Still makes me sick. The ads themselves were throwing every MAGA talking point in to a blender and stirring, and didn't even address vouchers. "Congressman Snort let illegal aliens into your house".
Other than a few Marsha Blackburn ads, I don't expect to see much other than in markets that border a swing state. We have a gerrymandered supermajority and the Democrats see us as a lost cause,

 

[landtuna]

Here in southern Arizona, it's terrible as well. Tuna isn't considering the fact that the state is a 'battleground' state.

With that, the increase in spending.

Actually, I did. But 4-5 ads by both parties IN A ROW accomplish nothing save irritating viewers/listeners.

I would think there are very few undecided voters left (and probably have been for some time).

 

[Kelly A]

Actually, I did. But 4-5 ads by both parties IN A ROW accomplish nothing save irritating viewers/listeners.

What about bring in revenue to the station, paying salaries and keeping traditional broadcasting alive? Oh, but as long as you're annoyed, none of that matters.

 

[JeremyAndrews]

I hate political ads. But they bring in much needed revenue for broadcast radio, so I basically try to overlook how much I dislike the ads. Whether I disagree with whatever the GOP is pushing, or how awfully produced a Democrat ad is or vice versa, they are equally as bad in general, I just stop and think "This is helping get that signal repaired. This is helping keep this station on. This is helping the webstream stay afloat. This is helping someone stay employed"

 

[davideduardo]

I'm sure broadcasters prefer the better rate they can get from advertisers versus political advertisers who get the lowest unit rate charged as mandated by law. That is a simplified statement on 'lowest rate'. On local elections, I've seen my regular advertisers 'bumped' for make goods after election day. Why? We have a limit on the number of commercials hourly. Yes, we could deny anything beyond 'sell out' but if the opposing candidate was able to get all the spots they want because they booked early, you might end up trying to defend your 'sold out' position, costing you more money than you made, if you deny the late arrival's schedule of all the spots he wants to buy.

My way of keeping regular accounts happy while being in legal compliance during the several decades that I was GM and GSM in Puerto Rico:

We worked with my Washington counsel on a policy that allocated maximum numbers of daily and weekly spots to each campaign, from Governor down the the Commonwealth Senate and House and local Municipality elections. This was circulated to each party's Commonwealth and local HQ offices as well as to all the registered campaign offices. Also notified were all the local ad agencies that might have a political account (and there were over 100 local agencies).

By notifying the agencies, we let them know also that our beloved accounts that we hoped to serve before, during and after the election campaign period would always find availabilities for their campaigns in the best possible hours and dayparts.

One of the benefits of this was that we got on buys we normally might not have gotten and we also saw an increase in the number of spots on each buy. Agencies saw us as the only stations that "respected" their regular clients. There was no negative reaction from the politicians as the idea of "quotas" is a familiar concept to them.

(Note: Puerto Rico is totally part of the US except for not being part of the Presidential elections. We even elect a representative to the House. And there are no FCC exceptions "just for" Puerto Rico)

 

[KenoGuy]

Like Jeremy, I am in SE Wisconsin, which is a HUGE battleground / swing state. The Milwaukee network affiliates are hammering us with not only Presidential ads, but also ads for our hotly-contested Senate race. EVERY commercial break has 2-4 political ads.

The Chicago stations are much lighter on the ads. Illinois is not a swing state.

 

[landtuna]

What about bring in revenue to the station, paying salaries and keeping traditional broadcasting alive? Oh, but as long as you're annoyed, none of that matters.

I addressed that in my original post but that is the same as not choosing to do business with someone (for any reason) and by doing that you are punishing the people working there. Can't be helped.

When I got out of the Navy (Radioman 2/c, E-5) I worked very briefly for a family owned radio station in Northern CA. Quickly I learned that there were/are a bunch of real cheapskates in this industry. Went out and got an education in computers (young industry in the mid-60's) and have been much more satisfied with that choice. I assume everyone here had the same choice but stuck with radio because they liked it. I did too but I like to eat more.

One thing I always wondered regarding broadcasting revenue is whether the individual station would make equal/more/less money without political ads. People here seem to think it is a windfall then others complain there is too much paperwork and the spot revenue is in the lowest tier. If a station already can sell all its inventory why would it take political ads seeing as most people don't like them.

 

[TheBigA]

If a station already can sell all its inventory why would it take political ads seeing as most people don't like them.

Most people don't like ANY advertising, at least that's what I see here. This thread is about political, but there are other threads about too many commercials of any kind. The fact is nobody turns down money. If I walk up to you and hand you $100, will you question my motivation, or just stick it in your pocket? Money is money. Right now, we're seeing that even TV stations are short on cash, and are laying off staff.

The other thing is when you watch TV, not all of those commercials are coming from the local station. Some are coming from the cable company (if you use cable). Some come from a syndicator or network. Some of the station services are provided in exchange for airing commercials. So even if your local station is sold out, you might still see some political ads coming from someplace else.

The thing is political advertising is part of free speech. It's part of what you have to put up with to live in a free country. You served in the military for us to have that right. So these politicians are using their freedom of speech to annoy the hell out of you.

 

[davideduardo]

When I got out of the Navy (Radioman 2/c, E-5) I worked very briefly for a family owned radio station in Northern CA. Quickly I learned that there were/are a bunch of real cheapskates in this industry.

Ever since we saw the FCC financial reports based on each station's annual filing, we learned that... going back to the later 50's... half of all U.S. radio stations have not been profitable. When you are barely breaking even or losing money, it is incumbent on you to be as "cheap" as possible to sustain the operation of your business.

Went out and got an education in computers (young industry in the mid-60's) and have been much more satisfied with that choice. I assume everyone here had the same choice but stuck with radio because they liked it. I did too but I like to eat more.

Some of us found the business to be rewarding and profitable. Just like pro sports, some make it and more don't.

The negative remarks by former employees of radio stations seem to have a high bitterness quotient based on not having "made it". You will note that singers who never got label deals or actors who never got casted also seem to blame the record and film businesses rather than their own skills and personality.

One thing I always wondered regarding broadcasting revenue is whether the individual station would make equal/more/less money without political ads. People here seem to think it is a windfall then others complain there is too much paperwork and the spot revenue is in the lowest tier. If a station already can sell all its inventory why would it take political ads seeing as most people don't like them.

This depends on the station and the local environment.

In some markets, such as the "battleground states", many regular radio accounts just stay off radio from around August to that first week in November. So the market can be as weak as January is. In other markets, it depends on the station and the format... stations that appeal to undecided voters will get more money and those with very old audiences may get none.

 

[JeremyAndrews]

Many of these are PAC ads. A lot of them are not even from a specific candidate. Just a group from that party spending large chunks of money. You can usually tell a PAC ad if it's someone trashing this or that person, and telling people to call them and thank them or call and tell them to do something. An ad from specific candidate from a federal office will always have "I approve this message" at the end. That's an FCC rule. I don't believe the state and local ones have to include "I approve this message" at the end.

Stations do not have to accept PAC ads, they can screen those ads and decide not to air them if they don't agree with them. But generally they don't because it's good money. Some stations opt not to run them at all regardless.

They have to run all political ads from qualified candidates however, as is.

Locally, Civic Media (They own both left-leaning Talk and Music stations) literally has a disclaimer that they have to run these ads during their stopsets and telling listeners to "Think critically" and to do their research before believing everything they hear in political ads. The talk stations are left-leaning, so a lot of those listeners might question why they are running ads from right wing candidates, but they also run that disclaimer on the music stations. And yes candidates from both sides of the spectrum run ads on their stations.