Political Spots Now a Bargain

In the annals of political advertising, the unthinkable is happening: TV spots are getting cheaper as the November election approaches. Faced with a recession as well as advertising cutbacks by automakers and financial services providers, TV stations have sliced the price of political spots, political ad buyers say. In some markets, prices are as much as 15% to 20% lower than two years ago. Reductions aren't hitting every station or every market, and it's difficult to say whether prices will rebound.