Convention nets Trump free media, but Clinton dominates ad landscape

Tens of millions of Americans are tuning into the Republican National Convention to hear from Donald Trump and the party’s rising stars from across the nation. But when television networks cut to commercial, viewers will see a different story — one dominated entirely by Democrats and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

The presumptive Democratic nominee’s campaign is spending $4.9 million on television advertisements this week across 32 media markets in nine swing states. The Trump campaign has not aired a television advertisement for months; two pro-Trump groups are spending just $105,000 on TV ads boosting the GOP nominee this week. Clinton’s campaign is spending most heavily in Florida, where it has committed $1.1 million on broadcast and cable television commercials in eight media markets throughout the state. She’ll appear in the Sunshine State on July 22 and 23 for events. The campaign is spending $922,000 this week in Ohio — including $250,000 on broadcast and cable television in the Cleveland market, where Republicans are holding their convention. By contrast, Trump’s supporters are virtually ceding the airwaves during the convention: The National Rifle Association is spending just $34,000 on cable television advertisements in four Iowa markets. Rebuilding America PAC, a pro-Trump outside group, is spending $71,000 on national cable television ads.