TV Station Groups Enjoy Political Ad Windfall

Eighty percent of the $3 billion spent on political advertising went for spot TV.

With stations in Las Vegas and Phoenix, Meredith posted a record amount of political ad dollars this election season. The $33.2 million for its 12 stations blew away its intake in the presidential run of 2008, and nipped the $32.6 million it garnered four years ago. The Sinclair group took in about $42 million -- 2% above 2008. Sinclair has a CW-MyNetworkTV duopoly in Las Vegas. Meredith has the Fox station in the Nevada market that had Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spending liberally to hold onto his seat. In Phoenix, Meredith's CBS affiliate was positioned to benefit from Sen. John McCain efforts to stay in office.