Surge in political ads brings dollars, gripes

Associated Press

SEDALIA, Mo.

Josh Vannoy has heard the complaint from customers bringing TVs to his repair shop. He’s even heard it when delivering a brand new TV. The problem: the persistent static of this year’s political advertisements.

To gripe about the onslaught of ads has become an American election tradition. But this year, people really have more to complain about.

Even while exploiting the Internet and new media to sway voters, political campaigns in the midterm election are relying heavily on old-fashioned TV ads, which are capable of reaching all parts of the electorate, whether it wants to be reached or not.

Ads in U.S. House and Senate races have risen 50 percent; in gubernatorial races, they’ve more than doubled, according to figures from the Wesleyan Media Project, which analyzes ads.

With so much money being spent, no part of the day or the dial is exempt.

The political-ad blitz has been an economic stimulus for broadcasters. In October alone, campaign commercials are expected to account for 30 percent of local television stations’ revenues — putting politics ahead of auto dealers, cell-phone companies and all other sectors, according to the Television Bureau of Advertising, an industry trade group.

For television viewers, however, the barrage of ads accusing politicians of being out-of-touch, corrupt liars can get overwhelming.

When Vannoy recently delivered a television to the home of an elderly woman, she had one pressing question.

“She wanted to know where the mute button is,” said Vannoy, 33, the general manager of A-1 Television Service of Sedalia.