According to the Los Angeles Times, money from political advertising is filling the bank accounts of local TV stations.
Candidates and supporters are caught up in a frenetic advertising blitz, on pace to drop a record $3 billion, according to analysts who monitor spending. Most of the money is going to an old-media workhorse: local TV stations.
TV stations nationwide will rake in two-thirds of the campaign dollars this year — about $2 billion. Commercial radio, another old-media staple, is expected to collect $250 million. At least $650 million will be spent on direct mail campaigns, those glossy fliers now filling mailboxes.
Internet sites should fetch about $50 million, less than 2% of the total.
Internet ads, Wayne Johnson, president of Wayne Johnson Agency said, are easy to ignore: “All you have to do is click.”
But, but, but, I thought the Internet was the answer to grassroots organizing and political fundraising. I’m so confused.