Radio and TV advertising news, read from the advertiser’s side. Nothing appears here unless it is about advertising and unless it changes something an advertiser might do.
Updated 5 October 2026
Political spending accelerated sharply in September, podcast advertising continues to attract brands, and holiday e-commerce forecasts are climbing. These shifts suggest where inventory scarcity may emerge and where audience attention is concentrating. This page reads the same stories from the buyer’s side, and is updated every weekday. Items are compiled automatically each weekday morning from trade sources and reviewed weekly by Peter Berk.
Political ad spending nearly doubled in September
Published 5 October 2026
According to AdImpact, 1.58 billion dollars in political advertisements aired during September, nearly double the amount that aired in August and 41 percent more than in September 2022. The acceleration extended to the volume of spots, with AdImpact tracking 1.2 million broadcast ads during the month.
If you are running consumer campaigns in competitive markets, expect inventory tightness and rate premiums as political spending peaks. Monitor local station availabilities now and consider locking in inventory early. Source: Inside Audio Marketing
Podcast ads benefit from high engagement and host trust
Published 5 October 2026
Podcast listeners experience ads as part of the content rather than interruptions, according to research from iHeartMedia. The medium cultivates trusted host relationships and operates as a highly attentive listening environment.
If you sell consumer packaged goods or services requiring careful explanation, podcast host-read advertising offers measurable engagement advantages over standard broadcast inventory. Test host-read formats if you have not yet allocated budget to the channel. Source: Inside Audio Marketing
Holiday online spending forecast rises to record 275.1 billion dollars
Published 5 October 2026
U.S. consumers are expected to spend 275.1 billion dollars online during the 2026 holiday shopping season from November 1 through December 31, according to Adobe Analytics, with spending projected to increase 6.7 percent from a year earlier. This forecast is based on analysis of more than 1 trillion visits to U.S. retail websites and 100 million shopping carts.
If you sell retail or e-commerce products, holiday radio and audio campaigns will compete for share of voice against strong consumer demand and retailer spending. Build your fourth-quarter plan now and allocate budget to drive traffic during peak shopping periods in November and December. Source: Inside Audio Marketing
The short version
Three forces are reshaping inventory and opportunity this quarter: political spending is consolidating local radio and broadcast inventory, podcast advertising is demonstrating sustained engagement value, and holiday e-commerce projections are at record levels. Conservative buyers should act now on political markets and fourth-quarter holiday budgets. Advertisers testing new channels should evaluate podcast host-read formats where engagement and trust matter to campaign performance.
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