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 September 2026
The 2026 political advertising market is moving at record pace, with courts and regulators still settling which candidates qualify for lowest unit rates as the general election window opens. Political spending and rate eligibility directly affect your cost per spot and the inventory available to you. This page reads the same stories from the buyer’s side, and is updated daily. Items are compiled automatically each morning from trade sources and reviewed weekly by Peter Berk.
Supreme Court enters dispute over political ad rate discounts
The National Republican Congressional Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee have asked the Supreme Court to temporarily restore an FCC policy extending lowest unit charge eligibility to candidate-party coordinated advertising. The general election window requiring broadcasters to offer candidates their lowest unit rates opened on 4 September, creating urgency around the rate classification question. The FCC and Justice Department have backed the Republicans’ emergency request.
If you are booking political advertising, you should understand immediately which candidate categories will qualify for lowest unit rates at each station. Check with your media buying contacts whether the stations in your market have received updated guidance on rate eligibility before finalizing any buys. Inside Audio Marketing
Political advertising market reaches $5.75 billion with another $1.5 billion reserved
Political advertising had reached $5.75 billion through 31 August, putting the 2026 cycle 37 percent ahead of the comparable point in the 2022 midterms. Another $1.5 billion in advertising is already reserved through Election Day. Spending is also running 22 percent ahead of what the ad tracking firm AdImpact reported for the same period in 2020.
Demand for political inventory is exceptionally strong and accelerating. If you have political advertising to place, prioritize booking now rather than waiting, as station inventory will tighten and rates will rise as Election Day approaches. Inside Audio Marketing
The short version
Political advertising is now a material buyer’s issue. Record spending, legal uncertainty over rate eligibility, and accelerating demand mean you should treat political rate quotes and inventory commitments with the same rigour you would apply to a national or major local campaign. Verify which rate class applies to your candidate category before committing. Book political inventory promptly if you need it, as capacity constraints and pricing pressure will only intensify between now and Election Day.
If you are holding a radio, SiriusXM or TV proposal and want to know whether the number is a good one, send it in and it will be read against the points that actually decide it, at no charge. Berk Marketing represents advertisers, not radio stations or media companies.
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