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 30 September 2026
As Election Day approaches and the advertising market continues its growth streak, three developments affect how you buy audio and digital inventory. Political rates are under dispute at the FCC, the overall ad market is expanding though streaming inventory is pressuring digital prices, and audio formats continue to shift. 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 campaigns are fighting over which candidates qualify for radio’s lowest advertising rates
Published 30 September 2026
Democrats and Republicans are clashing at the Federal Communications Commission over who is eligible for broadcasters’ cheapest political advertising rates. Democrats are pushing to narrow eligibility while Republicans argue that changing course now would disrupt political buys already underway. The dispute centers on guidance issued by the Media Bureau in March.
If you are placing political advertising this cycle, monitor the FCC’s Media Bureau for any rule changes that could affect your negotiated rates and inventory availability. See contact us for guidance on your specific buys. Source: Inside Audio Marketing.
U.S. ad market extends growth streak to eight consecutive months
Published 30 September 2026
The U.S. ad market grew 0.7% in August compared to a year earlier, according to Guideline’s U.S. Ad Market Tracker, marking an eighth consecutive month of growth. The gain represents a slowdown from earlier in the summer, when the World Cup helped boost marketer spending.
The sustained growth indicates continued advertiser confidence, though the smaller August gain suggests you should not assume momentum will maintain its earlier pace. Review your annual budget allocations and consider whether market conditions support increasing spend or maintaining current levels. Source: Inside Audio Marketing.
Streaming inventory surge is pushing digital ad prices lower
Published 29 September 2026
Streaming platforms are adding more advertising inventory to the marketplace, which is putting downward pressure on the prices sellers can charge for digital ads, according to new data from Guideline. The trend has implications for broadcasting and the broader media landscape.
As digital prices decline, this creates an opportunity to increase your digital spend at lower cost per impression, but also signals that traditional radio and TV inventory may command premium pricing. Evaluate your media mix and consider reallocating budget from digital to radio or TV if reach and frequency align with your campaign goals. Source: Inside Audio Marketing.
The short version
Political advertisers face potential rate changes at the FCC, the overall ad market is still growing despite a summer slowdown, and streaming’s inventory boom is creating price advantages in digital while making radio and traditional formats relatively more valuable. Review your political buys for regulatory updates, rebalance your annual budget to reflect August’s more modest growth, and consider shifting budget toward radio and TV as digital prices compress.
If you are holding a radio, SiriusXM or TV proposal and want to know what is actually running in your market, request a free competitive report, at no charge. In many cases nothing shows up at all, and that is worth knowing too. Berk Marketing represents advertisers, not radio stations or media companies.
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