Tolbert: Football Games Prime Spot For Political Ads

By now, Arkansas has already grown weary of seeing political ads on our televisions; however, with just over six weeks to go until the election, they promise to only grow in intensity. As most Arkansans like me kick back on their sofa for a weekend of football, you might be interested to know that candidates and political groups are paying top dollar to put their ads in front of you.

The cost of ads can range greatly.  A mere $20 will get you a 30-second spot on KARZ-42 in Little Rock at the 9:00 am hour during a re-run of “The Office.”  But the prime time spots – when most viewers are tuned in – will greatly increase the spots.  And the most coveted – and therefore highest priced – of all spots are during NCAA and NFL football games.  Here is a sample of the cost of one 30-second ad during football games…

• $25,000 (DSCC) – KATV spot during the Arkansas-Texas Tech game last Saturday
• $11,050 (Senate Majority PAC) – KLTV spot during Sunday NFL Cowboys-Rams game
• $10,000 (NRA) – KTHV spot during last Thursday’s NFL Falcons-Buccaneers games
• $10,000 (Senate Majority PAC) – KTHV spot during NCAA football game this Saturday
• $10,000 (NRA) – KTHV spot during Vikings-Packers game on NFL Thursday night October 2
• $7,500 (NRA) – KTHV spot during Cowboys-Texans noon NFL Sunday game on October 5
• $7,000 (NRA) – KATV spot during the NCAA Saturday night game on ABC
• $5,000 (Pryor) – KTHV spot during Arkansas-Texas A&M game on September 27

This is just a sample but it is certain that those paying for the ads feel it is worth the extra money to target football fans. Perhaps this is a key opportunity to reach undecided voters. Prime time television shows are bringing in a hefty sum such as $12,000 on KTHV on September 30 during the 7:00 premiere of “NCIS.”