Nexstar presidential political advertising doubled from 2004

If you think we have been seeing advertising earlier than usual for the 2008 presidential race, you are absolutely right.

Nexstar Broadcasting CEO Perry Sook, in a just-completed news conference to announce the company's second quarter results, gave a breakdown of 2008 political advertising compared to 2004.

At this point in 2004, Sook said, 18 percent of political advertising received by Nexstar Broadcasting was for the presidential race. That number is up to 35 percent in 2008.

The 2008 breakdown, in addition to the presidential race advertising, shows 30 percent for issue advertising, 19 percent for U. S. House and Senate races, and 16 percent for state and local offices.

In 2004, the totals were 33 percent for issue advertising, 18 percent for presidential, and 24 percent for state and local races.

Up to this point, Sook said, Nexstar has been receiving one half to three quarters of a million in political advertising per week. That will grow next month and "multiply by a factor in October."