• Crain's Detroit Business, Tuesday, July 24, 2007 10:30 AM

TV stations in Detroit are facing an ad spending slump fueled largely by cutbacks from domestic automakers, but operators are hopeful things could brighten up by the end of the year as political dollars start to flow.

The Democratic and Republican parties of Michigan parties have set primary elections or caucuses in late January, which could mean an influx of presidential campaign spots in the fourth quarter. "I think there's a reasonable expectation of political revenue in the fourth quarter, but how much is anyone's guess," said Steve Wasserman, vice president and general manager at NBC affiliate WDIV-Channel 4. But it's too soon to know if that will offset declines in automotive, real estate, construction and retail advertising.

"The general Michigan economy is lagging behind the rest of the country, and that had an effect on advertising," he says. At ABC affiliate WXYZ, general manger Grace Gilchrist says health care and telecom advertising are up slightly and she is eager to see a revenue boost form the presidential race and special interest groups.

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