Final Presidential Nielsen Ratings

Amanda Carpenter | November 04, 2008 2:19 PM

Nielsen just released their final analysis of presidential advertising in the battleground states of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

On Monday, Nov. 3, McCain’s campaign increased the number of TV ad units it ran in those seven states by 168% -- up from 708 units on Sunday to 1,900 units the day before the election. Meanwhile, Obama’s campaign boosted advertising in those seven battleground states by 133% -- up from 1,463 ad units on Sunday to 3,410 units.

On Sunday, the quantity of Obama’s ad units bested McCain’s by 107%, but on Monday, Obama’s lead in these key battleground states shrank to 79%.

Both candidates continued to focus the bulk of their advertising on Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. On Monday, McCain ran 75% of his 1,900 ads (1,424 units) in those three states, while Obama ran 67% of his 3,410 ads (2,292 units) there.

Advertising in these seven swing states by both candidates peaked on Friday, Oct. 17 (6,031 combined ad units; McCain: 1,912 units; Obama: 4,119 units) — just two days after their final presidential debate.

In comparison, on Monday, the candidates placed a combined total of 5,310 ads in these states, falling short of their Oct. 17 combined advertising peak by 13.5%. For his part, McCain came within 12 ad units (6%) of his Oct. 17 advertising peak on Monday, while Obama remained 709 units (21%) shy of his highest ad unit level.

Overall, between Oct. 6 and Nov. 3, Obama placed 133% more ad units (83,903 vs. 36,070) than McCain in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.