The Communications Commission published a report on Political Advertisements In The Media. According to the document, TV and radio broadcasters allotted more than 39,000 minutes for free political advertising during the elections. If the broadcasters took the money in the advertising, their revenue would grow by about GEL 23.2 million. Of this, more than 35,000 minutes were allotted for free political advertising on TV, valued at approximately GEL 22.5 million.
As for paid political advertising, according to the Communications Commission, revenue from paid political advertising totaled GEL 3.8 million.
Paid political advertising was placed on eight national TV channels by five political parties - Georgian Dream, Lelo-Georgia, National Movement, Girchi and Tribuna.
"Rustavi 2 received the largest income from paid political advertisements in the amount of GEL 769,461. Its main customer was Georgian Dream (87.2%). Income of Imedi TV amounted to GEL 640,132, only Georgian Dream placed paid political advertisements on the channel. The income of TV Pirveli was GEL 606,773. 90% of the total amount was transferred to the broadcaster by the political union Lelo. Mtavari Arkhi received GEL 467,364 for placing paid political advertisements, of which the main customer (61.3%) was Lelo for Georgia. GDS's revenue was GEL 276,648 and, like Imedi TV, the channel was paid for by political advertising only by the Georgian Dream. Pos TV's income amounted to GEL 245,333, of which the main buyer (88%) was Georgian Dream. Formula TV earned GEL 194,477 for paid political advertisements, of which the main customer (63%) was the National Movement. Girchi only placed paid political advertisements on Palitra News in the amount of GEL 14,492," the report reads.
As for the regional broadcasters, in total, 22 regional broadcasters received GEL 44,661 from paid political advertising.
