Ad spending across all media rose 6.4 percent during the first half of 2004, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday by Nielsen Monitor-Plus. Cable TV showed a 12.5 percent increase, network TV was up 7.5 percent and spot TV was up 3.3 percent.

Nielsen also said 356,000 ads for the presidential campaign aired during the first half, including ads from interest groups such as MoveOn.org and the Sierra Club. Nielsen noted that President Bush and Sen. John Kerry both have concentrated their ads in similar shows-local news, network morning shows, and ” Wheel of Fortune,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Jeopardy!” Boston, Phoenix and Eugene, Ore., are among the top markets targeted by each campaign. President Bush’s ad campaign has also concentrated on smaller markets, including Burlington, Vt.-Plattsburgh, N.Y., Ft. Smith, Ark., and Yakima, Wash.