The news: US automotive TV advertising is on the downswing as rising costs squeeze the auto industry. TV spend fell 32% YoY in May, dropping $50.4 million, per iSpot data reported by Mediapost. Other metrics were also dire: Year-to-date spending is down 22%, slipping beneath $1 billion. Household TV ad impressions fell 11% YoY and 17% year-to-date.