TV stations can expect a slight decline in total spot spending next year, but the election year of 2008 should deliver close to a double-digit percentage boost in revenue. That's according to the latest predictions from the Television Bureau of Advertising.

In 2007, TVB says, total spot will be down 1% to 3%, with local up 0% to 2% and national down 7% to 9%.

But with return of heavy political spending in 2008, the trade group predicts total spot will increase by 8% to 10%, with local up 5% to 7% and national gaining 12% to 14%. That bullish national spot jump is based on TNS Media's prediction that there will be $1.8 billion spent in political advertising.

Commenting on the figures, Chris Rohrs, TVB president said: "Odd years will always face tough comparisons to even years, when spending on both the Olympics and political ads show up. Spot TV is a two-year business cycle."

TVB asked others for their predictions. The consensus of eight financial firms was that 2007 would see local spot up 2.3% and national down 4.1%. And the consensus of 14 rep firms was that 2007 national spot would be down 6.8%. The reps also said 2008 national spot would be up 13.6%.

TVB also offered a two-year cycle forecast that predicts 2007-08 combined total spot will be up 4.9% over the prior two years. "We continue to have a predicable solid growth tend in this industry," Rohrs added.

Noting that TV station Web sites have achieved "critical mass," TVB predicted that revenue from station Web sites would grow between 30 and 40% in both 2007 and 2008.

This year's total spot is going to come in up 8.2% from 2005, higher than the 7.9% prediction TVB made a year ago.

For more figures from the Forecast Conference, click here.