• by Wayne Friedman , October 21, 2016

All national NFL TV programming has pulled in a collective $1.16 billion in advertising sales through October 21 -- with six full weekends/seven Thursday night games. That's up slightly from the $1.13 billion over the same time period a year ago, according to iSpot.tv.

To date this year, CBS has grabbed $445.1 million for all its NFL programming, followed by Fox at $276.7 million; NBC with $271.4 million; ESPN at $119.7 million; and NFL Network with $47.0 million.

Generally, prime-time NFL programming has been hurt a bit more than Sunday afternoon NFL contests when it comes to viewership.

Automakers are still the big category this year at $279.9 million; while electronic/communications wireless providers come in at $93.4 million; insurance, $82.8 million; quick-serve restaurants $77.1 million; and beer marketers, $56.1 million.

Verizon is the top NFL advertiser at $56.1 million; GEICO, $36.3 million; Toyota, $33.5 million; NFL, $33.1 million; and Chevrolet, $25.6 million.

A year ago, automotive spend was $254.5 million followed by sports marketers, including sports fantasy leagues, at $114.2 million; restaurants, $80.8 million; electronic/communications wireless, $70.6 million; and insurance, $65.1 million.