TV Advertising In Trouble

Free-to-view television programing could vanish. For over 60 years, network broadcasters have supported programming through commercial advertisements; however, several factors could be combining that make free TV a thing of the past.

Cable, satellite and the Internet have fractured the networks’ audience. The downturn in the economy may be landing the final blow on advertising revenues for CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX. Rupert Murdoch told shareholders, “Good programing is expensive. It can no longer be supported solely by advertising revenues.”

Super Bowl ad sales have been much more difficult for this year’s game. For the first time in 23 years, Pepsi will not be advertising during the Super Bowl. Prices for Olympic advertising has been cut almost in half.

Tags: ABC, advertisements, CBS, commercials, FOX, NBC, Olympics, Super Bowl ad cost, TV advertising