no commercial interruptions

[jfb]

From the New York Times: "A leading television producer and two major advertisers have joined forces to present a live variety show with no commercial interruptions. Instead, the advertising messages will be incorporated into the show," in an attempt to combat the ease with which TiVo (and VCR) owners can skip over 30-second spots.

The in-show advertising will be not just product placement but blatant promotions "like putting singers on a set dominated by a logo or building comedy routines around a product." (A big opportunity for the companies that make packages of ten hot dogs and eight hot dog rolls.) Sketches could be built around a sponsor and its products. The show could charge for guest hosts. (Want the star of your movie to promote it on our show? It'll cost you.)

Comments

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

This is reminding me heavily of the 1950's tendency to have eg soap companies sponsor shows, only even nastier. It'd be interesting to see whether people actually WATCH such shows.