Just accept it, every TV show is all about advertising

By Matt Dunlap on July 6th, 2010

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I watch a lot of TV. I grew up with TV and still like to slouch deep in my couch and watch a good TV show. One of my biggest pet peeves is TV shows that’s sole purpose is to sell or advertise something. I’m not talking about infomercials, which I really do love. I’m talking about news, late night shows, Home and Garden, etc…

Marketing Content Fills 42% of Each Prime Time Hour
The combined total of 25 minutes and 15 seconds (25:15) of marketing content represents 42% of a prime time hour, Kantar says. Unscripted reality programming had an average of 19 minutes and 42 seconds (19:42) per hour of brand appearances. Combined with 14 minutes and 26 seconds (14:26) of network ad messages, each hour of unscripted reality programming contains 34 minutes and eight seconds (34:08) of marketing content, representing about 56% of total time.

Primetime TV Hour Includes 41% Commercials (2009)
Among all monitored network programming during the period, The Biggest Loser: Couples had the highest average volume of brand-appearance time at 48 minutes, 5 seconds (48:05) per hour. Rounding out the top five were Hell’s Kitchen (43:00); American Idol (40:49); Chopping Block (38:54); and Knight Rider (32:10).

Next time you watch The Jersey Shore, look for all the Bodman spray scents. You might not know what Bodman is, so just replace Bodman with Tag, or Axe body spray and you’ll understand. The product placement sticks out like sore thumbs in all the bathroom scenes.

It’s not just reality TV. The news shows are filled with just as much product placement.

I’m sure this isn’t surprising to you, but for many people hidden advertising has been the end of their TV.They are throwing them out and getting videos streams on their computers. But, if you think that jumping onto the internet for there streaming content is better. Well it’s not.

You might have an advertising free source today, but you will soon be bombarded by banner ads. They have to make money and we won’t pay for online content. Actually, we will, but not more then $3/month

Just look at Youtube. Youtube has Pre-commercials and banners popups in videos and even more banners on the webpage. But, it’s working. Youtube might turn a profit this year.

This doesn’t just touch on shows. This affects full TV networks like G4TV. You might have heard of G4TV…. It a tech channel, but if you’re not watching between 4 and 5pm you will probably miss the tech news. The other time slots are filled with Cops, Cheaters, Campus PD and Some Ninja show. I’m sure that ads sell much better, or bring in more revenue for these shows.

So, for me, I’ve just accepted the fact that all media is a vehicle to sell things. Usually things that I don’t need, but with some good marketing, I will get it.