ABC Lowers Oscar Ad Rates

Los Angeles Times:

This year, Oscar is a little less golden.

The ABC network, in a move that reverses years of escalating prices and underscores the worsening economy, has shaved the cost of a commercial for Sunday's annual Academy Awards show, one of TV's most-watched programs.

Once considered invincible to downturns, big events such as the Academy Awards and the Super Bowl, which attract tens of millions of viewers, can no longer command automatic rate hikes. NBC in January found itself peddling unsold commercial inventory in the Super Bowl just days before the big game. It even had to slash rates to attract last-minute sponsors.

Last year ABC sold commercial time in the Academy Awards show for as much as $1.8 million for a 30-second ad. Now, with the recession in full swing on top of five consecutive years of declining Oscar ratings, ABC has had to lower its rates. Individual spots have been selling for $1.4 million to $1.7 million.

Read the whole story: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Madmac]

Could it be that the winner's may have been leaked earlier today?