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Commercials during The Apprentice

6

6tothebronx

Guest
Has anyone else noticed the amount of commercials shown during The Apprentice on NBC? It seems like every five minutes there is a commercial break. I have not really noticed it during other tv shows, but it has become almost unbearable during The Apprentice. I don't watch the Martha Stewart apprentice, but is it the same way during that show?
 
> Has anyone else noticed the amount of commercials shown
> during The Apprentice on NBC? It seems like every five
> minutes there is a commercial break. I have not really
> noticed it during other tv shows, but it has become almost
> unbearable during The Apprentice. I don't watch the Martha
> Stewart apprentice, but is it the same way during that show?

Seems to be the case in just about all shows, anymore. Program time is shrinking and commercial time is increasing. Less production time and cost for programming, increased revenue from spot sales. Been running a stop watch on random programs and four minute, often five, commercial breaks are not uncommon. Wall to wall spots interrupted on occasion by pogramming.
>
 
FCC law (regulation) permits 12 minutes of commercials per hour.
This does NOT include election years, and it also might not include station ads and IDs.<P ID="signature">______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"
</P>
 
> FCC law (regulation) permits 12 minutes of commercials per
> hour.
> This does NOT include election years, and it also might not
> include station ads and IDs.

I know of no such rule.

47CFR73.670 does prohibit airing of more than 12 minutes per hour in programming produced primarily for an audience of children 12 years old or younger. (and the limit is 10-1/2 minutes on weekends) It says "commercial matter" so it would include political advertising. (though I doubt any candidate would buy airtime during programs produced for people too young to vote<grin>) And it would *not* include station promotions or IDs.

I don't recall that any such FCC rule ever did exist for general programming.

At one time most stations subscribed to a NAB Code of Good Practice that did establish limits on commercials, the 12-minute figure does ring a bell. That Code has long since gone by the wayside. IIRC, advertisers complained that it amounted to an illegal restraint of trade, artificially limiting the amount of airtime available for sale & driving up prices.

Also, at one time stations were required to include a proposed program schedule when filing for a new license or renewal. That schedule included the amount of advertising to be sold. At least in theory one could be sanctioned or lose one's license for failing to meet one's promises. I don't recall that ever happening...
 
> > It seems like every five
> > minutes there is a commercial break.
>
> Seems to be the case in just about all shows, anymore.
> Program time is shrinking and commercial time is increasing.
> Less production time and cost for programming, increased
> revenue from spot sales. Been running a stop watch on
> random programs and four minute, often five, commercial
> breaks are not uncommon. Wall to wall spots interrupted on
> occasion by programming.
> >
>
Oh, and don't forget all the on-show 'product placement' in-between commercials!!
 
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