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Deceptive Commercials

P

Prescott Joe

Arizona's Family, KTVK and KPHO, have been airing a segment called
"Steals and Deals" within their newscasts. The anchors typically
announce that the commercial host has some special deals for viewers.
This practice is deceptive in misleading viewers into thinking this is
part of the newscast when in fact it is a commercial within the newscast.
I believe the commercial host is Lisa Robertson.
 
WFAA TV in Dallas runs what is essentially an infomercial of sorts hosted by two anchors interviewing business owners about a product they are offering. Sometimes there is a music act and sometimes some giveaways. The flow is not unlike a typical newscast. They sometimes mention local events happening in the city (usually with a tie-in to a business featured). Overall, it is well one and very watchable, not seeming to be as commercial as it truly is. I don't consider this deceptive, but then again, this hour-long program complete with actual commercial breaks, is not within a newscast.

I would think most people would gather Steals and Deals is a paid commercial just as you have described. A TV station selling airtime to businesses cannot afford to give away airtime to a random business on integrity alone. I wonder if some might be their major advertisers.
 
Prescott Joe said:
Arizona's Family, KTVK and KPHO, have been airing a segment called
"Steals and Deals" within their newscasts. The anchors typically
announce that the commercial host has some special deals for viewers.
This practice is deceptive in misleading viewers into thinking this is
part of the newscast when in fact it is a commercial within the newscast.
I believe the commercial host is Lisa Robertson.
Click to expand...


KRON does the Same thing where a 1 minute infomercial takes place between news segments but they remove the news graphics for a different set of graphics while using the KRON studios.
 
Prescott Joe said:
This practice is deceptive in misleading viewers into thinking this is
part of the newscast when in fact it is a commercial within the newscast.
Click to expand...

It's been going on for over 30 years. There is usually some form of disclaimer that appears in some way to cover their behinds from any legal issues.

When it began, it was brought to the attention of the FCC, so everyone knows what is permitted by law.

Technically all of these music features you hear on the radio, where the DJ plays a song and mentions the album release date, could be viewed as infomercials. Same with artist interviews. Most of them are done without remuneration. If there is, the DJ has to give a sponsorship credit.
 
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