When did "Price Is Right" commercials start becoming more elderly-oriented?

[Tim from Springfield IL]

From Page 33 of the "Worst Commericals" thread here on the Classic TV board, originally posted in Sept. 2011:

Almost all commercials that run during "The Price Is Right" are about elderly problems. Scooter-stores, medicare, medicaid, good lord. If this show is committed to dying, then they are on the right track. Perhaps there are some younger viewers watching, and there are certainly younger folks trying to be contestants, but if I hear that one old guy yelling about how he is a prisoner in his own home one more time, I will permanently turn to The View. And that will be the end of me, without the scooter.

Does anyone know thereabouts when the commercial load on TPIR changed from that of a typical daytime program (appealing to viewers of all ages), to that which leaned more toward 55 and over? Even though it seems like most of the contestants on the show are younger people, especially college students. (And some college students have been known to adjusting their class schedules in order not to miss "Price is Right").

I got thinking about this as I've come across YouTube posts recently of some past TPIR episodes (with commercials), dating as far back as at least 1981.

This May 24, 1996 edition of TPIR looks like commercials appealing to all audiences were included. Occasionally some around that time may have leaned toward older viewers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQQo_g3UEco

The Dec. 2, 1999 show seemed like a normal commercial load but also included a Liberty Medical commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usQWD5xYsrw

However, by Dec. 12, 2003 we start seeing a lot of the elderly-oriented commercials similar to those that air today (including Wilford Brimley for Liberty Medical):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ76nHVi5tk

Although we don't see Scooter Store or Hoverround anymore--especially since the feds went after Scooter Store a few years ago.

Didn't TPIR go through production budget cuts around 2001? Or perhaps a result of the dot-com bubble recession (early 2000s). That might explain the changes in their commercial variety. I recall coming across some articles concerning those cuts but haven't come across them online this evening.

 

[crainbebo]

It had to have been the early 2000s, probably '01-'02ish. I remember seeing lots of Liberty Medical ads, lots of Hoveround ads, lots of The Scooter Store ads by then. That's where I learned "diabeetus" from...
However, when I watch TPiR today, I see about a 50-50 mix of 65+ ads and younger demographics. I also see a few 65+ orientated ads on Y&R. It's odd, must be the fact that there's fans that have watched as far back as when Bob Barker had dark hair in the 1970s/early '80s. Those people, housewives in the 1970s I assume, are in their 70s and higher.

 

[gr8oldies]

Look at the commercials for the rest of the daytime schedule and you'll have your answer. The audience is mostly not working, whether they are retired or unemployed (yes some work 2nd and 3rd shift). Last time I looked, most ads were a combination of medical, attorneys (either personal injury or medical malpractice-someone who needs these services may not be able to work) or schools. TPIR certainly still has young fans-a young couple I know were visible on camera when they went to the show recently,

 

[purpledevil]

That's where I learned "diabeetus" from...

Come on down to Texas, crain. We'll teach you a lot more of 'em. But, be careful.

It's hot down here in "Jew lie".

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Look at the commercials for the rest of the daytime schedule and you'll have your answer. The audience is mostly not working, whether they are retired or unemployed (yes some work 2nd and 3rd shift). Last time I looked, most ads were a combination of medical, attorneys (either personal injury or medical malpractice-someone who needs these services may not be able to work) or schools.

Yup. TPIR may have an older audience than the usual daytime show, but you don't find many ads for Tide or Febreeze or Palmolive, etc. anywhere on daytime network TV any more. I think most of those ads have migrated to more specialty platforms, such as HGTV.