Hollywood Breakdown
Advertisers Spending Less Than Expected on Fall TV
Upfront commitments for television advertisements are down this year for the first time since 2009. And it's not just the broadcast networks that are taking a hit — ad spending for cable is down 4.7 percent. Even though total upfront advertising spending fell 6.1 percent, there's still $18,125 billion in ad dollars confirmed for fall television.
By Kim Masters • • 3m ListenWhen upfront advertising spending dipped in 2009, the drop was blamed on the down economy. Now, after four years of growth, upfront spending is down again, and this time the cause isn't so clear. Part of that money may be going to digital advertising, or some advertisers may be holding back, waiting to do their buying at a different time than the upfronts. Network television has taken a bigger hit in the downward spending trend, but cable's not immune; their ad spending is down 4.7 percent.
