Lower ratings could pinch TV ads

Are advertisers the next to be shut out in the writers strike?

With the strike expected to extend into the new year, broadcasters are beginning to feel pressure from advertisers that are worried about lower ratings after the networks run out of fresh episodes of popular scripted shows.

The writers strike has come amid an already disappointing season, particularly for NBC, CBS and ABC, whose prime-time ratings are down compared with last season. NBC's prime-time ratings in the key advertising category of viewers aged 18 to 49 are down 11% compared with last season; CBS is down 10% and ABC is off 5%.

January and February, when fresh episodes will run out, could be even worse.  Read more

More news on the strike

--Meg James and Alana Semuels

Comments

[JimBob]

Is the disappointing season due to the writers who are paid tens of thousands of dollars to write the shows? Or is it perhaps due to the executives who are paid tens of millions of dollars a year to choose, guide, judge and oversee those shows. You decide.