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Lower ratings could pinch TV ads

By Meg James
 and Alana Semuels
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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%.

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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

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Meg James

Meg James is a senior entertainment industry writer for the Los Angeles Times. She was the lead reporter for The Times’ coverage of the deadly “Rust” shooting on a New Mexico film set in 2021, work recognized by the Pulitzer Prize board as a finalist in breaking news. A member of the Company Town team for two decades, James specializes in covering television, corporate media and investigative projects. She previously wrote for the Miami Herald and the Palm Beach Post. A native of Wyoming, she is a graduate of the University of Colorado and Columbia University.

Alana Semuels

Alana Semuels is a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Times.

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