Or the AI overview could include linked citations to references. 

Dave, while I am very sympathetic towards efforts to target better and improve the way TV ad time is sold, it's the practicality and the dollars and cents trade-offs that will eventually rule.

For years I have advocated improved ways to make--and sell--upfront TV time--but made zero headway as the system is entrenched and bureaucratically constipated. Change is feared by each silo as "the enemy"--which is why linear TV is declining.

Over and beyond that, there are far too many players but not enough viewing. Imagine what would have happened in 1970 if there were 15, not 3, broadcast TV networks competing for the average person'e 3.8 hours of daily viewing. And then there were many shows that attracted younger viewers. Very few of those 15 networks would have survived more than a few years. 

The sad thing, is that CTV is becoming little more than an extension of linear where content, ad loads and time selling are concerned. Sure, there are exceptions--and, for a time, one can exploit some of the new benefits--providing the advertiser and his agency really digs in and deals directly with the sellers. How long will that situation last is the question in my mind.

Ed, I do believe that the TV companies can change how they sell, and I do think that packaging is easy to do (and will be hard to break) but dramatically undervalues the "low value" spots. Digital companies can sell audience segments at much higher CPM's than content alone commands. TV companies could too.

Dave, there's a lot there but I question some of your recommendations.

For example, you seem to be saying that traditional TV time sellers--the networks, mainly--should abandon their bundling of high and low rated shows and, I assume, the whole upfront concept. And then what? As most of their shows will be low rated how do they monetize the whole mass of content ---the few highs with the many lows--- for maximum value --namely ad revenue in relation to program costs. How many buyers will pay worthwhile CPMs for packages that consist  only of low rated shows?

Another question concerns the "quality" of content aspect. Like it or not reruns are a must if program costs are to be held to a reasonable level and ad revenues are gained at a profit. That's nothing new--it's been true since TV began. Your cable example doesn't really make the point. A typical streaming CPM is somewhat below that of broadcast TV and way higher than  cable and Netflix is not a typical example of streaming CPMs--it's on the high end while many cable CPMs are higher than that $7 figure you mentioned.

Which brings us to the question of solutions. There's no realistic expectation that linear TV, led by the broadcast TV networks plus some major cable channels--ESPN, Fox News, etc.--is going to radically alter the old age slanted demos of its content. And there are no signs of any attempt to do so--it's too late and would require a vast dip into red ink to even try. So how would "better" audience targeting help if so much of the audience is older adults and so little is younger adults. That's an imbalance that will appeal to few advertisers--- or their computers--unless your CPM pricing is very low--which is how they are selling their time now. 

As I note in my upcoming book, "TV, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", traditional TV--broadcast TV---- handled the advent of cable very well but missed the boat when it came to streaming. Now it's got to find a way to make its two enterprises--a  fading linear TV empire and  struggling streaming ventures pay out. I fear that consolidation and many fewer players is the only hope. But, maybe I'm wrong. We shall see. 

I have no idea why this is in Media Insider, but it's interesting how often MP staff will post a commentary without waiting for additional information.

These are not "protection patrols" and they are not peaceful protestors.  They are agitators who put the public at large in danger when they block the roads and impede their fellow citizens from going about their business.

CBS News has confirmed that Alex Pretti was caught on camera, with his pistol in his waistband, one week earlier spitting on federal agents and damaging federal vehicles as they attempt to drive away. He wasn't there to document.  He was there to provoke and impede. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/video-alex-pretti-scuffle-federal-agents-minneapolis-11-days-before-his-death/

Renee Good was parked parallel in the middle of the street for almost four minutes on an icy day forcing fellow citizens to navigate around her vehicle.

Neither she nor Alex deserved to die, and when people claim the agents are not trained, they are correct.  The agents were trained to deal with illegal criminals.  The agents were never trained to deal with their fellow citizens physically trying to obstruct them and assault them.

The reason the country is split on this is because legacy media only shows what they want to show to push a narrative.  Social media affords everyone to see with their own eyes and judge.

These deportation arrests are happening all over America without incident.  But let's just ignore that Minneapolis' governor and the city's mayor is actively encouraging their consitutents to "fight" and to "resist" and that rhetoric like ghestapo and Nazis doesn't play a role in this irresponsible behavior.

You have a right to peacefully protest.  You do not have the right to block traffic or put your hands on a federal agent and it seems like only the consitituents in Minneapolis don't understand this. The government doesn't send 10 agents to arrest your gardener.

The tactics of deporting people hasn't changed under Trump.  The politics of a lunatic fringe and an irresponsible legacy media and local politicans have changed and are being allowed to promote falsehoods and hate.  Fortunately or unfortunately, as time passes, more video and facts present themselves to allow all of us to see the lies or incomplete reporting legacy news outlets disribute.

It would be great if consumers/viewers/subscribers could opt out of seeing AI generated content too.

The CW aired The Chosen season 4 in fall of 2024 I don't know if they'll air season 5. Not my type of shows why I don't watch these mini series ever.

NewsMax shouldn't worry about NewsNation as that only gets hash marks in the ratings. Chris Ruddy sued FOX which is a baseless lawsuit and a FL court denied it and threw it out within day of filing it went to Wisconsin courts and I hope will throw it out as well. Thing is FOX owns more than NewsMax Chris Ruddy which The Big FOX along with sports and entertainment, not just news like NewsMax which is low budget in my opinion. I don't like NewsMax why I don't watch it.

As I said outside of the O&Os only going to be 3 major TV Groups in my opinion when is all said and done no matter those that want to keep it the outdated cap at 39% which should be 50 or 55% in my opinion. 

I get paid more than $90 to $120 per hour for working online. I heard about this job 3 months ago and after joining this I have earned easily $10k from this without having online working skills . 

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Here is I started_______   https://Www.Jobathome1.Com

I wish/hope you are right. A population of people tends to unite (especially if it has good leadership) when they are threatened by a common natural disaster or enemy (per your London example and what we see in Ukraine today). Our current situation is different, because the authoritarianism is not seen as a common threat that unites all Americans. Many Americans (including many GOP leaders) are, regretably, not bothered by the actions of Trump, who is well known to have run his business as an absolute authoritarian and, given his attributes of "malignant narcissism", wants to do the same with our government. 

Great article. Thanks for sharing!

FCC's recent guidance on equal time rules for late-night talk shows applies strictly to over-the-air broadcast stations, not cable networks like Fox News Channel, CNN, MS NOW, etc.  Shows such as Gutfeld are exempt because they air on cable, which falls outside FCC content jurisdiction.  

I don't see networks airing sports all week in my opinion too much of a good thing in my opinion and also as Ed said as well. FOX & NBC have it right when it comes to sports with Fri to Sun for FOX & NBC with NBA on SUN & Tue nights.

Bill was one of the best trade association executives that PQ Media had the pleasure working with multiple times.  Bill, I wish you luck in your less-strenous role at ANA, as well as good luck to your wife who will begin to tell you to go to the office more often after a few months (wink wink). 

Looks like a pretty bad ad......and for a product that should be illegal to sell. But at least this does not look like it will sell many pairs, especially at $500.00. Maybe the less than well known actors in the ad can afford them.

@Bill Duggan: Apologies if it was unclear that we were reporting you will be retiring from the ANA in June. MediaPost for one looks forward to covering future Duggan endeavors.

Bill - Congratulations.   You are non-pareil in this business - universally highly regarded, extremely competent, universally enjoyed, humorous,  humble and true.  See you around campus - Andrew

NO ... I am NOT retiring, Joe.  Athletes retire. But time to spend more time with my wife and get that work/life balance back.  Dagmara will be awesome. 

Gord: An insightful and encouraging piece.  The Minnesotan protesters are the real US patriots.  See you at The Shaw in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON over the Summer?  "Elbows up!" 

Wayne, what TV programmers have learned over the years is that too much of a "good thing" usually dissipates the appeal of the genre--often with disastrous results. If sports was programmed every day and night by the broadcast TV networks--or anyone else--- a high proportion of the content would, of necessity, be not so appealing and this would drive viewers away from that network or service, not to it. There simply isn't enough worthwhile sports content to support greatly increased representation on our TV screens. Which is why the NFL gets such relatively high ratings--there isn't too much of it and a higher proportion of the games actually mean something. Not so with baseball, NBA basketball, hockey, etc. 

I watched Memory Of A Killer last night a pretty good show I'll watch EP2 later this week OnDemand.

“The FCC has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on air presently would qualify for the bona
fide news exemption.”

Similarly, one wonders if they've been preented with any evidence that these shows would qualify as news at all.

The equal time rule stems from a time when video was distributed via the brpadcast airwaves, which were a finite resource owned by the public. The notion that the same guidelines and rules remain relevant today is preposterous.

Interesting point, Howard. Question. In terms of  available research dollars how big is DDL relative to straight TV ratings/demos as it relates to a would be data/audience supplier's potential income?