Adweek Magazine reports today that when Fox's American Idol returns for its fifth season this fall, advertisers will be paying more than ever to have their 30-second ads air during the broadcast.
The cost of a spot on the Tuesday night broadcast, in which the singers perform for votes, will be $660,000. The cost for a spot on the Wednesday night show, which displays the results of Tuesday's voting, will be a whopping $705,000. That's up 7 percent from last season, making Idol the most expensive show on television for the second year in a row and setting a record for the highest ad rate ever for a prime-time series.
In comparison, Wednesday night time-slot competitor The Apprentice: Martha Stewart will net NBC $310,000 per 30-second spot. NBC, once the top-rated network, took a tumble last season without its stalwart sitcom Friends. The Friends spin-off Joey has languished in the ratings, and ratings for The Apprentice were down 20 percent as well. With Will & Grace ending this season, NBC is scrambling to produce a solid hit and has pinned much of its hope on the Jason Lee sitcom My Name Is Earl.
The highest-rated new show of last season, ABC's Desperate Housewives, is averaging $560,000 per 30-second spot for the 2005/2006 season. Other new shows getting healthy ad rates include ABC's Invasion and Commander-in-Chief, each at $240,000 for a 30-seond spot, and UPN's Everybody Hates Chris, which set a record for that network with a price tag of $179,000 per spot. The average price of a 30-second spot this fall is $150,000.
In addition to the high ad rates, American Idol sponsors Cingular Wireless, Coca-Cola, and Ford have renewed deals that enable them to be featured prominently in the show.
I agree this show is nothing more than commercials.. I get pretty discouraged watching 2 minutes of program followed by 4 minutes of commercials
Why, If anyone has seen Rockstar:Inxs can see the Idol doesn't have the talent. Bring back Drama and Comedy and axe reality.
If I was Bill Gates I would pay them $705,000 to just take it off the air and have something else put in it's time slot...Hmmmm....Maybe a non-reality show!!!!!!Something with class and a real plot. Gee...What a concept
I can't believe the difference between Rock Star: INxs and American Idol. The Talent in Rock Star is so much better. That's where the money should go.
why even have the singing at all? let's just have hours and hours of commercials - at least that would be more honest.
If they want to spend that mcuh cash for a thirty second ad, let them. A fool and his mooney are soon parted.
That's a tad too much but I guess it'll be worth their money since millions watch the show...
That is a lot of money for 30 seconds of ad time. The only reason I stopped watching is because the show is like one big television ad.