Advertising Dollars and Content Wars: Why the Post-Pandemic Television Industry May Never Be the Same

• Published in: The Entertainment and Sports Lawyer Vol. 36; no. 3; pp. 9 - 17
• Main Authors: Dykstra, Lindsay E, Tepperman, Jesse
• Format: Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago American Bar Association 01.07.2020
• Subjects: Advertising; Broadcasting industry; Calendars; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Fees & charges; Internet access; Pandemics; Satellite television; Social distancing; Subscriptions; Technology adoption; Television networks; Television programs; North America
• ISSN: 0732-1880

Other networks no longer sell advertising space and offer commercial-free channels, relying instead on subscription fees as a primary source of revenue - for example HBO (Home Box Office), FX and Showtime. [...]a number of traditional media companies have begun introducing their own variations of OTT platforms, including Disney+, HBO Max and ABC Go. [...]networks and OTT platforms that rely on advertising may be forced to seek alternative revenue streams. REVENUE GENERATION a)Revenue Models As mentioned above, broadcast television networks have traditionally earned the bulk of their revenue through the sale of commercial space to advertisers.2 A network will develop or acquire the rights to a television program with the expectation that the network will be able to generate revenue through the sale of advertising space in connection with the series or program.