POLS 207 (1-14-26)

Advertising During Broadcasts

• Commercial spots can cost $8,000,000 to $10,000,000 for 30 seconds.

• High viewership (100,000,000 to 200,000,000+) allows for such pricing.

Media Business Model

• News media sells audience attention to advertisers for profit.

• This creates bias as the media focuses on content that keeps viewers engaged.

Viewer Bias

• People tend to focus on information that aligns with their existing beliefs (selective perception).

• This results in disengagement from opposing viewpoints.

Personal Experience

• Personal anecdotes illustrate reactive disinterest in disagreeable content (e.g., sports broadcasts).