Date: 21st February 2001

Oscar Sales Spotty


ABC is struggling to sell the remaining inventory of spots for its Oscars telecast on March 25, the New York Post reported today (Wednesday).

ABC 'has never been in this position," an unnamed ad agency insider told the newspaper. "Usually by January 1st, they've got the show locked and loaded -- and have waiting lists for backup." But this year, with spots on the Oscars selling for $1.4 million (up from $1.3 million a year ago) and some advertisers scaling back their ad budgets, major ad agencies are reportedly shying away. According to the Post, because of ABC's sales troubles, the motion picture academy has agreed to waive certain ad policies and is no longer demanding approval of commercial copy.

Source: Studio Briefing