FOX and CBS have sold out almost all of their ad inventory for the upcoming NFL Conference Championship games.
According to the Sports Business Journal, FOX has only one spot left for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, while as of last week CBS had two available for the AFC Championship Game. A 30-second ad during the NFL Conference Championships costs just over $1 million.
It should be pointed out that “most of the postseason advertising was sold last summer before the economy truly tanked.” Additionally, the effects of the economic downturn has resulted in less advertising from the financial sector. However, “other sectors are strong, including, surprisingly, domestic autos, which the networks had signed to multiyear ad deals.”
Meanwhile, NBC still has “between eight and 10” spots open for its February 1 Super Bowl telecast. But even if the network “struggles to unload the last batch of spots“, it is still likely to “break Fox’s record ad haul of $186.3 million.”
NBC has been helped by the major movie studios, as Paramount, Universal, DreamWorks, Sony and most recently Pixar have bought ad time during the game. Additionally, while mainstays such as FedEx and General Motors are passing on Super Bowl ads this year, there are newcomers to replace them.
Denny’s will air its very first Super Bowl ad, which will feature “cowboys as characters” and tell of a “consumer offer that is a first ever for sit-down restaurants.” Meanwhile, Pedigree Dog Food, Teleflora and General Electric — parent company of NBC — will also be first time Super Bowl advertisers.
