'Upfront' ad sales show that network TV is still dominant

'UPFRONT' AD SALES SHOW THAT NETWORK TV IS STILL DOMINANT
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Meg James]
The broadcast television networks are flexing their muscle in the ad market once again, despite declining ratings for their shows and worries that the Internet was poaching their audience and their revenue. On Monday, with the annual springtime sales bazaar in full swing, executives at the major networks, including Fox Broadcasting and Walt Disney Co.'s ABC, were making deals with advertisers at significant rate increases over last year. The two networks were on track to surpass their overall hauls from a year ago. Even spots on the evening network newscasts, which have witnessed a substantial decline in viewers, were being snapped up by hungry ad buyers. Network executives and advertisers said commercial time in morning news shows, daytime programs and late-night fare was also selling briskly. "This shows that network television is still king," said Andrew Donchin, director of national broadcast for the ad-buying firm Carat USA. "Even though their ratings aren't what they used to be, the networks have remained dominant. They are still bringing in a lot more viewers than anyone else."
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-upfront19jun19,1,5091...
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