iTMS TV Terrifies Advertisers

Over at our sibling-blog, AdJab, Ajit Anthony points out that the commercial-less television shows available on the iTMS and the portable video capabilities of the new iPods are scaring the begebus out of advertisers. The post links to a C|Net article that quotes Jason Maltby, co-president of national broadcast for media buyer Mindshare as saying: "One could argue that if I'm a sponsor of Desperate Housewives, my commercial should be wherever Desperate Housewives goes, whether it's on the phone or an iPod."

One could also argue that that's crap. I mean, you can buy commercial free shows on DVD. The sponsorship of television advertising is sponsorship for the cost of broadcasting the show, isn't it? Plus, you could always spend your money on product placement. Let's not forget that the shows are advertisements for themselves. I mean, people who are watching the shows on the iTMS will probably tune in to see the broadcast ad-laden versions of the shows, assuming that their iPods haven't replaced the TV, which I don't think it will.