The amount of commercials in TV network programming rose to 10.9 minutes per hour in November from 10.7 minutes last year, according to Nielsen data analyzed by Brian Wieser of Pivotal Research Group.
Several networks have been talking about reducing commercial loads to make their programming more attractive to viewers, who are being lured away by commercial-free alternatives like Netflix and over-the-top video sources, which often have fewer, shorter breaks.
Commercial loads were down at networks run by Time Warner, Scripps Networks Interactive and 21st Century Fox, according to Wieser.
Viacom, which has talked about lowering the amount of commercials in some new programming on some of its networks, was up for the month.
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Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.
