Infomercial Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
An infomercial is a television commercial that is as long as a typical television program. Infomercials are also referred to as paid programming and are often shown during off-peak hours, such as late at night or early in the morning. The word is a portmanteau formed from information and commercial.Infomercials proliferated in the United States after 1984, when the FCC eliminated regulations on the commercial content of television which were established in the 1950s and 1960s.
Well known infomercial personalities include George Foreman (of George Foreman Grill fame), Mike Levey, Ron Popeil, and Tony Robbins.
In order to be profitable, the products sold on infomercials are usually priced five or more times their wholesale cost.
First and foremost, an infomercial is an advertisement, that is program-long and is designed to solicit a specific direct response from the viewer. As with any other form of advertisement, an infomercial is a commercial message, and as such represents the viewpoints and serves the interest of the sponsor.
Infomercials are a paid programs and are long-form. Unlike conventional 30 and 60 second TV ads, an infomercial runs at least a half hour. The reason: a half hour is the smallest block of airtime a TV station will sell without interrupting its programming schedules. (Ordinarily, no program on TV is shorter than 30 minutes.)
An infomercial must solicit a direct response which is specific and quantifiable. The solicitation and the delivery of the response must be direct between the advertiser and the viewer. A normal commercial does solict a direct response instead they are simply trying to brand their product in the market place, so that when next you are shopping you will remember the advertisement and be more susceptible to buying their new product.
Consumer advocates recommend that as with any other purchase consumers should carefully investigate all claims made on an infomercial, as well as the company behind the product before purchasing the product featured.
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