SBS Offering Pay-For-Play Airtime

One Man's Infomerical Is Another's Legal Payola...

SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM is about to unveil "infomercial time" on weekends, when record companies can pay to have their artists' records played. According to a BILLBOARD story posted on ABCNEWS.COM, "Monthly Rotating Infomercial" packages are now being sold at variable rates, based on the number of spins to be aired, with costs varying based on the number of spins per month. The infomercial blocks could start airing as soon as the end of OCTOBER.

The info packages can be purchased for both developing and established artists. They will air on SBS stations from 11p-6a weekdays and 11p-10a on weekends. Each song will be preceded by an intro that identifies the artist, the song title and the presenting sponsor. The infomercial spots will not have any other programming or advertising.

According to SBS Dir./New Business Development MANNY MORA, slots for NOVEMBER are nearly full. Approximately two-thirds of the slots have been purchased by major labels and one-third by indies.

« see more Net News