# Who foots the bill for commercial free news coverage? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 13, 2001, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386 "2001-09-13T17:28:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386/1 "2001-09-13T17:28:30Z")
I would think there would be a limit to what the station’s could support without sponsorship. Didnt realize till today that there werent any commercial’s though I have been switching around so much it was sort of easy not to notice. If the government declares a state of emergency, do they help foot the bill for media coverage? ---
**Author:** ![starfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@starfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starfish)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386/2 "2001-09-13T17:35:01Z")
No. The TV stations sell specific add space. If the show your ad is supposed to be in does not air, neither does your ad. They may even write it off their taxes as a public service broadcast. ---
**Author:** ![jonfromdenver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jonfromdenver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonfromdenver)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386/3 "2001-09-13T17:39:15Z")
i believe that the stations are focusing on being a public service, like starfish said. the only financial gain they are looking at for the moment, i’m sure, is competing for ratings. i’m sure the most popular station wouldn’t gloat about it to the public, but i’m sure it will be told to their sponsors. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386/4 "2001-09-13T17:46:28Z")
1010 WINS radio in NYC has been going without commercials ever since the initial attack and has had truly excellent coverage (getting all the news through and not stopping to fulfill their primary missions of traffic and weather reports every ten minutes.) Obviously they’re not making money, but they have certainly earned my listenership for life. ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Propski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Guy\_Propski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Propski)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386/5 "2001-09-13T18:29:56Z")
It’s all on the station’s dime. I’m sure there are accounting methods of get tax breaks for loss in advertising, but that’s to be considered at a later date. For now, the stations are doing a great job. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386/6 "2001-09-13T18:36:24Z")
> [@](#): > > _jonfromdenver says:_ i’m sure the most popular station wouldn’t gloat about it to the public, but i’m sure it will be told to their sponsors. [Wrong](http://us.news2.yimg.com/f/42/31/7m/dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20010913/en/television-cable_1.html)☹ ---
**Author:** ![jonfromdenver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jonfromdenver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonfromdenver)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386/7 "2001-09-13T18:40:06Z")
> [@](#): > > ## jonfromdenver says: i’m sure the most popular station wouldn’t gloat about it to the public, but i’m sure it will be told to their sponsors. > > Wrong geez, i thought we had more class than that. this is really disappointing. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386/8 "2001-09-14T07:41:07Z")
Yep, we (stations) are footing the bill for commercial-free airtime. But really, what company is going to want their ad appear in the middle of the coverage on Tuesday or Wednesday? They’d be pilloried and boycotted by everyone. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-foots-the-bill-for-commercial-free-news-coverage/81386/9 "2001-09-14T15:10:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Barbarian \* > \*\*But really, what company is going to want their ad appear in the middle of the coverage on Tuesday or Wednesday? They’d be pilloried and boycotted by everyone. \*\* Dunno about people buying broadcast ad time, but the e-mail spammers are still idiots. A friend of mine got this beauty: \*Dear X10 Subscriber, The X10 staff is deeply saddened by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Our thoughts and prayers go to the victims and their loved ones. As part of a nation-wide call to “get back to business” we feel it appropriate to offer a special 1 day extension to our current promotion. Until Friday 9/14 you can get a FREE InstantON Camera and Scan Kit!\* (see details)\* Some people seem to have a deficient common-sense gland. ☹