Once Upon a Time Commercial Content

[Hakunamatata]

While watching Once Upon a Time last Sunday, I was quite surprised to see an advertisement for a very non family movie The Last Exorcism. That got me to thinking that I have seen a few commercials during this TV series for shows that are not really ones that younger children would or should likely be watching. Anyone else find it odd that ABC would risk viewership of a fairly popular TV series to show stuff that IMHO really shouldnt be seen by 8 to 14 year olds?

I emailed ABC and of course, got the obligatory, "we cant answer all our emails, here follow this link for more info" response.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I did some research and found that the median age for the show is "40-something" (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/490226-Median_Age_for_Primetime_Viewing_Is_Up_Not_a_Problem_for_Advertisers_in_Some_Mass_Reach_Shows.php), but the show also has a high "co-viewing" number at 18% of viewers (meaning, adults who watched it with those under 18 http://www.vulture.com/2011/11/once-upon-a-time-is-a-rare-hit-with-the-whole-family.html. It doesn't look like Nielsen really tracks under 18s for this type of program, but its safe to say that most who view it are over 18 (or 14). ABC probably bases advertisements on whom the majority of the audience is and likely feels a low risk in running ads like the one you mentioned. Disney may also feel 8 year olds are more their territory than ABC anyway.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Once Upon a Time I think of as an adult show, so it doesn't bother me. What I hate is pretty much the whole month of October when commercials for scary movies are all over the place. Something like American Idol is fine for kids to watch (I know, ha ha, nobody should watch American Idol... just an example), but then there are these freaky commercials outta nowhere. Also, year-round at CBS (they have the most "murder TV" IMO), you'll be watching something like the Amazing Race with your kids and then they have somebody like tied up and tortured on a commercial for Criminal Minds.

 

[DisneyGuyNYC]

Once Upon a Time is a show for adults. Anything after 8 really is a parent's responsibility to supervise, in my opinion. It's not fair to people without kids.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Once Upon a Time is a show for adults. Anything after 8 really is a parent's responsibility to supervise, in my opinion. It's not fair to people without kids.

It's on at 7.

 

[danlb_2000]

It's on at 7.

Only if you are in Central or Mountain time, it's 8 in the Eastern and Pacific.

 

[DisneyGuyNYC]

It's on at 7.

Only for a very limited portion of people. I don't think 7 is that early either, though.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Only for a very limited portion of people. I don't think 7 is that early either, though.

The entire Central Time Zone is not a limited number of people.....

 

[Hakunamatata]

Only if you are in Central or Mountain time, it's 8 in the Eastern and Pacific.

It's on in a large portion of the country that is prime family viewing time.

 

[DisneyGuyNYC]

The entire Central Time Zone is not a limited number of people.....

Population-wise both of those time zones are about a 1/3 of the country total. Factor in the number of people actually watching the show and then lower that down to the number of people viewing the broadcast live and you're left with, yes, a limited number of people.

 

[DisneyGuyNYC]

It's on in a large portion of the country that is prime family viewing time.

Than change the channel. I would understand if it was at 3 p.m. but by 7 most parents are around the house. If your kids can't handle a 30 second commercial (which, fair... that's your judgement call) than don't let them watch a non-children's channel or a show that has not been rated for children. This is not a Disney animated feature. It's a serious television drama.

Here's the Parent's Television Council's rating for the show: http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/shows/main.asp?shwid=3407

"The show contains adult-oriented themes and dialogue that may be inappropriate for youngsters."

 

[Hakunamatata]

Population-wise both of those time zones are about a 1/3 of the country total. Factor in the number of people actually watching the show and then lower that down to the number of people viewing the broadcast live and you're left with, yes, a limited number of people.

what, one or two at least huh? :rolleyes

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

When the one guy was talking about how ABC and Espn are liberally biased at the shareholders meeting yesterday, he should of instead talked about this issue at hand. I understand it's ABC's matter to handle but bringing this up at the meeting yesterday would've showed Iger that there are concerned parents worrying about what their kids see in the mass media. Talk about ABC being helpful. Sounds like they are just trying to avoid your concern.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Who knows. I rarely watch the commercials. I can't get to the basement TV right at 8, so I start the DVR and fast-forward through the commercials. And then I study in between the commercials I watch...I usually watch my shows several days later, so the idea of actual commercials and watching commercials...doesn't appeal.