Damn Those Advertisers!

It probably comes as a shock to most leftwingers, but when someone buys advertising from a television or radio network, they usually like to decide when and where that advertising will run. This is because the advertiser is interested in reaching the largest audience which is likely to buy the advertiser's product.

Yeah, I know this sounds like one of those "Duh!" moments, but there are obviously people on the left who just don't get how advertising works. That's why they are so upset that there are advertisers who aren't interested in advertising on fringe shows (via Echidne of the Snakes). Evidently, Media Matters, that intrepid media watchdog, doesn't understand how advertising works, either, given that they think there's some conspiracy involved here.

Sorry to be the one to break the news, but there's no conspiracy here. Advertisers like to put their ads in places where they will be seen and heard, not on programs where the network declares bankruptcy.

Of course, I realize this simple lesson in capitalism gets lost on lefties, who think advertisers should be forced to support programs which are against their interests but, hey, we aren't talking about NPR or PBS here, right? Those only get supported by those whiny taxpayers.