Channel One News began their broadcast season almost one month later than normal on September 4. Since that date Channel One has had very few advertisers.
This is good news for those who would like to see this company disappear from public schools. It is very obvious that companies continue to be frighten of advertising in classrooms. Advertisers risk a backlash against their products and services if they force their ads on a captive audience of schoolchildren.
Cingular (now AT&T) and Verizon Wireless were once big advertisers on Channel One but have now taken their ads off the show. The U.S. government used to run an enormous amount of anti-drug PSAs on the program but they dropped Channel One probably because Channel One ran ads for movies and TV shows that promoted underage drinking and drug use among minors.
Gatorade still has a presence on the show but we have seen no regular product ads, only sponsored segments meant to create brand loyalty.
The military has some sponsored segments this year but we have seen no regular recruitment ads yet. They may be coming.
Channel One News does not have enough revenue coming in to survive. How long will Alloy Media and Marketing pump money into this perennial money losing company is the big question.
If a company does decide to usurp school time with their commercial messages, then we will tell the world who they are.
On Monday, September 17, Channel One News had no regular commercials. They had two sponsored segments by the Knight Foundation and by the Navy.
On September 11, Channel One News told students they would have no advertising on their "special" September 11th edition of Channel One News. They conveyed the message that they thought they were making a sacrifice in order to honor the day. However the last five years their September 11th program has contained commercials.
