Infomercial facts for kids
An infomercial is a special kind of TV commercial that looks a lot like a regular TV show. Its main goal is to promote or sell a product, service, or idea. Infomercials usually show a special phone number or website where viewers can learn more or buy something.
These long commercials are often called "paid programming" and typically last about 28 or 58 minutes. Infomercials first became popular in the United States. They were often shown late at night or early in the morning when fewer people were watching regular shows. Some TV channels even show infomercials all day long! Today, infomercials are a huge business, worth billions of dollars.
The word "infomercial" combines "information" and "commercial". Just like any other ad, it's a message created by a sponsor to share their ideas and interests. Infomercials are often made to look like real TV programs, such as talk shows or even short stories.
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What is an Infomercial?
Infomercials are designed to get people to act right away. They often have short commercial breaks within the longer program, asking viewers to call a number or visit a website. Many people also end up buying these products later in stores. Sometimes, advertisers choose not to sell their products in stores at first, using infomercials to reach customers directly.
Products You Might See
Infomercials promote many different kinds of products. You might see ads for cleaning supplies, kitchen gadgets, health products, books, music collections, exercise machines, and beauty items. Big companies like Apple and Microsoft have even used infomercials to tell more detailed stories about their products. Local businesses, like car dealerships or jewelers, also use infomercials to reach customers in their area.
The History of Infomercials
Infomercials have a long history, even going back to the early days of television. Back then, some TV shows were made just to sell products. For example, soap operas got their name because soap companies sponsored them!
The very first filmed half-hour infomercial was for a Vitamix blender in 1949. It was a big success, bringing in many orders!
One of the most famous "pitchmen" (people who demonstrate and sell products) was Ron Popeil. He started on TV in 1956, showing off inventions like the "Chop-O-Matic." He's famous for the phrase, "but wait, there's more!"
For a while, there were rules about how much advertising could be shown on TV. This made it harder for long infomercials to air. However, some, like those for music albums, found ways around the rules by playing snippets of songs.
In the 1970s, you might have seen "hard sell" ads for products like Ginsu knives, often late at night. These ads were very direct and tried to convince you to buy right away.
Infomercials Grow in Popularity
In 1984, rules about how long TV commercials could be were changed in the United States. This opened the door for modern infomercials to become very popular.
One of the first people to create these new infomercials was Ray Lindstrom in 1984. He helped promote real estate and other products, earning him the nickname "Mr. Infomercial." Another pioneer was Kevin Harrington, who started using late-night TV slots for infomercials in 1985. He became known as the "infomercial godfather."
By 1994, most TV stations were showing infomercials. They often featured experts or well-known people to help sell products.
When and Where You See Them
When infomercials first became popular, they were mostly shown late at night or early in the morning. But over time, TV stations realized they could make money by showing them at other times too, even during the day or early evening. There are even TV channels that show only infomercials!
Sometimes, if a regular commercial break doesn't have enough ads, TV networks might show a short infomercial instead.
Infomercials and Kids' TV
In 2009, the Fox network started showing infomercials on Saturday mornings. Before that, they used to show children's cartoons. This change meant that some kids' programming slots were replaced with paid programming. However, some local stations chose to show educational shows for kids instead of infomercials.
Rules in the United States, like the Children's Television Act of 1990, limit how many commercials can be shown during kids' TV shows. These rules also stop shows from being one big advertisement for toys or products related to the show itself.
Fun Infomercial Parodies
Because infomercials have such a distinct style, they are often parodied (made fun of in a humorous way).
- The TV show Saturday Night Live had a famous "Bassomatic" skit in the 1970s that made fun of product demonstrations.
- The Adult Swim block on Cartoon Network sometimes airs short comedy films that look like infomercials but are actually funny parodies. These often make fun of the common ways real infomercials try to sell things.
Other Ways Infomercials Are Used
Politicians and Infomercials
Sometimes, politicians use infomercial-like programs to share their ideas with the public. They buy time on TV channels to explain their plans and encourage people to support them. For example, in 2008, a presidential candidate bought a 30-minute slot during prime time on several major networks to present a "closing argument" to their campaign. This program was watched by millions of viewers!
Who Makes Infomercials?
Companies like Guthy-Renker and Telebrands are well-known for creating infomercials. They find products, make the infomercials, buy the TV time, and handle all the sales. Sometimes, they work with inventors to bring new products to TV. There are also many other companies that help with different parts of the infomercial business, from making the videos to handling customer service.
Infomercials Around the World
Infomercials started in the United States and have spread to many other countries, including Canada, Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia. However, the rules and ways they are shown can be different in each country. For example, in Canada, there used to be rules that infomercials could only use still pictures, not moving videos. These rules have changed over time.
See Also
- Advertorial
- Direct response television
- Home shopping
- Television advertisement
