- With just days to spare before Sunday's Super Bowl, NBCUniversal (CMCSA -3.1%) says it's sold out of ad inventory for the big game, and will feature more than 70 national commercials.
- That's a little closer than they might have liked -- much later than last year's sellout, which Fox (NASDAQ:FOX) achieved almost two months beforehand -- but this year at a higher price, a record $4.5M average per 30-second spot, and record total dollar volume.
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Auto advertisers in particular had been objecting to the premium pricing over the past year. Fifteen "rookie" advertisers join the ranks in 2015.
- Pre-show and post-show ads (cheaper than during the game, but still dear) are sold out as well.
- The last time it broadcast the Super Bowl, in 2012, NBC sold out ads on Jan. 3 (for $3.5M/30-second spot), but had slightly more inventory this time around.
- Previously: Madison Avenue cautious with Super Bowl XLIX (Jan. 07 2015)