Paid programming
Infomercial is a portmanteau word (of information and commercial) describing a commercial that is the length of normal television program, usually designed to sell a certain product. Infomercials are also referred to as paid programming.
Infomercials, usually 30 minutes to an hour in length, are often shown late at night, early in the morning, or other off-peak times when broadcasting is less expensive. In order to be profitable, the products sold are usually priced five or more times their wholesale cost.
Well known infomercial personalities include Ron Popeil and Mike Levey. Ron Popeil created the industry in the 1960s. Mike Levey revolutionized the industry in the 1980s with the introduction of "Amazing Discoveries", an infomercial that ran weekly in a television series format.
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