The TV show Lost is nearing the end of its run, and with the anticipated finale looming, ad costs for the program have shot up. Ad Age is reporting that ABC expects between $850,000 and $950,000 for a single 30-second ad slot during the final episode.
Reports were that a similar slot last year for Lost cost only a little over $200,000, meaning that this year has seen a 400 percent increase. Lost will occupy a three-hour block on Sunday, May 23, with an hour-long recap starting at 8 PM. The last episode will run from 9 PM to 11 PM.
“There are many advertisers willing to pay a reasonable premium for inventory in programs that generate such a highly passionate and rabid fan base,” said Kris Magel, exec VP-director, national broadcast at Interpublic Group of Cos.’ Initiative. “There is definitely value in that.”
