Since last week, one presidential candidate has had an entire satellite TV channel promoting his campaign.
Englewood, CO, based Dish Network is running an Obama Channel, located on the satellite network’s channel 73. In addition, DishNet subscribers watching other channels see an on-screen option to duck out of commercials in order to select the Obama channel.
The channel purchase by the Barack Obama campaign is among the most unusual media buy of any presidential campaign.
According to a statement from the satellite company, “DISH Network Channel 73 is paid advertising by the Obama campaign and is not an endorsement of Senator Obama by DISH Network. DISH Network made the same offer to the McCain campaign, an offer that remains open.” The offers were made simultaneously, a spokesman said. The channel will remain up through Nov. 4.
The Obama channel is running the candidate’s two-minute economic ad, “Barack Obama’s Plan for America,” another ad, and the video that was shown at Invesco Field before the Democratic nominee’s acceptance speech.
DishNet said it charged “no more than what we charge a commercial advertiser,” to lease an infommercial channel. All the financial particulars are “to be available in our FCC public file.”
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
