Spanish-language TV networks, which also are perceived as being heavily cluttered, prove to have the highest percentage of programming time per prime-time hour, with only 14 minutes and 16 seconds of clutter.

"The mix of non-program content varied significantly across the three media: 31 percent of the non-program content on the Spanish Language networks was dedicated to promotional announcements while cable devoted 17 percent and broadcast 15 percent to promos," found the report, released Wednesday by Nielsen's Monitor-Plus unit.

The report, an annual recap of all forms of ad spending during 2005, also found another form of commercialization expanding within programming time: product placements. And the biggest contender was, well, NBC's "The Contender," with 7,502 product plugs during 2005--more than twice the branded mentions of the next closest contender, NBC's "The Apprentice," with 3,577 product mentions during the year.

Prime-time Clutter

  
                         Minutes:Seconds  
Network TV                         15:23  
Cable TV                           15:01  
Spanish-Language TV                14:16  

This news story is important. I recommend that everyone read it.