• New York Post, Thursday, August 19, 2010 10:40 PM

Top cable networks are riding a rebound in ad sales, thanks in large part, to the return of big-spending automotive and financial advertisers. Several networks are nearly sold out of airtime in the third quarter, according to ad sales executives. One executive said several channels have sold between 93% and 99% of their available inventory. Among them are Turner Broadcasting, which owns TNT and TBS, NBC Universal's USA and Discovery Communications.

David Levy, chief of Turner Broadcasting's ad sales, confirmed that TNT, TBS and TruTV are approaching sell-out levels, adding that there has been huge demand for Conan O'Brien's new late-night show on TBS, as well as other shows, including "Rizzoli & Isles," a new series. A source familiar with Discovery Communications -- home to Discovery and Animal Planet, among other channels -- said it was also "close to sell-out."

Read the whole story at New York Post »