• The Washington Post, Monday, February 9, 2009 9:16 AM

President Obama's desire to talk to the American public could cost broadcast networks millions of prime-time TV dollars. Broadcasters are bracing themselves for the likelihood of three prime-time interruptions in three weeks, totaling a loss of at least three hours of prime ad breaks. "His economic stimulus package apparently does not extend to the TV networks," one network exec notes.

The president's news conference today is expected to eat up the first hour of prime time; costing broadcasters more than $9 million in lost ad revenue. Obama's also mulling a shorter prime-time appearance Feb. 16, and on Feb. 24, he will give the equivalent of a two-hour State of the Union speech.

Monday preemptions are particularly problematic for broadcasters, since they are one of the most competitive nights this season. Today, for instance, to accommodate Obama, Fox will have to pull an original episode of its popular "House." Price tag: about $3 million. Broadcasters worry that this approach to prime-time preempting might be part of an Obama strategy to charm his way to a new economic-rescue plan. "Is this what it's going to be: Is he going to take to the airwaves every time he has something to say?" says one.

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