The BBC announced plans to put pre-roll ads on its broadband news video a few months back. For a few weeks, all the ads were for other BBC programmes.
But now, the first commercial ads have appeared on the video. A commercial for Delta Airlines is on video about Bush’s comments on the Armenian genocide bill and on video of a school shooting in the US, as well as several others. Delta seems to be the only advertiser at the moment.
Revenue from the ads is intended to meet the costs of providing broadband video clips internationally. (Anyone viewing in the UK is spared the pre-roll ads).
The commercials are 30 seconds long, which is just a little too much, especially when you are waiting for a one-minute world news summary.