Final answer:
The statement suggesting that few children's programs are aired on network television due to advertiser disinterest is false. Historically, children's television has been a valuable platform for advertisers, and with niche cable channels, advertisers continue to target the younger demographic effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Few children's programs are aired on network television because most advertisers are less interested in reaching that audience' can be considered false. In the history of television, children's programs have been used effectively by advertisers to reach their target market, especially through integrated marketing during popular shows. In the 1950s, shows like The Mickey Mouse Club and The Howdy Doody Show were sponsored by advertisers targeting children with products like Silly Putty and Hula-Hoops. During the 1980s, popular cartoons such as My Little Ponies and G.I. Joe were tied to toy lines, which essentially made the cartoons into extended commercials.
Moreover, the assertion ignores the development of niche cable channels that provide platforms for advertisers to target specific demographics, including children. Channels like Nick Jr. have been successful in attracting audiences and thereby advertisers who wish to reach a younger demographic. The shift in advertising patterns and network strategies with the advent of cable and satellite broadcasting in the 1980s to present times further undermines the statement. Channels such as ESPN and CSPAN focused on specialized content, allowing advertisers to target audiences more effectively, including the lucrative 18-49 age group, which does affect the diversity and the availability of children's programming.
While it's true that television networks primarily seek to attract demographics with a high purchasing power, such as the 18-49 age group, it does not necessarily mean that children's programs are scarce. Rather, programming for children has evolved with different methods of delivering content, including dedicated children's television networks and online streaming platforms that appeal to younger viewers and their parents.