Q: It seems that TV commercials are becoming more numerous. I believe it once was no more than 7 minutes for every 30 minutes. Is this still the average? What is the current allotment?
—Bob Allen, Cumming
A: Clutter time, which combines TV advertising, promos and public service announcements, averaged 13 minutes, 32 seconds per hour on broadcast networks like ABC and NBC, but increased to 16:59 an hour on cable networks in the first quarter of 2013, according to Adweek. The magazine reported last June that CMT and Spike averaged the most clutter time – more than 20 minutes per hour – and had programming hours of 38:41 and 39:52. Shows on Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, OWN and TLC were around 42 minutes, and TBS had an average of 41:31 of original programming an hour, according to the article, which was based on a private Nielsen research report acquired by Adweek. In 1996, clutter time was at 9:53 an hour for broadcast and 12:46 for cable. It had increased to 15:48 (broadcast) and 14:55 (cable) by 2004. The FCC guidelines for the amount of TV ads per hour was dropped in 1985 and Adweek reported that Nielsen hasn't released a public clutter report since 2006.
Q: The old Roswell post office at 1200 Grimes Bridge Road has been refurbished. How is this building being used?
—Yolanda T. Rossi, Roswell
A: ILM Academy, metro Atlanta's first private, parent-run, nonprofit Islamic school, acquired the building for $750,000 in December 2012 and completed renovations in August, according to its website (ilm-academy.com). The school also has plans to build an outdoor park and play area adjacent to the building.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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