TV Basics: Top 25 Broadcast Network TV Categories
Seven advertising categories spent more than $1 billion each on network television in 2008. Topping the list was Automotive with over $2.7 billion; Communications/Telecommunications followed with almost $2.1 billion, and Prescription Medication & Pharmaceutical Houses came in third with over $1.7 billion.

Rank
Category
  
2008
1 Automotive 2,737,385,200  
2 Communications/Telecommunications 2,066,871,500  
3 Prescription Medication and Pharm.Houses 1,745,303,900  
4 Restaurants 1,525,053,300  
5 Toiletries & Cosmetics 1,398,476,200  
6 Motion Pictures 1,255,691,200  
7 Financial 1,209,533,400  
8 Food & Food Products 946,630,000  
9 Medicines & Remedies (excluding Rx) 870,417,500  
10 Beverages 650,576,100  
11 Household Soaps, Cleaners, Polishes & Supplies 637,440,700  
12 Insurance 615,747,900  
13 Department Stores 487,364,200  
14 Audio and Video Equipment & Supplies 471,375,900  
15 Discount Department Stores 459,451,900  
16 Beer & Wine 455,019,300  
17 Computers & Software 432,809,100  
18 Travel, Hotels & Resorts 360,480,000  
19 Home Centers & Hardware Stores 328,201,000  
20 Confectionery & Snacks 323,856,000  
21 Games, Toys & Hobbycraft 229,899,400  
22 Apparel, Footwear & Accessories 229,698,100  
23 Consumer Electronics & Video Stores 191,466,200  
24 Clothing Stores 171,563,000  
25 Household Appliances & Equipment 140,529,200  

Source: Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) from estimates supplied by TNS Media Intelligence.

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