‘Leno Show’ leads in product placement

Chicago Tribune

It may be struggling to attract viewers, but NBC’s new “Jay Leno Show” leads prime time in one important category: product placement.

According to Nielsen data dug up by Time magazine, Leno’s new, five-nights-per-week show has tallied more than 1,000 product mentions since it premiered in September, more than 200 ahead of the second-place “WWE Monday Night Raw.”

Although Nielsen’s list did not differentiate between paid placements and mere product mentions, such lists serve as a warning to viewers about which shows will make you watch ads whether you use a DVR or not.

The rest of the top 10 list was, essentially, all of TV’s biggest reality shows (in order): “The Biggest Loser,” “American Idol,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “The Celebrity Apprentice,” “Top Chef: Las Vegas,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “Project Runway” and “Dancing With the Stars.” Nielsen said the most effective product placement was Subway sandwich chain in “The Biggest Loser.”