TBS is "effectively sold out" of its guaranteed NLDS and NLCS ad inventory, according to Anthony Crupi of AD AGE. Turner Sports Exec VP/Ad Sales & Marketing Jon Diament said, "We've never been sold out quicker." Diament projected that TBS' postseason MLB revenue will "be up 10% versus last year, with endemic categories like auto, insurance, telecom, QSR/casual dining and financial services leading the way." New business is also "pouring in, particularly from the technology sector." Among the tech companies that will "leverage the playoffs as a launch pad for new brand campaigns are Amazon, Google and Hulu." T-Mobile "is the presenting sponsor of TBS's NLDS coverage, while ExxonMobil will present the NLCS telecasts." Both sponsors will also "back live streaming of their respective series on TBS.com and the Watch TBS app." Automakers have "snapped up plum positions leading into and out of each TBS postseason telecast, with Chrysler warming up the network's pre-game show and Ford's Lincoln Motor Company handling post-game duties." Meanwhile, Fox said that it is "pacing 10% to 15% ahead of last season's MLB sales, with strong demand coming from all quarters of the marketplace." The "biggest backers" of Fox' postseason coverage include official MLB sponsors A-B, Taco Bell, GM and MasterCard. Apple, the Hartford and DraftKings also are "in the mix." Media buyers said that the "average unit cost of a 30-second in-game spot is around $545,000 a pop." Fox "does not disclose its ad rates, saying only that its ad rates are up significantly versus last year's prices." Presenting sponsors and pre- and postgame sponsors for the ALDS, ALCS and World Series "have not been made public" (ADAGE.com, 10/8).
