Where Public Service Ads Go To Die

Ah... AFN. Armed Forces Network (also known as Armed Forces Radio Television Service, Armed Forces Television, etc. depends on which part of the bureaucracy is referred to) does not run stateside commercials. So, anyone outside the US (whether those deployed to OIF/OEF, or stationed in Europe, Pacific, wherever) don't see the latest ads for the newest car, game, toy, restaurant, and have no idea if you can hear me now.

The reason for that is simple, and elegant. In order for television show producers to be willing to give the latest programming ("American Idol", "Survivor", etc.) to AFN for low or no price is that there is no advertising. Also keeps the host nations happy.

But what to do with all the time gaps where the commercials go?

Well, there are many, many Public Service Ads out there. And we are experts on them! We've become experts on adopting children overseas, marrying a foreign national, breast cancer awareness (don't get us started), how to change your oil, what dogs are banned in Europe, etc. And these ads are run in rotations of usually only 4-5 at a time. So, luckily, if you miss one... don't worry. You'll catch it all next month.

There's the Secretary of the Air Force telling us about the joint effort ("There are the Navy planes... there are the Air Force planes)... at holidays, we get each leader of the service with their family telling us how proud they are and how great our sacrifice is.

And a common favorite... some poor guy gets picked and all his family and friends record spots saying how proud they are. Then these are run ad nauseum. I can only imagine the guy being given a really hard time by the folks at his unit by the time it's done.

Anyway... the TV is always running, even if only in the background. And lately those wonderful PSA's have become more and more... noticeable, so to speak.

AFN - Where Public Service Ads Go to Die (if only!)

(Got a favorite AFN spot? Share it here)