Oscar Ad Spots

DROP FOR 30: A half minute of airtime on the Oscars broadcast costs between $1.3 million and $1.5 million, Ad Age points out. With ratings increases generated by the Super Bowl and the Grammys, advertisers are hoping the Oscars takes part in the trend. "It seems like a lot of these shows are picking up steam," said Perry. Oscar ratings hit a new low in 2008, down from about 38.9 million in 2007, according to Nielsen research. But they rebounded last year, pulling 36.3 million. (3/2a)