Final answer:
An infomercial is a longer form of television programming focused on selling a product through demonstrations and customer testimonials, complete with a toll-free number for viewers to make purchases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of paid television programming in which a particular product is demonstrated, explained, and offered for sale to viewers who call a toll-free number shown on the screen is known as an infomercial. An infomercial typically lasts longer than a typical commercial and is designed to be both informative and persuasive, encouraging viewers to purchase the featured product.
Given the vast amount of hours spent by Americans watching television, it is a powerful platform for marketers to reach their audience directly. By leveraging sophisticated viewer demographics, sponsors can effectively target their advertising to the most relevant audience, whether the viewers are watching a cartoon or a cooking show. As a lucrative segment of television programming, infomercials present a unique opportunity for companies to market their products to consumers in a direct, engaging manner.