Final answer:
The correct statement is that commercials became shorter as advertisers turned to shorter spots to control their media costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement about the length of television commercials is option C: Commercials became shorter because advertisers turned to shorter spots as a way of controlling their media costs.
In the past, television commercials were often longer and incorporated product placements within the program. However, as technology and media have evolved, consumers now have the ability to skip or bypass traditional advertisements. This has led to a decrease in advertising revenue for newspapers and television, prompting companies to find new ways of reaching consumers.
Advertisers have adapted to this shift by creating shorter commercial spots to control their media costs and cater to the changing viewing habits of consumers.