Final answer:
The practice of changing channels during ad breaks in TV programs to avoid commercials is known as zapping. Viewers use this method to skip ads and continue watching their preferred programs uninterrupted. Zapping has changed the way advertising is consumed and has led to the development of more targeted advertising strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practice of changing channels during ad breaks in TV programs to avoid commercials is known as zapping. Zapping refers to the action of rapidly switching channels to skip the advertisements. Viewers often use this method to bypass commercials and continue watching their preferred programs without interruption.
This practice has become more common with the proliferation of cable and satellite providers, as well as the availability of on-demand programming and streaming services. These alternatives allow viewers to watch content without being tied to a schedule and often offer ad-free options. However, some networks now incorporate commercials into on-demand content to generate advertising revenues.
Overall, zapping has changed the way advertising is consumed and has led to the development of more targeted advertising strategies, such as narrowcasting, which involves segmenting programming into genres and targeting specific audiences.