Final answer:
Commercial stations indeed receive financial support through advertising, which is a true statement. They generate revenue by selling ad spots to businesses and corporations. Additionally, satellite radio services like SiriusXM offer a subscription-based alternative with no commercials.
Step-by-step explanation:
Commercial stations indeed rely on financial support through advertising. This is a true statement. By selling advertising spots, commercial radio and television stations are able to generate revenue. This process involves local businesses and corporations underwriting programs in return for on-air acknowledgments, which serve as advertisements for their products or services. While public broadcasting may receive funding from additional sources, such as viewer and listener support, state and local governments, as well as foundations, most mass media rely heavily on advertising for revenue.
The market dynamics around broadcasting and advertising also include pressure from advertisers to favor politically innocuous over provocative programs, potentially influencing the content. Moreover, in the case of satellite radio services like SiriusXM, consumers can opt for a subscription-based model that offers music streaming without the interruption of commercials. This provides an alternative to the traditional ad-supported format, but the service is excludable, meaning only those who pay for the subscription can access the content.