Final answer:
Airing commercials for sleep medication during late night hours is an example of advertising, which is the strategic timing of ads to target specific audiences. Television advertising allows companies to target demographics effectively, a practice that has evolved due to technology and globalization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Airing commercials for sleep medication during late night hours is an example of advertising. This term refers to the strategic planning of when advertisements are shown to maximize their effectiveness and target the appropriate audience. Late-night commercials for sleep aids target viewers who may be experiencing sleeplessness, making the timing of such ads critical for catching the attention of potential consumers.
Given that nearly every U.S. household possesses a television and a significant number of hours watched annually, television advertising allows companies to reach consumers effectively. Advertisers take advantage of television viewing patterns and demographics to strategically place their ads. For example, ads for children's toys are likely to be broadcast during cartoon programming while more adult-oriented products like sleep aids are shown late at night.
Technology and globalization have also shaped how and when advertisements are shown. In the past, a single advertiser would sponsor a program and integrate their products into the show. However, as television evolved with the advent of cable and satellite, advertisers gained the ability to more precisely target their ads toward specific demographics by choosing relevant times and channels to broadcast their commercials.