[Mariner]

"or if they were sensible enough to include ratings numbers in the commitment contract"

The networks have a floor for each show, with bonuses for each ratings tier.

Now, all those advertisers are stuck with the air time, but won't have to pay anything beyond the floor.

Which is likely very substantial.

Fox must carry the debate. The advertisers must pay the minimum. Of course, the deal was they expected Trump to be there and draw 20mil+ viewers.

Fox and the advertisers are both kinda screwed as they try to compete with Donald's Red, White and Blue Veterans Show.

On CNN or MSNBC.

[Seattle Conservative]

Thanks for the explanation - I was wondering how the fees that the advertisers pay for the debates was calculated. I remember Trump saying that CNN started off charging $x and raised it a lot after the 1st debate on Fox. Wasn’t sure if the $s were set and if the advertisers were going to get stuck paying a lot more for what will probably be much less viewers.