Grey's Anatomy Diagnosed with Distended Ad Prices

• Oct 1, 2007 01:53 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

Grey's Anatomy is this TV season's most expensive show for advertisers to buy into, commanding on average $419,000 per 30-second spot, says an Advertising Age survey. Last fall's titleholder was Desperate Housewives, which drew $394K.

Rounding out this year's top five are NBC's Sunday Night Football ($358,000), The Simpsons ($315,000), Heroes ($296,000) and the ladies of Wisteria Lane ($270,000).

Come January, Grey's riches could look like peanuts compared to what American Idol stands to reap. Ad Age hears that Idol is asking for anywhere from $500,000 to $700,000 per :30, depending on when during the season the commercial gets slotted. The next round of 24, meanwhile, is said to be looking at $300K per incredulous plot twist spot.