What the hell does paid programming mean?

I mean really! ALL PROGRAMMING IS PAID FOR! Except for maybe public access or PBS its ALL paid programming! So why does the History Channel, Discovery Channel etc call their shows at this hour "Piad Programming"?? All their other shows are paid for by the commercials! Why dont they just list it as "Commercial"?!?!

Ok yes Im making to much of this....

I mean really! ALL PROGRAMMING IS PAID FOR! Except for maybe public access or PBS its ALL paid programming! So why does the History Channel, Discovery Channel etc call their shows at this hour "Piad Programming"?? All their other shows are paid for by the commercials! Why dont they just list it as "Commercial"?!?!

Ok yes Im making to much of this....

BackHatch

The other shows are 'sponsored' by commercials. Discovery or whoever says "We're going to air this show at this time, here's the demographic we're targeting, who wants to sponsor and have their commercials shown during this time?"

Paid programming is simply where someone buys airtime and puts their own show in the time slot.

there are laws as to how much advertising you can do in a certain time period so it is crucial if your going to air something that is ALL commercial to notify the viewer.