Admag

Admags or ad mags were an early alternative to the commercial break in the 1950s and 1960s, broadcast on the new commercial network ITV in the United Kingdom. Beginning as a result of the Television Act 1954, and designed mainly to provide advertising space for smaller companies which couldn't afford slots during regular ad breaks, admags became popular in their own right. Each had a loose story format, much like a soap opera, with each episode featuring a collection of commercially available products.

Programming

Jim's Inn

The most popular admag was Jims Inn, a soap opera starring Jimmy and Maggie Hanley. The show cleverly integrated products into well-written storylines.
By 1957, Jim's Inn had become so popular that Associated-Rediffusion claimed that it was now rivalling the popularity of long-established programmes on the BBC, such as The Archers. Jims Inn ran for 300 editions, and after the ban on admags in 1963, the couple appeared running "Jims Stores" in similar advertisements for Daz washing powder.

Elizabeth Goes Shopping

The first of the admags, Elizabeth Goes Shopping was hosted by Elizabeth Allan, who would visit upmarket London stores.

Other admags

Other admags included About Homes and Gardens, Bazaar, Fancy That!, For Pete's Sake, Girl With a Date and Home With Joy Shelton.

Ban

Parliament banned admags in 1963 after a 1962 report by Sir Harry Pilkington into the practices of the nascent ITV network which condemned the format. Product placement would not be allowed again on British television until 2011.