The Apocalypse Will Be Televised

The Mayan prophecy be damned, this fall the networks load up on doom

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

In 1983, the same year President Ronald Reagan gave his hawkish “evil empire” speech, ABC aired The Day After, a made-for-TV movie about a full-scale nuclear war between the Soviet Union and the U.S.

Those marketers brave enough to wade into politically charged waters were rewarded with the largest audience in history for an original TV movie. Some 100 million people—or, a Super Bowl-sized audience—watched Armageddon unfold in Lawrence, Kan.

Scaring the bejeezus out of TV viewers was good business then, and it remains so.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in