As opposed to other types of advertising, direct response TV commercials are designed to create an immediate reaction from the viewers, where each viewer's response can be measured and then analyzed for the advertisement's improvement.

Direct response television marketing is when an advertiser airs a long commercial over a television network describing their product to the viewer. Many of these commercials have become known as infomercials. The advertisement offers a product but requires action from the viewer usually in the form of calling a toll free number for ordering.

Frank R. Brady has written:

'Direct response television' -- subject(s): Television advertising, Production and direction, Television, Advertising media planning

I just called DirecTV and asked them to tell me who regulates them in California and received "we are not allowed to give out that information" as the response. When I inquired as to why they could not give out that information, the response was "it's a policy, sir." Dead end.

There can be many disadvantages with TV advertisements, including the money needed to buy the advertisement slots on cable. They may also be out of date or have time sensitive specials running.