The TV Zone

AMC’s hot yet cool new drama series “Mad Men” may take place in the world of advertising -- the title plays off the macho suits of 1960 Madison Avenue –-- but its creators would rather their show run without commercials, thank you very much.

This irony, reported this week in Advertising Age, may yet come to pass in some form or other. No, AMC isn’t returning to its commercial-free glory days. (We pause here for film buffs’ nostalgic sigh.) However, next Thursday’s season finale (Oct. 18 at 10 p.m.) begins with a “tailored opening” crediting DirecTV as the hour’s sole advertiser. The climactic episode then airs with no breaks. Afterward, DirecTV sponsors an inside peek at the program’s wrap party.

The desire to shape a story uninterrupted by often blaring ads comes naturally to “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner. He cut his drama teeth writing for HBO’s “The Sopranos,” which could easily build its mercurial moods thanks to the premium channel’s ad-free status. And like “The Sopranos,” Weiner’s sophisticated “Mad Men” appeals to an upscale adult demographic. It’s one that youth-oriented broadcast networks may spurn but that niche cablers like AMC do well to cultivate. Ad Age reports nearly a third of the show’s audience of around 1 million boasts household income topping $100,000.

In other words, they can buy lots of stuff. We’ll see whether DirecTV’s one-time restraint leads to an enduring break-free future.

[AMC photo above: Ad exec Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and model Eleanor Ames (Megan Stier) get acquainted.]