"I think a lot of it is the shifting demographics of TV watchers" That's true, but I believe the pharma ads started because of a change in regulatory restricti

"I think a lot of it is the shifting demographics of TV watchers" That's true, but I believe the pharma ads started because of a change in regulatory restrictions that allowed them to advertise. If the demographics were different, cash-rich pharma would probably still use a ton of air time, it would just be ads for different target markets. Acne medications, ADHD meds, anti-depressants, smoking cessation drugs, etc.