Figuring out which television program would, after American Idol, next score a sponsor for the cups sitting on the desks of its hosts was a question we lobbed at So You Think You Can Dance, the Fox dancing competition now in its fourth season with unmarked blue cups placed before judges Nigel Lithgow & Co. just begging for a corporate beverage sponsor. We did not expect the question would be answered by a local television newscast.

Brava, then, to Las Vegas' KVVU, the Meredith Corp. local news broadcast that let McDonald's buy its way onto their program.

The cups of iced coffee — it is 100 degrees in Vegas — sit directly in front of the news anchors during the broadcast and, while getting plenty of screentime, are rarely touched by the talent.

Naturally, fears of advertiser conflicts of interest abound, begging the question: Will KVVU still report on McDonald's the company now that it's an advertiser? Supposedly, yes, though any negative story would have the cups removed from the set. (How about the news story about at least one Las Vegas McDonald's accepting reservations?)

To be fair, other local news stations across the country are accepting McDonald's product placements. A handful of other Meredith stations have deals, as do Tribune Co.'s WFLD in Chicago, and NYC's Univision 41. Blame the economy and whatnot, which is pinching the budget of local news operations desperate for any additional revenue.

But KVVU does have some standards. News director Adam Bradshaw says McDonald's placements do not appear during harder news broadcasts, such as the 5 and 10pm programs. Viewers will only see the cups during the 7-9am hour, when anchors are hosting a more lifestyle program, with lighter fare. You know, the part where they paint Vegas an enticing family destination and not a city that will rob you of your savings and your soul.

[NYT]