eBay has dropped its sponsorship of PBS' "Antiques Roadshow." AuctionBytes has confirmed that eBay will not renew its corporate underwriting of the popular program, which is produced by PBS affiliate WGBH in Boston. Leslie Sepuka, a spokesperson for the Roadshow, told AuctionBytes, "We're grateful for their [eBay's] support this season, which will continue through the end of this year. We've had a very good partnership." eBay has sponsored the popular PBS television series for the past two years.
There was no reason given by eBay for ending their sponsorship of the show. According to eBay spokesperson, Kevin Pursglove, the auction Site will be looking at other marketing options. eBay is also hoping to air their own television program in the fall of this year.
When asked who will be replacing eBay as a sponsor for the program, Sepuka said, "We're still looking for new funders. It's not going to affect any of the programming that we're doing now. This affects the 2003 season."
