Curiously, many (I don't know the percentage, only the stations I worked with in the past) local news broadcasts have additional segments during the time slots for commercial breaks. If the commercial isn't airing, it's a segment.

Same is true of national news. If the commercial doesn't run, there's other (semi-throwaway) content. Same is true for national news during the weather segment, local news can splice in a local weather and if they don't, it's national or regional weather.

Because of this, they should be able to sell the non-overlay version with content instead of ads. Sure it's throwaway content, but at least it's not yelling at you to buy things.