Low Ratings End Show and a Product Placement

Even in a fictional world, it seems, General Motors cannot catch a break. The struggling car company's splashy deal to integrate two vehicles into the NBC drama "My Own Worst Enemy" hit a snag Thursday when the network confirmed that it was canceling the series after only four episodes had been shown. The partnership represented a big push for both GM, which has sought new ways to market cars and trucks in a troubled economy, and NBC, which has aggressively recruited advertisers to underwrite some of the production costs of its shows. The demise of "My Own Worst Enemy" highlights the risks of the advertiser partnerships that NBC and other broadcasters are turning to. But the network is not backing away from the model; if anything, it is doubling down.