Can Macromedia Flash be used to create animated television
commercials? If not what are the programs typically used to produce
animated TV ads.

My gut tells me the answer to your question is "yes."
But you would have to find a way to import your
material onto some video format - 3/4 tape, beta,
or DV. How's the resolution on that? Not sure.
Will it meet brocasting standards? Dunno.
How do you do that? You would have to check
out a program like Final Cut Pro that may be able to
convert your Flash content.
Most animated programs used to be done on "cels" and
filmed (or video taped). Today, I believe the industry
has gotten computerized and each "cel" is created and
transfered into a program as mentioned earlier.
Hope this helps.