how-to block ads
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bokamba
Chengdu Rocks
Premium
join:2002-04-05
Falls Church, VA | This is economically legitimate
Ads are the major source of revenue for TV channels. If broadcast TV didn't have ads, it wouldn't exist. So if you are guaranteed not to have any commercials, you are one less ad viewer who will have to pay full price to watch. | |
G_Poobah
join:2004-01-17
Schenectady, NY
| Selling a DVR that records shows, and skips ads is also an economically legitimate service.
Past profit centers in no way guarantee you the right to continue to make a profit in the future. Why the **AA's don't get that is beyond me. Technology empowers the customer, and THAT's the root cause of their concerns. Once they loose control over what you can do, their existing business models of 'prime time' and 'must see tv' go to hell.
We the customers are under ZERO obligation to watch commercials. We the customers are under ZERO obligation to buy the products advertised. We the customers have EVERY right to watch TV the way we want to watch TV. We PAID for it. Maybe we didn't pay enough for it! Maybe they need to jack the price way up to make up for lack of advertising. Of course, if they do that, they will loose tons of customers. Hmm.. tough decision to make there, but it's not my problem.
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Grand Poobah | |
B777300
join:2002-01-02
| reply to bokamba
said by bokamba  :Ads are the major source of revenue for TV channels. If broadcast TV didn't have ads, it wouldn't exist. So if you are guaranteed not to have any commercials, you are one less ad viewer who will have to pay full price to watch. Yes, but now we will have the option to remove the ads, So a consumer will have 2 options, to remove the ads or to live with them. In the past, It was balanced, They knew too much ads would keep consumers away and too little ads would generate no profit. It was balanced good life. But what scares me is that we will be flooded with ads, cause you have 2 options, to live with them or remove them, So if you called to complain, they would tell you to pay an extra $10 to remove the ads.
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Can you say fiber optics? | |
Damon85
Premium
join:2004-12-25
Louisville, KY
| reply to G_Poobah
Likewise, they have ZERO obligation to allow you to watch their programming on your terms. You will watch it on their terms at their rates.
If they ever offer you terms to view their content without advertisements, you're more than welcome to pay for that privilege... it looks like that's what Microsoft is trying to setup for you. | |
AkumalDave
Life's A Beach
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-20
Minneapolis, MN
| reply to bokamba
said by bokamba :Ads are the major source of revenue for TV channels. If broadcast TV didn't have ads, it wouldn't exist. True. But, as has already been noted, advertising used to have boundaries. Now, there are none. "Ads" have gone from traditional commercials to product placement.
Skip all the commercials you want and you'll still be barriaged by "Budweiser kickoffs", "Napa field summaries" or Nike "swooshes" on golf balls. Do you think that Cisco logo just happened to appear on last season's "24"? Or the "...the Cisco system is self-healing" line of dialog (that one ruined the whole episode for me)?
I pay DirecTV a bundle of money each month to deliver a collection of programming sources to my TVs. I don't "owe" anyone else anything, IMHO. In fact, I even take issue with the "pay TV" channels (Showtime, HBO) doing repeated promos for their own shows and, especially, to their new "infomercials" on the making of in-the-theater-now movies.
Wanna get me to watch a commercial? Make it clever and/or sexy. Try to charge me to skip one? No way!
Dave
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"...enjoy every sandwich..." Warren Zevon 1947-2003 | |
G_Poobah
join:2004-01-17
Schenectady, NY
| reply to Damon85
Umm, I DO pay for that privilege! I paid for a replay 4000, and a myth-tv box!
But please show me the contract I signed that said I have to watch the commercials? As far as I know, I paid the cable company to deliver the signals into my house.
Once they are in my house, do I have a right to record them? Absolutely.
So, once I record the shows, I have a right to time shift it? Well, all I'm doing in the time shift is 'time shifting it 2 minutes forward', to avoid the commercials.
Now, maybe you could argue that skipping commercials is 'changing what the show is'. i.e. the show is presented 'as is', and the commercials are part of the show. Hmm.. but wait, aren't their DIFFERENT commercials in different markets? Why, I believe there are! So, in that case, the commercials cannot be 'part of the show'. So saving the show with all the commercials cut out is NOT altering the show in any way!
Give it up. It's not my fault that technology is making their revenue model obsolete. Your idea works only if they made myth-tv illegal.
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Grand Poobah | |
Damon85
Premium
join:2004-12-25
Louisville, KY
| The revenue from the purchase of your hardware did not pay for the content you're watching (and abusing) to be created. Do you see why that model does not work?
If there is no revenue to create content, then no content will be created. You cannot hold all of the cards in this situation. I know you want to and feel it's necessary, but it's just not feasible.
It's not their fault your "I want everything for free" model does not pay for their content to be created. | |
AkumalDave
Life's A Beach
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-20
Minneapolis, MN
| reply to G_Poobah
said by G_Poobah :Your idea works only if they made myth-tv illegal. Don't go giving anyone ideas now...!
I remember TV's that used to have audio limiters built-in, so you could keep the LOUD commercials from overpowering your room.
I also remember Magnavox (I think), marketing a "Commercial skip / mute" feature.
They both went the way of the dodo - and I doubt it was due to lack of demand. Someone exerted pressure on the manufacturers. Just like they did with Region Encoding on DVDs.
Dave
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"...enjoy every sandwich..." Warren Zevon 1947-2003 | |
G_Poobah
join:2004-01-17
Schenectady, NY
| reply to Damon85
So, you are admitting that their model is incompatible with technology? I mean, everything you've said states that all the new technology will cause the end of TV. If that's the case, then there are only 2 solutions.
#1: Let the networks crash and die. Let a new business model that works with this technology be created.
#2: Make all the technology illegal. Ban the manufacture, sale, distribution of devices that can be used in illegal means. But, lets not stop there, we need to ban the internet, cause that could be used to get shows illegally too. Of course, the rest of the world won't care, and will continue to advance technologically. So in 10 years, when the canadians invade, we will all be content sheep, welcoming our new overlord masters.
Again, I state, Why is it MY fault their revenue model is falling apart?
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Grand Poobah | |
Damon85
Premium
join:2004-12-25
Louisville, KY
| Because you are supporting the javelin that is tearing it apart. That makes it your fault. Now, please take "fault" as being a negative, when it's not.
If you want to let the television networks fall apart, go ahead. In fact, why don't you start your own network and fund it yourself? There are entirely too many people like you who can't see fit to pay for services they utilize. TV Networks have operating costs, too. I expect you like to be paid for the work you do -- so do they. Do you know where they get their pay? Advertising. That's broadcast networks only. Cable-only networks get their revenue from two sources: licensing fees to distributors and advertising. I believe you suggested raising the licensing fees to eliminate advertising, that would be fine.
Then we can hear people just like you bitch about how cable costs $400/month, it's WAY too much, and that somehow has bestown upon you the right to steal the content for which you don't think you should pay.
Where did all of this entitlement come from? | |
Jamuka
join:2005-06-06
| reply to Damon85
Sorry, no you are wrong. Somebody figured out a way to skip commercials under terms which DID NOT REQUIRE ME TO WATCH COMMERCIALS! They've basically been offering me a way to view the content without advertisements until now. Technology allows me to do this, so they are the ones that are changing the terms on what I already paid for. Now they want me to pay more for something that they view in their eyes as a violation of some non-existent terms. Should I pay extra for ads in a newspaper as well? I don't have to look at those either. | |
jwersan
R.I.P. Mom, Brian, Ziggy, and RichK1957
Premium
join:2004-12-20
Port Jefferson Station, NY
clubs:
 ·Optimum Online
| reply to Damon85
I don't know how old YOU are, but I am old enough to remember when commercial breaks did not last more that one minute to two minutes, and there had to be a certain amount of program BEFORE they could break away again. TV is free to the consumer (The people who watch it), commercials are how the networks pay for the shows and make profits. In fact the programs were created so they COULD make money.
What has happened now is that in a greedy thirst for MORE money, the stations have trimmed content and added more commercials, this has brought us to the present problem. Too many commercials, to the point where almost ALL of us want to avoid them and get back to the show...
The fault lies with the stations, not the users who are now trying to AVOID all the commercials...
Next time you watch a show, figure out how much of the time is ACTUALLY just commercials, in a one hour show you will see MORE THAN 10 minutes of commercials!!!
The stations would be BETTER served if they CUT BACK on the number of commercials and added more content, if a commercial break only lasted a minute, I doubt that most people would even try to avoid the commercials, thus the stations have achieved a win in that we are now watching the commercials...
That is the model they should be shooting for.. | |
jwersan
R.I.P. Mom, Brian, Ziggy, and RichK1957
Premium
join:2004-12-20
Port Jefferson Station, NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
edit:
September 23rd, @04:28PM
| On a SIDE note, lets look at the super-bowl, some of the MOST EXPENSIVE commercial time of the year, people actually tune into the game JUST to watch the commercials!!!
Why does this happen, because unlike most of the other commercials we are FORCED to endure the rest of the year, these are VERY entertaining!!
Maybe the advertisers need to look at the commercials they are producing, and improve them.. ( I HATE the new Wendy's commercial with the tooth, to the point that until it is OFF the air, I will not eat there!)
I personally tape the super-bowl JUST to watch the commercials, should I get CREDIT for watching these commercials, since I do NOT watch the game!?!?!? | |
lazarus_
join:2002-08-31
Resolute, NU
edit:
September 23rd, @04:36PM
| reply to bokamba
said by bokamba :Ads are the major source of revenue for TV channels. If broadcast TV didn't have ads, it wouldn't exist. So if you are guaranteed not to have any commercials, you are one less ad viewer who will have to pay full price to watch. It's not legitamate (you tool). When people had VCR's, they recorded the show and fwd'd through the commercials. Now because people have DVR's, T.V stations think they can start product placements, more commercials, and now you pay more if you fwd through the ads? WTF.. I wish them all the luck.
Maybe they can make a T.V series like "The Cast Away" one big freaken commercial for FedEx or some other company, and the best part for them is that you pay to watch their crappy show and forced to watch the 10mins of commercials . 
If T.V networks were smart, they would offer two different versions of their channels. One commercial free WITH NO PRODUCT PLACEMENTS IN THE SHOW! (at a premium price) and one with commercials and all the product placements they can get in there. (using bluescreen technology).
Sponsors are loosers anyways. They force the networks to sensor, and cutback on show time for more commercial time.
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Once you watch it, you can't un-watch it! | |
asdfdfdf
@xtraport.net
 from:
somebodeez
guitarzan
Vvian Kalyss
| reply to Damon85
"Likewise, they have ZERO obligation to allow you to watch their programming on your terms. You will watch it on their terms at their rates."
A perfect example of the f'd up way business works in this country today. Customer service is replaced by the idea that the customer exists to serve the business.
You have it all ass backward.
It's true that if the demands of the customer are so extreme as to make it impossible for the business to serve those demands without losing money there will be no business. This doesn't change the fact that these businesses exist to serve the customer. It is the customer's needs that are central and businesses exist to find a way to deliver on those needs.
If a business can't figure this out it deserves to die. American business owners used to understand this, back before this country's value system turned into a cesspool.
If american consumers had more sense, they would teach these companies a very painful lesson by refusing to do business with them. | |
stickfigure
join:2002-06-11
El Cajon, CA
| reply to Damon85
»www.dishnetwork.com/content/prod···ex.shtml
"Skip through commercials on recorded programs"
»www.comcast.com/Benefits/CableDe···nkID=365
"It lets you pause and control live TV.
With DVR you can pause any show on any channel, instantly replay live TV, watch a scene in slow motion, rewind the show you have been watching and fast-forward back to the point of live TV."
»www.directv.com/DTVAPP/imagine/TIVO.dsp
"With a DIRECTV DVR, the power to watch what you want, when you want is literally at your fingertips."
»https://www.cox.com/sandiego/dvr/
"Digital Video Recorder (DVR) service from Cox gives you complete control television viewing by allowing you to watch your favorite shows on your schedule."
Only a few of the cable/TV providers I could think of, but lets see, almost all of them SELL (yes that's right, you have to PAY extra for this, meaning they actually are making money from their customers on this.) the benefits of being able to control TV (ie. fast forward recorded programs, skip through commercials, etc...) So tell me, where are THEY getting screwed when I fast forward through commercials when I pay extra to have my DVR???
Maybe you should do some more research before running your mouth.... | |
Hugh Ever
@cable.rogers
from:
Vvian Kalyss
| reply to asdfdfdf
"A perfect example of the f'd up way business works in this country today. Customer service is replaced by the idea that the customer exists to serve the business."
This is so true. When a service becomes so common place, the attitude changes from being a service to a need. The music, movie, and TV industries have become so popular, and so part of our every-day lives that they now believe that they they are necessity of every day life.
Instead of trying to please the customer to purchase their service/product, their stance is that if the customer wants or needs us so badly, they'll agree to our terms.
I think they have diluted and destroyed their own advertising market. They bombard us with so many commercials and ads EVERYWHERE we look, that we're numb to most of it. We just can't be interested in most of it -- our attention can't directed to most of it.
I think the ADVERTISERS should realise that it would be in their best interest for THEM to pay more for a slot and demand that the number of advertisments be reduced. Customers would be more receptive, and advertisers are much more likely to gain some valuable attention. Unfortunately, the small shops may have a hard time affording it... but heck, TV isn't the only way to advertise.
Instead, they choose to sell tons of tiny advertising slots and then annoy us, the potential consumer. That's a perfect way to warm us up and make us receptive to the advertisers and their products.
"Here's an electric shock -- ZAP -- Now that I have your attention, would you be interested in hearing about my product?" | |
fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| reply to G_Poobah
Poob, there IS NOT OTHER MODEL... hmm, actually there is.. hmmm.. it's called YOU PAY MORE.. hmmm.. you don't? You don't have any more TV worth watching.. hmmm.. PBS anyone? Hmmmmm... you need to stop thinking your way works, because, hmmm, it don't.
Who exactly will pay if the ads go away? hmmm.. YOU.. but, hmm.. you don't want to pay for that either.. so.. hmmmm.. you just want TV to go away... hmmmm.. who's the idiot here?
When you pass the 10th grade and finish your course in economics, please come back and post something that works other than your typical "why can't I have it all my way" and "how dare they make money from me - they have NO right to make me do anything" to which you are right.. they don't have the right to make you do anything, but then again, YOU - DON'T - HAVE - ANY - RIGHTS - TO - TV - OR - INTERNET! You either buy it and play by the rules, or you go with without.
Moral? I feel so much pain that you may have to watch a commercial... what's next in your saga? You hate internet, you hate TV, .... ever heard of the Amish? Don't know if that would work, because they require each person to contribute to the common good and that requires work. Oh well.. guess you are out of luck.
Why don't you try, somewhere in an appropriate forum, and tell us exactly HOW our society should run, in your eyes. You complain allot about everything, spread the word that everyone else must change, but you rarely come up with a viable solution other than "just figure it out"... | |
fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| reply to jwersan
There is 16 minutes per hour of commercials.
Yea.. the good ol' days of TV with one minute of comercials. Wasn't that nice to get back to the Leave it to Beaver program? How about uncle Milty? Those were some quality, and entertaining shows, weren't they? Alot of ACTION, SUSPENSE, and THRILLS... Oh, don't forget Gidget and Doby Gilis..
Bottom line is TV has evolved and people want more than a simple story line on a single set with poor quality. People want more from TV... that costs more. More commercial time... If you want TV from yester year you will get what you pay for... also, with that, stop all the rediculous law suits, let's lower health insurance, take away pensions, do away with the unions, and all ther other factors that are put into the total cost to produce a TV show.
Wow!
All this because you might have to be interrupted by 2 minutes and 30 second commercial breaks twice in a show. Try watching lifetime TV, their first commercial break is only 45 to 60 seconds.
This is absurd. | |
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