Commericals have ruined television...

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

Anybody else think that it's possible people are much more ADD these days because of the increase in commercials during tv programs?  It feels like to enjoy any show these days you have to watch it straight through whether it's 20minutes or 60minutes.  

Can we make some sort of complaint chain letter to get them to move advertising to inbetween shows, similar to intermissions.  a commercial every 5 minutes is becoming pointless in the age of "i've got tons of other shit to do".  

[el_chode]

Anybody else think that it's possible people are much more ADD these days because of the increase in commercials during tv programs?  It feels like to enjoy any show these days you have to watch it straight through whether it's 20minutes or 60minutes.  

Can we make some sort of complaint chain letter to get them to move advertising to inbetween shows, similar to intermissions.  a commercial every 5 minutes is becoming pointless in the age of "i've got tons of other shit to do".  

Give it time. First, I think less and less people are buying the current argument:

(1) shit's expensive to make, commercials aren't covering it so we need more commercials
(2) well would you look at that, you haven't stopped watching cost of production just went up, we need more product placement just to make ends meet
(3) you guys keep downloading stuff, so now we're putting an extra commercial break in because we're about to go bankrupt
(4) holy shit DVRs are costing us. Really, the industry is about to implode and that means that we'll lose roughly 700,000 jobs a day, just like when you fuckers download a song on the Internet. Time for more commercials

Soon, you'll see the middle man getting dissolved, and by that I mean the channels/broadcasters. It's becoming increasingly easy for the production co's to go straight to Web. Apple and Google are in an all-out content-OS war right now between Android (GoogleTV) and OSX (AppleTV), and TV's are just web-connected computer monitors. To put it in perspective, I have been running an open source version of these services on my modded 1st Gen Xbox for years now, and it only went downhill once US Customs started seizing the domains of foreign companies pirating content (otherwise, I would have never been able to watch the awesome documentary called Teen Tourette's Camp)

This same technological jump has also caused extremely inaccurate consumption models that makes advertisers think that a show like Walking Dead really needs more tampon commercials.

I think the model will eventually move to more people dropping cable-fed television and instead adopting broadband-based subscription services. Broadcasters and the cable industry will likely fight this in Washington, hopefully to our advantage, by mandating a form of net neutrality that prevents ISPs from offering preferred service to content providers. Then, in 10 years, we'll be lamenting the community effect we felt looking forward to the scheduled broadcast of shows like LOST and Walking Dead as everything becomes a la carte download service.

/rant over

[ManNamedTruth]

What's really pissing me off these days is that they have to stick an advertisement in any second they can. For example, when they come back from a commercial break on Sunday Night Football and the camera guys are trying really hard to get some good shots of the city and the local eateries and whatnot and they ruin there shots by sticking a big advertisement over them. I'd be really pissed if I were one of those camera guys.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

I just read some random google fact thing that says NBC is worth between 40 and 45billion dollars.  Oprah's channel Oxygen or whatever on basic cable is worth 925million.  

it's been sorta hard to find any numbers or information about how much these individual tv entities bring in.  It reminds me of the christian churches.  

so if these free network channels are making more than basic cable how is it logical to say they're going broke?  they're literally media monopoly's in a way.  NBC, CBS, ABC.  HBO and Comedy Central are probably both worth a shitload.  I can understand some ad breaks and whatever, but things have become saturated commercials and it blows fucking hard.

[capt. scotty]

My DVR has saved me from the hell of commercials. Pretty much the only time I really see commercials anymore is when Im watching a live sporting event, which is usually just football. DVR is money for hockey, makes it like an 80 minute game.

[Jaimoe]

DVRs have made bumpers more important than longer commercials; bumbers are the 5 second ads that are scheduled at the head and end of each break. It's hard to skip over them when you fast-forward through the break.

Commercials are one of the main reasons why we have TV programs in the first place. PBS and other national/state/provincial subscription channels are great, but unless we all want to go subscription for every channel, it's not realistic of feasible to have TV without some sort of commercial revenue.

[el_chode]

I just read some random google fact thing that says NBC is worth between 40 and 45billion dollars.  Oprah's channel Oxygen or whatever on basic cable is worth 925million.  

it's been sorta hard to find any numbers or information about how much these individual tv entities bring in.  It reminds me of the christian churches.  

so if these free network channels are making more than basic cable how is it logical to say they're going broke?  they're literally media monopoly's in a way.  NBC, CBS, ABC.  HBO and Comedy Central are probably both worth a shitload.  I can understand some ad breaks and whatever, but things have become saturated commercials and it blows fucking hard.

First, NBC is claiming such financial difficulties they may merge with Comcast. Well they are, unless the DOJ blocks it. I don't really understand that since I thought NBC was owned by Universal AND GE, but maybe those bonds were broken and I missed it. What makes that scary is that it's the first time an ISP provides the content. An ISP notable for fucking with customers. If you have comcast, be prepared to have NBC content given faster download rates than say Fox or ABC.

More broadly, the networks are all worth more because they pander to the lowest. They're also like newspapers - designed for general interest, while Cable is like a magazine designed to hit certain niches. Similarly, when Cable came around, the networks all cried to the government and had the government require Cable providers carry all network programming. Those rules kinda changed but not really, but it's part of the reason why we've been seeing the cable providers go to war with broadcasters.

Plus remember that everyone owns everything. Viacom has a stable of channels, so does Discovery. It's why that Sarah Palin show pisses me off (well, one reason) because a company dedicated to the beauty and preservation of nature has a stable of shows dedicated to actively destroying it. I don't want to watch that dumbslut shoot a reindeer during the holidays and then wink at me after with some awful kitschy catchphrase like she's some retarded Rachel Ray "it's reindeerlicious!".

The only reason bumpers are great is because they let me know when I'm fast forwarding that my show is about to come back on.

[Jaimoe]

Computers and the internet are threatening all TV networks (and news media such as newspapers - plus DVDs). A growing percentage want and think they deserve everything for free.

[Ruckus]

Computers and the internet are threatening all TV networks (and news media such as newspapers - plus DVDs). A growing percentage want and think they deserve everything for free.

Aren't DVRs also killing TV by diminishing commercials' value?  I've never watched commercials to begin with but nowadays I never watch my favorite shows live because I'd rather just be able to skip through the commercials without having to change the channel.

[.Walt]

Aren't DVRs also killing TV by diminishing commercials' value?  I've never watched commercials to begin with but nowadays I never watch my favorite shows live because I'd rather just be able to skip through the commercials without having to change the channel.

I do the same thing.

I do like how Adult Swim/Cartoon Network runs their commercials, and wish every channel would do the same. 12minutes of show, 2-3minutes of commercials, 12 minutes of show, and then 4mintues of commercials after the show is already over.

[Jaimoe]

Computers and the internet are threatening all TV networks (and news media such as newspapers - plus DVDs). A growing percentage want and think they deserve everything for free.

Aren't DVRs also killing TV by diminishing commercials' value?  I've never watched commercials to begin with but nowadays I never watch my favorite shows live because I'd rather just be able to skip through the commercials without having to change the channel.

DVRs add to the problem, but it's hard to prove that commercials aren't being viewed - even though they probably are not. Keep in mind DVR ratings are sketchy and many advertisers don't use them as a means to promote their product. For example, stuggling first-run shows such as Stargate Universe and Chuck have giant PVR numbers, but advertisers don`t use this type of rating as a barometre for success. On a related note, the majority of people in NA still don`t have HD or DVRs, although this trend is gradually shrinking.

[Bigsky]

How do I know that this isn't a commercial?

[johnnYYac]

My name is johnnYYac and I approved this message.

[woodnymph]

Well I guess I understand commercials' significance to some extent, but I dislike all forms of them. Tv, radio, and internet alike (even the 30 second Pandora ones that they had to throw in the mix, let alone random pop-ups while browsing (they pose the same distraction as commercials do, in my mind....))

Concentration can be hard enough to keep in these media realms of vast choices/selections... it's gotten much worse for me as time goes on... I just have no patience to sit through any kind of sales pitch unless I purposely tune in... and I get extra disgruntled by commercials advertising prescription or OTC drugs of varying types too, for many reasons that I'm too tired to rant about atm.... oh, and I twitch real hard when I hear the voices that read off the 'small print' / fine details real fast.

But I guess there's purpose behind them to keep things running. But if I think about that long enough, it doesn't make any sense either. Sooo.... yep

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

Well I guess I understand commercials' significance to some extent, but I dislike all forms of them. Tv, radio, and internet alike (even the 30 second Pandora ones that they had to throw in the mix, let alone random pop-ups while browsing (they pose the same distraction as commercials do, in my mind....))

Concentration can be hard enough to keep in these media realms of vast choices/selections... it's gotten much worse for me as time goes on... I just have no patience to sit through any kind of sales pitch unless I purposely tune in... and I get extra disgruntled by commercials advertising prescription or OTC drugs of varying types too, for many reasons that I'm too tired to rant about atm.... oh, and I twitch real hard when I hear the voices that read off the 'small print' / fine details real fast.

But I guess there's purpose behind them to keep things running. But if I think about that long enough, it doesn't make any sense either. Sooo.... yep

for sure.  I heard a statistic that 1/3 of all commercials/advertising on tv is related to the pharmaceutical companies.  it's pretty crazy.  ever since the banks bought Reagan and turned the united states into a corporation things have been on a steady decline.  the one saving grace is the internet.  it has saved whatever culture we have left.  

personally, I can't watch "the office" when it airs on tv anymore.  it's such a short show and after every 5minutes there is a commercial.  it kills the momentum.  mother fuckin machine needs to be brought down.  I'm ready to revolt. straight up.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

I just read some random google fact thing that says NBC is worth between 40 and 45billion dollars.  Oprah's channel Oxygen or whatever on basic cable is worth 925million.  

it's been sorta hard to find any numbers or information about how much these individual tv entities bring in.  It reminds me of the christian churches.  

so if these free network channels are making more than basic cable how is it logical to say they're going broke?  they're literally media monopoly's in a way.  NBC, CBS, ABC.  HBO and Comedy Central are probably both worth a shitload.  I can understand some ad breaks and whatever, but things have become saturated commercials and it blows fucking hard.

First, NBC is claiming such financial difficulties they may merge with Comcast. Well they are, unless the DOJ blocks it. I don't really understand that since I thought NBC was owned by Universal AND GE, but maybe those bonds were broken and I missed it. What makes that scary is that it's the first time an ISP provides the content. An ISP notable for fucking with customers. If you have comcast, be prepared to have NBC content given faster download rates than say Fox or ABC.

More broadly, the networks are all worth more because they pander to the lowest. They're also like newspapers - designed for general interest, while Cable is like a magazine designed to hit certain niches. Similarly, when Cable came around, the networks all cried to the government and had the government require Cable providers carry all network programming. Those rules kinda changed but not really, but it's part of the reason why we've been seeing the cable providers go to war with broadcasters.

Plus remember that everyone owns everything. Viacom has a stable of channels, so does Discovery. It's why that Sarah Palin show pisses me off (well, one reason) because a company dedicated to the beauty and preservation of nature has a stable of shows dedicated to actively destroying it. I don't want to watch that dumbslut shoot a reindeer during the holidays and then wink at me after with some awful kitschy catchphrase like she's some retarded Rachel Ray "it's reindeerlicious!".

The only reason bumpers are great is because they let me know when I'm fast forwarding that my show is about to come back on.

Yeah Comcast is turning into a mutlimedia monopoly, very slowly and quietly.  they were exposed pretty bad after Conan got fired but it makes me wonder if it was deliberate.  who knows.   having an ISP control your information is some straight up 1984 type shit.  everything tracked, everything regulated.  fucked up.  bye bye privacy.  it'll be a while but that's where shit is headed if we don't get a hold of these corporations.  we need to chill them the fuck out some how.

The future is internet TV.  "on demand" everything.  the american mentality has always been "give it to me now".

[capt. scotty]

I agree with most of this, but commercials can be good. I mean, if it wasnt for commercials, I wouldnt have a Shamwow, Snuggie, Girls Gone Wild 14, Shake Weight, Ronco Rotisserie, or an assortment of knives.

[woodnymph]

I agree with most of this, but commercials can be good. I mean, if it wasnt for commercials, I wouldnt have a Shamwow, Snuggie, Girls Gone Wild 14, Shake Weight, Ronco Rotisserie, or an assortment of knives.

Hahahahahah that just gave me a visualization of all those things being sold door-to-door by actual people. Thank god THAT'S not the case.... But I'd still rather not be bothered with them on any account  :-X  :-X  :-X

[woodnymph]

for sure.  I heard a statistic that 1/3 of all commercials/advertising on tv is related to the pharmaceutical companies.  it's pretty crazy.  ever since the banks bought Reagan and turned the united states into a corporation things have been on a steady decline.  the one saving grace is the internet.  it has saved whatever culture we have left.  

personally, I can't watch "the office" when it airs on tv anymore.  it's such a short show and after every 5minutes there is a commercial.  it kills the momentum.  mother fuckin machine needs to be brought down.  I'm ready to revolt. straight up.

[smiley=vrolijk_26.gif] woop woop yeah big pharma gets me in a tizzy from time to time... between that and the walgreens/rite aid drugstore takeover (one every half-mile around Pitt), I'm ready to revolt tooooooo  :o  Or move into the deep wilderness somewhere

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

I just read some random google fact thing that says NBC is worth between 40 and 45billion dollars.  Oprah's channel Oxygen or whatever on basic cable is worth 925million.  

it's been sorta hard to find any numbers or information about how much these individual tv entities bring in.  It reminds me of the christian churches.  

so if these free network channels are making more than basic cable how is it logical to say they're going broke?  they're literally media monopoly's in a way.  NBC, CBS, ABC.  HBO and Comedy Central are probably both worth a shitload.  I can understand some ad breaks and whatever, but things have become saturated commercials and it blows fucking hard.

First, NBC is claiming such financial difficulties they may merge with Comcast. Well they are, unless the DOJ blocks it. I don't really understand that since I thought NBC was owned by Universal AND GE, but maybe those bonds were broken and I missed it. What makes that scary is that it's the first time an ISP provides the content. An ISP notable for fucking with customers. If you have comcast, be prepared to have NBC content given faster download rates than say Fox or ABC.

More broadly, the networks are all worth more because they pander to the lowest. They're also like newspapers - designed for general interest, while Cable is like a magazine designed to hit certain niches. Similarly, when Cable came around, the networks all cried to the government and had the government require Cable providers carry all network programming. Those rules kinda changed but not really, but it's part of the reason why we've been seeing the cable providers go to war with broadcasters.

[highlight]Plus remember that everyone owns everything. Viacom has a stable of channels, so does Discovery. It's why that Sarah Palin show pisses me off (well, one reason) because a company dedicated to the beauty and preservation of nature has a stable of shows dedicated to actively destroying it. I don't want to watch that dumbslut shoot a reindeer during the holidays and then wink at me after with some awful kitschy catchphrase like she's some retarded Rachel Ray "it's reindeerlicious!".[/highlight]

The only reason bumpers are great is because they let me know when I'm fast forwarding that my show is about to come back on.

that's a really good point.  what has become of tv?  that sarah palin show part is pretty dead on.  it seemed like before, maybe 10years ago they were making shows to demonize these loggers and now there are two or three spin-offs, swamp loggers, alaska loggin, etc. most of those trees are probably older than any person there cutting it down.  

another show I haven't even been able to start to watch is that one where they catch alligators in traps.  watching a bunch of hicks slosh around in the glades slaughtering alligators isn't what I call entertainment.  but who am I to say?  

the other genre of show that I do not understand is the whole "factory/big industry/watch us work" shows.  I can't understand why any sane person would want to come home from work just to watch other people work on tv.  "the assembly line does so and so, the bubble gum goes here and there blah blah blah".  

It's starting to become apparent fox and the republican party have some strong ties now also so it truly is spewing propaganda now 24/7.  seems like more so than anytime in history.