Movies and TV Why do we still have to sit through commercials?

sedated · 07-11-2012, 01:07 PM

The DirecTV/Viacom thread got me thinking.

Commercials were developed as a way for free channels to get the revenue necessary to operate, the same as radio and newspapers. Regular radio stations and many newspapers are still free to this day, so advertising is just the cost of doing business. However, most cable packages cost between $50-$80, just for “standard cable” (not including HBO, etc). My current DTV bill is $85, and I don’t have any movie channels.

We are all paying a premium for these channels, and yet 1/3 of the content is advertising. What is the difference between paying for HBO (commercial-free and unregulated language/nudity) versus (unwillingly) paying for the Viacom package of channels (commercials and FCC-regulated)?

07-11-2012, 01:07 PM	Topic Starter
sedated Like I woke up in Wonderland.. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $1006558	Why do we still have to sit through commercials? The DirecTV/Viacom thread got me thinking. Commercials were developed as a way for free channels to get the revenue necessary to operate, the same as radio and newspapers. Regular radio stations and many newspapers are still free to this day, so advertising is just the cost of doing business. However, most cable packages cost between $50-$80, just for “standard cable” (not including HBO, etc). My current DTV bill is $85, and I don’t have any movie channels. We are all paying a premium for these channels, and yet 1/3 of the content is advertising. What is the difference between paying for HBO (commercial-free and unregulated language/nudity) versus (unwillingly) paying for the Viacom package of channels (commercials and FCC-regulated)?
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