Why do we still have to sit through commercials?

[sedated]

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)?

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by sedated

There is a charge for installation. And for the DVR boxes. That’s how a $35 package becomes $85.

And you think that covers all of their operating expenses? Salaries of technicians, salaries and technology for customer support, investments in innovation and new technology, programming fees, buildings to house employees, buying trucks and gas for technicians, advertising for new business, maintaining the cable lines, the internet and phone systems all employees need to have, etc... etc... etc...? It's not like this is just a few technicians driving around drumming up business. We're talking about a national company with a ton of costs.

They do that with advertising. Why are conglomerates like Viacom fleecing DTV for a hike in rates (that will ultimately be paid by the customers) when they can sell a SB commercial for $5 million per minute?
The only reason we have 100 channels is because of the bundling that is forced on us by the Viacoms of the world. It’s the only way they can get any money for the crap channels no one wants. As has been stated multiple times in this thread, people will gladly cut it down to 5-10 channels if they got any price break for it.

I don't think you realize the implications of what you're proposing here. You're giving unbelievable amount of power to the "big 5 or 10." And an "a la carte" channel lineup is only going to raise advertising prices and lower overall viewership. The worst thing to happen to the radio was for a few big conglomerates controlling the entire airwaves.

If you want truly quality programming, you have to pay a price for it.

[SLAG]

We've dumped cable now for almost 2 years - haven't looked back
For sports:

Had a buddy hook me up with his NFL Sunday Ticket Login Info to watch on my PS3 / Phone / PC

My parents still pay for TV and I put a slingbox in their basement so any other local KC stuff I want I just flip on the slingbox - Have the slingbox app on my phone with HDMI out - its like a cable box in my pocket I only paid for once.

Netflix - Amazon / Vudu etc for anything else we want to watch

I know that shoe wont fit everyone but we've been pretty happy

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by vailpass

Admittedly that part is good. But imagine Monday night football starting at freaking 5:00 pm. That took me a couple years to get used to.
Now I'm hammered and home by 9 on Mondays.

Yeah, and some CBB and hockey games start at 4 or 4:30 pacific.. but, the DVR could come in handy for those, too.

I watched Virginia Tech and Boise State a couple of years ago while in Seattle... I think it started at 5 pacific, and I was stumbling back to my hotel ready to call it a night at freaking 8pm.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Guru

fantasy football is killing the Sunday experience.

I'm starting to think so.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by SLAG

We've dumped cable now for almost 2 years - haven't looked back
For sports:

Had a buddy hook me up with his NFL Sunday Ticket Login Info to watch on my PS3 / Phone / PC

My parents still pay for TV and I put a slingbox in their basement so any other local KC stuff I want I just flip on the slingbox - Have the slingbox app on my phone with HDMI out - its like a cable box in my pocket I only paid for once.

Netflix - Amazon / Vudu etc for anything else we want to watch

I know that shoe wont fit everyone but we've been pretty happy

Sure, but you are still relying on the system. This entire idea is predicated on someone else paying for cable.

Another solution is to just go read a book. The REAL solution is to be able too bypass cable entirely. Hulu, netflix, and amazon are the future of television. In ten years there won't BE cable.

[007]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Sure, but you are still relying on the system. This entire idea is predicated on someone else paying for cable.

Another solution is to just go read a book. The REAL solution is to be able too bypass cable entirely. Hulu, netflix, and amazon are the future of television. In ten years there won't BE cable.

My only problem with Hulu is that they still put commercials on everything. I can understand putting them on shows airing within the last year that are not available on DVD yet but past seasons shouldn't have commercials. The fact you have to pay the same amount for Hulu as you do for Netflix says a lot.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Because subscriber fees only account for a tiny percentage of all the revenues channels bring in. That's about all there is to it.

/thread

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Greed.

Also known as having a desire to stay in business.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Guru

My only problem with Hulu is that they still put commercials on everything. I can understand putting them on shows airing within the last year that are not available on DVD yet but past seasons shouldn't have commercials. The fact you have to pay the same amount for Hulu as you do for Netflix says a lot.

Hulu is almost worse than TV these days... they used to have 2 or 3 thirty second commercials, but now it's ~3 commercials each break, and there are more breaks.

[jspchief]

I'm just glad that out of my 135 channels, 60% of my programming is infomercials.

[007]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Hulu is almost worse than TV these days... they used to have 2 or 3 thirty second commercials, but now it's ~3 commercials each break, and there are more breaks.

We signed up for a free 2 month trial and I was sorely disappointed with how many commercials they run.

[BigMeatballDave]

Hulu can suck me off.

I'm not paying them to watch ads.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Because subscriber fees only account for a tiny percentage of all the revenues channels bring in. That's about all there is to it.

I get that.

I'm still not giving them any of my money.

If Netflix began showing ads I'd dump them.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Dave

I get that.

I'm still not giving them any of my money.

If Netflix began showing ads I'd dump them.

This is how spoiled we've gotten. Newspapers are bleeding money because people like us copy links because we feel entitled to. Now we get upset because a tv station wants to advertise so they can actually make money off their shows.

Cable has always been expensive. With more options like satellite dishes and the Internet they have to try harder to make money.

It's amazing that we think a subscriber fee entitles us to free programming. If you want that experience, then pay a monthly fee for hbo. People are confusing subscriber fees with fee to keep time Warner in business. Advertising may be inconvenient.. But it is the only way networks can afford to provide you with quality programming. If you cut advertising, and hope you enjoy pbs.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

This is how spoiled we've gotten. Newspapers are bleeding money because people like us copy links because we feel entitled to. Now we get upset because a tv station wants to advertise so they can actually make money off their shows.

Cable has always been expensive. With more options like satellite dishes and the Internet they have to try harder to make money.

It's amazing that we think a subscriber fee entitles us to free programming. If you want that experience, then pay a monthly fee for hbo. People are confusing subscriber fees with fee to keep time Warner in business. Advertising may be inconvenient.. But it is the only way networks can afford to provide you with quality programming. If you cut advertising, and hope you enjoy pbs.

I'm glad someone gets it. This country was built on capitalism yet people get all huffy when broadcasters do what they have to do to stay in business in an extremely competitve market. DVR's and such make it easy to skip commercials. Deal with some commercials and keep your programming or lose the commercials and like you said... watch PBS. Then the bitching would really be loud. We're sorry we have to pay our employees and keep a valid broadcasting lisence and buy/upkeep equipment and keep the electric bill paid so you can watch football or Pawn Stars or news or give you the music you like to listen to. Let us dump anything that is a slight and temporary annoyance to the audience because we don't deserve to be in business like every other company in America. Enjoy Reading Rainbow.

/end rant

Heh.