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)?

[007]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

While I agree, problem is the more people watch other media, the more costly it is to cable viewers. Interesting industry in that all cable subscribers share the expense. When less people watch, and cable companies tv stations have to find new ways to make money. It's often that's in the form of price increases. It's not our fault that we are choosing new ways to watch tv.. I just don't think people realize that the more we watch any media that's free, the more cable companies and tv producers have to do to raise money to create quality programming. People here are complaining that hulu shows tv shows with ad interruption.. Seriously? Do we really think 15 dollars a month is helping to pay for the cost of creating a Lost episode?

I said it isn't necessary to bog down every single show on Hulu with ads. When it was one 15 second ad every 15 minutes, hell even two, things were fine. Then they started jumping to 3 commercials, then 30 second commercials. Then limiting how many episodes you would watch. Then coming up with a pay model on top of all of that for anything older than 4 weeks. There is really no time difference between Hulu and regular TV now.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Because no wants likes to admit it, but theres a DEMAND for his crap.

As our culture becomes more like the audience of Jerry Springer every day

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Guru

With the excpetion of the yellow first down line, you just covered a bunch of things I don't like about the game today. I don't watch pregame and postgame because it is no longer about the game. It's just a bunch of former jocks and coaches yucking it up. We have always had decent camera angles. We don't need 30 camera at a game for crying out loud. Plus, instant replay needs to die in a fire.

CBB is freakin' ridiculous... there's one good angle during a CBB game, and it's not from the the top of the backboard or from the guy sitting in the corner of the court.

[chasedude]

I think Nascar has more advertising than any sport.

Each car has, estimating here, at least 30 decals from multiple sponsors. The amount of camera time we are bombarded with during the entire event. '
I saw some story about some poor sap that sits in an office somewhere tallying each sponsor and calculating how much time it's logo was on screen. Pause.. Rewind.. Play... rinse and repeat hours on end. Just Shoot Me!

We all know the reason, $$$$

Here's an interesting article saying Nascar is the best deal for advertising in sports.

http://www.sbu.edu/studentresearch.aspx?id=25420

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Guru

I said it isn't necessary to bog down every single show on Hulu with ads. When it was one 15 second ad every 15 minutes, hell even two, things were fine. Then they started jumping to 3 commercials, then 30 second commercials. Then limiting how many episodes you would watch. Then coming up with a pay model on top of all of that for anything older than 4 weeks. There is really no time difference between Hulu and regular TV now.

Do you get the same commercial over and over and over again during the scheduled breaks?

[007]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

CBB is freakin' ridiculous... there's one good angle during a CBB game, and it's not from the the top of the backboard or from the guy sitting in the corner of the court.

Don't get me started on all the BAD ANGLES they provide us with all these spiffy HD cameras!!! JFC

I really hate the damn floating camera. Completely unnecessary.

[007]

Originally Posted by chasedude

Do you get the same commercial over and over and over again during the scheduled breaks?

yes and yes

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Guru

yes and yes

I click on the option in the corner that this advertisement doesn't appeal to me and they still keep popping up.

[007]

Originally Posted by chasedude

I click on the option in the corner that this advertisement doesn't appeal to me and they still keep popping up.

Yeah, I learned a long time ago to not bother clicking on that.

[chiefzilla1501]

.

Originally Posted by Guru

I said it isn't necessary to bog down every single show on Hulu with ads. When it was one 15 second ad every 15 minutes, hell even two, things were fine. Then they started jumping to 3 commercials, then 30 second commercials. Then limiting how many episodes you would watch. Then coming up with a pay model on top of all of that for anything older than 4 weeks. There is really no time difference between Hulu and regular TV now.

Um, yeah.. Because neither hulu or the network were making any money. They aren't in the business of saving you time.

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Guru

Yeah, I learned a long time ago to not bother clicking on that.

I hardly watch Hulu anymore. This time of year I'm outside unless it's a inferno heat wave. I picked through most of their selection and the updates are pitiful with horrible movies.

I'm glad there's a service available out there like that, but I grow bored with it and need to find a better option.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Guru

Don't get me started on all the BAD ANGLES they provide us with all these spiffy HD cameras!!! JFC

I really hate the damn floating camera. Completely unnecessary.

I hate that camera angle too.. But I suggest you watch an NFL classic game from 10 years ago. It is 100 times better today.

[007]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

.

Um, yeah.. Because neither hulu or the network were making any money. They aren't in the business of saving you time.

Netflix does a kick ass job of saving me time. And don't give me that line that networks aren't making money.

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Guru

Netflix does a kick ass job of saving me time. And don't give me that line that networks aren't making money.

8 bucks for netflix with it's larger selection and no commercial breaks is where it's at. I enjoy alot of education films and the National Geographic library is nicely sized on their servers.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Guru

Netflix does a kick ass job of saving me time. And don't give me that line that networks aren't making money.

Yeah and they're getting charged up the ass in licensing fees and had to raise prices. and people bitched. And they don't provide ability to watch live sports or new sitcoms.. Just old ones.

I didn't say networks aren't making money. I'm saying to create quality programming you have to make money. GE makes a shit load of money too.. That doesn't mean I'm going to call them out for not charging basement prices.