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)?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Guru

I love how they just assume everyone has access to all those sports channels when the playoffs start. Blackout rules need to be blacked out.

To be fair, they did relax them quite a bit this year.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/ey...or-2012-season

[tk13]

There definitely comes a point where you get what you pay for. Just look at how terrible TV was the year of the writer's strike. It's just like anything else, it's a business. If you don't think it's worth your support, then don't support it. Of course they're trying to make money. Sports is no different. It's a business. If you want to be entertained by the best people in the world in their entertainment venue, whether it's sports, music, movies... those people are going to ask for a lot of money to do it. Especially when the big wigs calling the shots are making millions off their work.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Perhaps, but I don't really disagree with him. It's not like there's a lack of affordable entertainment these days. If people want to pirate, then by all means go for it, but let's not pretend like we're being forced to steal these days because everything's so expensive.

I know there are a lot of people who want something for nothing, but there are also a lot of people who go the free route because there's no middle ground. CDs weren't expensive, but I wasn't going to buy one to get the two songs I wanted... as soon as there was a better option, I took it, and now happily pay per song.

If you like TV shows and movies, there are definitely many choices and you'll basically get what you pay for... right now though, sports is a different issue.

Originally Posted by tk13

There definitely comes a point where you get what you pay for. Just look at how terrible TV was the year of the writer's strike. It's just like anything else, it's a business. If you don't think it's worth your support, then don't support it. Of course they're trying to make money. Sports is no different. It's a business. If you want to be entertained by the best people in the world in their entertainment venue, whether it's sports, music, movies... those people are going to ask for a lot of money to do it. Especially when the big wigs calling the shots are making millions off their work.

I don't think anyone wants to deny anyone a decent living.... but, it becomes a problem when the customer suffers because billionaires are squabbling over a million or two million dollars.

CBS pays eleventy billion dollars for NFL games, but they'll make up for it by drowning the fans in commercials. Demand is up, so let's charge $15 $20 $27 for parking on top of the $80 tickets... oops, we priced out our most loyal fans. Oh, and your cable bill is going up $10/month, but we're taking away ABC while we squabble over 20 cents/customer.... after all, we only made half a billion dollars this quarter.

[Guru]

Originally Posted by DaFace

To be fair, they did relax them quite a bit this year.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/ey...or-2012-season

Doesn't help those of us that don't have espn though, which was more my point. Drives me nuts how all sports seem to be moving to cable now.

[Guru]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I know there are a lot of people who want something for nothing, but there are also a lot of people who go the free route because there's no middle ground. CDs weren't expensive, but I wasn't going to buy one to get the two songs I wanted... as soon as there was a better option, I took it, and now happily pay per song.

If you like TV shows and movies, there are definitely many choices and you'll basically get what you pay for... right now though, sports is a different issue.




I don't think anyone wants to deny anyone a decent living.... but, it becomes a problem when the customer suffers because billionaires are squabbling over a million or two million dollars.

CBS pays eleventy billion dollars for NFL games, but they'll make up for it by drowning the fans in commercials. Demand is up, so let's charge $15 $20 $27 for parking on top of the $80 tickets... oops, we priced out our most loyal fans. Oh, and your cable bill is going up $10/month, but we're taking away ABC while we squabble over 20 cents/customer.... after all, we only made half a billion dollars this quarter.

don't forget about them charging $3.99 per tv episode now. That is beyond stupid.