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AOL-Time/Warner's PVR to Skip Ad-Skipping

Posted by michael on from the they-control-the-horizontal dept.

btempleton writes "Echoing recent comments that PVR users are thieves a story from CNET announces that AOL's set-top box plans may not allow skipping ads. Broadcasters continue to be afraid of the PVR, admitedly with good reason for their current business model. As I point out in my essay on the future of TV, PVRs and Advertising, TV ads are a terrible bargain for the user, paying us about $1.20 per hour of our attention, and something has to change. It's worth noting that they say they like the Tivo over the Replay because the Tivo does not have 30 second skip, but in fact it does."

4 of 390 comments (clear)

  1. Well who'll buy that then? by johnburton · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I certainly wouldn't buy one if it didn't let me skip the adverts and I can't see that anyone else will either

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  2. Information wants to be free by selderrr · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Many ./ adepts adhere this slogan, which also applies to advertising. No matter how many skipping systems, popup blockers, spam filters, etc are invented, there will always be unwanted advertisment. Just as much as Falung Gong pamflets for instance just can't be killed in china.

    That aside, offcourse you're free to block anything you like. I've personaly found that little on/off switch on my TV to be an excellent advertisement filter !

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  3. Re:They will force it on you by milo_Gwalthny · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The only problem is the automatic recording thing... the PVR needs to be able to decide on the channel and if downstream of the cable box it can't, directly. I have seen people with IR emitters taped to the top of the cable box so the PVR can change the channel by pretending its the remote. Not especially elegant, but it works.

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    Milo
  4. What would be great by jhines · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Is if the pvr had the ability to recognize repeated commercials, and would allow the user to skip over a commerical they have already seen.

    I mean seeing the same damn cell phone ads over and over again isn't going to make me buy something I don't have any use for.