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ABC Wants DVR Fast Forwarding Disabled
Anonymous CE Worker writes "The television network ABC is looking to develop technology that would disable the fast-forward button on DVRs, and allow commercials to run as intended on their channel." From the article: "Some research executives — even at networks with sales departments that acted differently — had argued before the upfront that ads viewed in fast-forward mode generated value for advertisers, since consumers were at least partly exposed to their messages. But Shaw said ABC was only interested in finding a way to receive compensation for un-skipped ads."
So long as it's just blocking fast-forwarding on ABC shows and not other channels, let me be the first to say that I have absolutely no problem with this.
Every year during my review, I just pray the words "slashdot.org" aren't mentioned.
they should get TV makers to prevent me from changing the channel when commercials start too.
Whenever commercials come on TV, I SWITCH TO ANOTHER CHANNEL without commercials.
I bet next they'll try to disable the chan up/down buttons, the mute button, and the power button during commercials. Then they'll try to mandate all chairs have restraints that are activated right before commercials come on. Ooh, and little things to hold open your eyelids and ears...
However good beer commericals on the other hand...
**scribes your post into large book**
I think what we REALLY need is a "uber-fast-forward button" so we can GET to the commercials! Given the quality of ABC (and most other) programming, the commercials are the only productions worth viewing
- Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum, minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
Sure that's what you think now, but if you watch enough tampon commercials...
Maybe next time you are at the store you'll think to yourself, "Maybe I *do* need some tampons."First against the wall when the revolution comes
I was thinking the same thing. ABC is missing out on a chance to really increase their advertisement revenue. Here's how: instead of selling regular 30-second commercials, they tell everyone that with the advent of DVRs, that what they really need to do is buy five minute ads, and then play their normal advertisement at 1/10th normal speed for everyone who's watching it in fast-forward.
Of course, the obnoxiousness of watching a five-minute commercial would immediately cause the folks still watching normal-speed TV to go out and get DVRs in order to FF through them; the end result would be that everyone would buy a DVR, and everyone would watch the same 30-second clips!
In time, there would be an 'arms race' between the networks and DVR companies, to see who could have faster fast-forwards, and who could have the slowest commercials. Just think: a two-hour Rogaine ad, transmitted at 0.5 fps.
Isn't technology beautiful?
"Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
Just slow the commercials way down so they play at normal speed during FFWD!@
In my neighborhood we obey the laws of physics! I'd let the planes' momentum carry them past my house. I would be very seriously surprised if they fell straight down to the ground.
Software sucks. Open Source sucks less.