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DVR Viewers Push Ad Ratings Higher
An anonymous reader writes "It looks like DVRs and timeshifting has finally done what many people said it would do: increased overall viewership! USA Today reports: 'Among the things the report revealed is that many DVR viewers do not fast-forward through ads. The viewer total for broadcast network ads goes up 32% when DVR watchers within three days are included, according to Nielsen. For some prime-time shows, it means that DVR viewing, long seen as a threat to advertising, could even bring higher ad prices. NBC's The Office, for example, had a live-plus-three Nielsen commercial rating of 3.36 — higher than the 3.11 it got for the week of May 6 under the traditional Nielsen program rating system.' Makes me wonder where this will lead for my favorite genre shows which by their very nature have a higher DVR component and have seen declining viewership using the older methodology (BSG, SG-1, etc)."
I do something similar, and it makes me wonder sometimes just how my brain works.
When I'm watching a recording on the DVR, I often forget to FF through the ads,
but,
when I'm watching something live, I almost always instantly reach for the remote to try to FF, only to be informed by the tv that I can't.
sheesh.
Those of you who skip commercials are aware, I hope, that you're stealing television?
Being entertained is a privilege, not a right.
I mean, sure, you paid to buy the TV. And you pay your cable or satellite bill. And you bought the PVR along with the embedded fees for the various artists' unions. But, other than that, it's like you commercial skippers are trying to get something for nothing.
It's time to ask yourself what Jesus would do.
It's time to take some responsibility: if you enjoy quality programming, the onus is on you to not only watch the adverts but also to act on them. That's right: those commercials are worthless unless you exercise your obligation as a consumer to actually buy something.
So, what's our tally? Buy your TV, buy your PVR, line the pockets of the artist unions, pay for content delivery, watch the ads, act on the suggestions made in the ads -- now you're entitled to some entertainment.
Sadly, there's nothing much good on.
These stories are free but worth money.
Be sure to note that DVR users not only watch the ads, but /.ers that use DVRs have been known to upload your ads to the web and share them with friends.
So be sure to buy lots of ad time on the shows /.ers like to watch.
Thank You.
http://visualizecommonsense.com/
And people used to say TV rots the mind. Well, you showed them.
Until the Vonage commercials come on...
I have a similar problem. In real life I'll wish to fast forward some event or boring moment. My wife and I make a click-click sound when we want to remind the other to fast forward during a commercial.
I got smacked the other day when a pastor at church was saying a very long prayer and I "click-click'ed" under my breath and my wife heard it.
As far as actual Tivo and ad's. I really like commercials I have not seen before and will often watch them on purpose, they rarely ever get a second viewing though. I actually think the quality of ad's have gone up recently. This of course only goes for prime time national ads. Local ads and off hour commercials are pathetic.
Reminds me of a poster for newspaper advertising I saw once.
A man and a woman getting it on on the couch in front of the tv. The caption read "Current advertising research says these people are watching your ad. Who's really getting screwed?"
And that kids is how I met your mother.
Especially forget to skip ads while stoned.