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TV Networks Cutting Back On Commercials (bloomberg.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Cable providers aren't the only ones feeling pressure from cord cutters. The TV networks themselves are losing viewers the same way. A lot of those viewers are going to Netflix and other streaming services, which are often ad-free, or have ad-free options. Now, in an effort to win back that audience (and hang on to the ones who are still around), networks are beginning to cut back on commercial time during their shows. "Time Warner's truTV will cut its ad load in half for prime-time original shows starting late next year, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bewkes said last week on an earnings call. Viacom has recently slashed commercial minutes at its networks, which include Comedy Central and MTV. Earlier this month, Fox said it will offer viewers of its shows on Hulu the option to watch a 30-second interactive ad instead of a typical 2 1/2-minute commercial break. Fox says the shorter ads, which require viewers to engage with them online, are more effective because they guarantee the audience's full attention."
With all the options available to me, it simply isn't worth it anymore. These cable/tv providers were MORE than happy to screw us for every dime they could when there was no viable option. Now that there is, they are scrambling to get viewers back.
Sorry, but with games, movies, music, and other entertainment options out there, along with Netflix/Amazon video, it's simply not worth it to me to pay a premium.
For those of you swashbuckling types, I suggest an Ubuntu/Sonarr/Couch Potato/Transmission setup.
Not a bad idea. I was going to say that the only thing an interactive ad guarantees is me randomly clicking feedback stuff. 'Full attention'. Good luck with that. Advertisers have earned the wrath of pretty much everyone now by being forceful and greedy. Basically they act like we owe them something and they're wrong.
They need to be meek and humble for about a decade to start to get some level of trust back--maybe.
I'd be happy with ads on SyFy if they just hunted down and executed the moron executive that thinks horror, paranormal, CSI and low budget "reality" tv ghost hunts are somehow even related to actual Sci Fi.
I think that one of the primary reasons that people are rejecting advertising is that the ads are invasive.
To your average consumer, ads are fine. More than fine, actually, necessary to promote products some people would be otherwise unaware of. Just not INVASIVE ads. Forcing users to engage an ad will have the opposite effect.
EVERY grocery store and various other types of stores I go to have ads as you go in. Easily ignored if unwanted, but helpful if desired. Advertisers have been overloading people causing them to shut down completely. They've been seeking that breaking point, and it is nearly a point of no return now that they are finding it.
The invasiveness of the ads causing people to cord-cut and use things like ad-block are caused by the theory that the ads aren't pushy enough, so instead of a page showing specials as you go in, it's more like a used-car salesman who follows you around the store and WILL NOT SHUT UP!!
No wonder people want to smack them.
Has Fox forgotten that vegging out or having background noise while doing other stuff is most of the point of watching TV. Nothing will tick someone off more than have to fumble around and click to proceed every few minutes.
Advertisers have earned the wrath of pretty much everyone now by being forceful and greedy. Basically they act like we owe them something and they're wrong.
That's because we are watching a show that it is them that have paid for.
Linux is for people who don't mind RTFM.