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Broadcasters Put New Ad-Skipping Restrictions On YouTube TV (dslreports.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the art-of-the-deal dept.

YouTube launched its new "YouTube TV" service last week for select markets. One of the biggest features for the service is its DVR functionality, which would in theory allow users to record shows and fast forward through all the commercials. Unfortunately, that is not the case, notes the Wall Street Journal. Karl Bode writes via DSLReports: If a show is available on-demand, viewers won't be able to skip ads, even if they recorded the episode on DVR. Google has confirmed with the Journal that the restriction is courtesy of the licensing agreements the broadcast industry forced Google to adhere to in order to offer the service. As a result, if YouTube TV has the on-demand version of a specific program you may be interested in, then the service won't let viewers watch a recorded version that allows for ad-skipping. Instead, viewers are forced to watch the on-demand episode and all of the ads, even if consumers thought they saved the show on their DVR for ad-skippable viewing.

4 of 227 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Nope by mspohr · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Next new feature they will add is an active camera to make sure you are in the room. If you leave, it will stop and wait for your return so you don't miss any ads. (BTW, your dog doesn't count)

    --
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  2. this costs money to watch commercials? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    so google wants me to pay $35 a month to watch tv. add to that the internet cost. and i still am paying to watch ads?

    at this rate, why not just keep cable tv?

  3. Re:Not Quite Right by FirephoxRising · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Well, I don't care who did it, I'll continue my policy of not using services that I pay for and have ads. Either it's free-with-ads or it's pay-with-no-ads. I'm voting with my wallet and yes I would pay more for no ads ever (for those who will say ads make it cheaper).

  4. Re:And this is why... by Noishkel · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And this is also why piracy will continue.

    Honestly, skipping commercials was one of the reasons why anyone gives a damn about YouTube TV. And now Alphabet just shot it's self in the junk to appease the ad men that everyone already hates. Good job.