NETWORKS NOT HAPPY WITH NEW DISH ADD ZAPPER (AUTO HOP)

[gregg75]

"Wow we gotta stop this thing or get around it some way" seems to be the network
battle cry. Where are NBC, Comcast and the FCC when we need them to outwit consumers?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/b...ts-ads-and-causes-tremors-at-tv-upfronts.html

 

[arnoldevns]

It's simple: this thing could destroy broadcast TV if other providers pick it up. No ad watching = no revenue = no broadcast TV. The only thing that makes it mildly okay is that you can't do this until the day after the shows air. Since most advertisers pay for the live+same day ratings, this won't hurt that number....but you have to think they'll ultimately allow same day "hopping"

 

[landtuna]

Perhaps it's time to dispatch the advertising business model and go to subscription or PPV TV. It would seem that more money could be made by subscription than by commercials.

 

[TomParks]

If dish moves forward then the networks should pull their programming. Dish has no right messing with the broadcast signals period.

 

[Robnoxious]

So, scuttle all OTA network broadcast and move to cable/sat only. The OTA wavelengths are returned to the FCC to be auctioned to mobile broadband and force the entire US into a pay model for television. That'll go over swimmingly. It's also exactly what every broadcast network wants to do now as it is with all these carriage squabbles. As far as me, I'll continue to receive programming (sans-commercials) time shifted to my leisure using grey area tactics with zero accountability to any ratings book. Bring it on, I say. Doesn't matter a whit to me, nor does it affect my wallet any more than it does all ready (my "rates" haven't been raised in 10+ years). I've gamed the system closing in on 2 decades ago. Old media conglomerates and their outdated distribution ain't got crap on me. The genie has been out of the bottle for a long, long time.

 

[ansky212]

When you really think about it, this DVR is no different than someone walking out of the room for 5 minutes while the commercials are on. DVR or no DVR, I never pay attention to commercials.

What I think will ultimately happen over the years is that we'll see more ads embedded within the actual programs. It may be as simple as a little pop-up similar to a channel bug, or I could potentially see a "split screen" type deal with ads constantly running on the side or bottom of the screen during live programming.

 

[w9wi]

When you really think about it, this DVR is no different than someone walking out of the room for 5 minutes while the commercials are on. DVR or no DVR, I never pay attention to commercials.

What I think will ultimately happen over the years is that we'll see more ads embedded within the actual programs. It may be as simple as a little pop-up similar to a channel bug, or I could potentially see a "split screen" type deal with ads constantly running on the side or bottom of the screen during live programming.

What's different is that a third party is making a profit providing this service.

It's one thing for me to record the latest Lady Gaga song off the radio & listen at my leisure. If I try selling the recordings I'm going to get a VERY different reaction from the RIAA!

---

I think you're probably right about more embedded advertising. I don't think we're going to see that much split-screening. What I do think we'll see is more embedding an advertiser's name/logo in program titles, more integration of advertising into the plot (a bus with a prominent ad on the side drives past the actors; etc.). It's really not anything new either; commercial broadcasting well predates the exclusive use of spot advertising.

 

[LKellerIII]

I think the fear and trembling by the networks may be a little overblown. This is just an incremental techological leap. We already had Fast Forward - this "ad zapper" will just make it easier. Are the networks assuming that viewers have been too lazy to fast forward through commercials up to this point?

I've been fast-forwarding through commercials for almost 30 years now - since the beginnings of the VCR era.

 

[Markxxx]

Paying for content would produce a lot and I mean a lot less money. Think about it, I go to the gym. Maybe 50 people are on treadmills watching TV and subject to ads. If you pay, the health club is going to pay one fee.

My house may have one person or a party of 25. Ads reach everyone. Pay per watch will not.

Believe it or not people DO watch ads. People always say, what's the difference between skipping an ad and walking out of the room while it plays. Nothing, except most people don't do this. They think they will but most don't

It's like when Walgreens has milk for $1.99/gallon. I am one of the few people that just buys milk. Most people go to get milk and buy something NOT on sale.

 

[FreddyE1977]

If dish moves forward then the networks should pull their programming. Dish has no right messing with the broadcast signals period.

Dish is not doing anything to the broadcast signals. They are providing a technology which the consumer
may use to "mess" with the broadcast signal if they choose.

 

[PirateJohnny]

...What I think will ultimately happen over the years is that we'll see more ads embedded within the actual programs. It may be as simple as a little pop-up similar to a channel bug, or I could potentially see a "split screen" type deal with ads constantly running on the side or bottom of the screen during live programming.

How I Met Your Mother is doing this already! They are sending a few "product placement" specially edited shows out in syndication this season. They are digitally adding items in the picture, such as a laptop on a desk open to a businesses webpage, easily readable by the viewer, or a large screen monitor on a wall in the background on that same webpage.

 

[kenglish]

"The following segment of tonight's show is brought to you by Winegard antennas".
"Stay tuned for our next program, presented by Antennacraft".
"Tonight, on IgettaLottaChannelsFree News............"

So, are they still sending you the show, as it was broadcast by your local affiliate, or is it a generic national feed?
Stations could really screw them up by just altering the start/stop times by several seconds, varying from the national feed times.

 

[arnoldevns]

It would be interesting to see what Dish would do if say Disney or News corp refused to sign new carriage deals with Dish over this issue. They would be well within their rights to do so.

 

[LKellerIII]

It would be interesting to see what Dish would do if say Disney or News corp refused to sign new carriage deals with Dish over this issue. They would be well within their rights to do so.

Good point. Perhaps not coincidentally, Disney (ABC) and NewsCorp (Fox) are the two networks that disable fast-forward for Comcast On Demand. If you want to watch ABC and Fox programs on demand, the only way to avoid the commercials is to leave the room. Or I guess you could watch the shows backward...they don't disable rewind. ;D

 

[TVCOOL]

It would be interesting to see what Dish would do if say Disney or News corp refused to sign new carriage deals with Dish over this issue. They would be well within their rights to do so.

Good point. Perhaps not coincidentally, Disney (ABC) and NewsCorp (Fox) are the two networks that disable fast-forward for Comcast On Demand. If you want to watch ABC and Fox programs on demand, the only way to avoid the commercials is to leave the room. Or I guess you could watch the shows backward...they don't disable rewind. ;D

Lets see Dish minus the top 4 broacast networks (who knows ABC ,CBS ,Fox & NBC would blackout their programming on Dish until this "Ad Hop" fades away) ,IMO i enjoy the ads ,and easy if one don't like the commericals then go get a snack or go to the bathroom during them.

 

[dhett]

How I Met Your Mother is doing this already! They are sending a few "product placement" specially edited shows out in syndication this season. They are digitally adding items in the picture, such as a laptop on a desk open to a businesses webpage, easily readable by the viewer, or a large screen monitor on a wall in the background on that same webpage.

Bingo! Aggressive product placement is the wave of the future. Worked great on The Truman Show!

 

[Markxxx]

From the George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (radio)

George Burns) And then...

Bill Goodwin) But George...

George) Run along Bill I'm...

Bill) You'll never run a long bill if you use new Swan Soap. It's the new white floating soap, even milder than the mildest castile soap. It's economical because it breaks in half. You can use half in the kitchen for dishes and light laundry and half in the bathroom for....

George) Aw you made a commercial.


---------->

Gracie) Why are you all dressed up?

George) I'm meeting with the sponsor for lunch. So make sure we have plenty of Spam.

Gracie) Oh getting all formal for Hor-mal

George) Gracie!!!

[Spam is made by Hormel]

 

[landtuna]

Good one Mark!

As a fan of old radio shows I have heard a plethora of embedded ads in those old nuggets. In those days most of the shows were actually owned (sponsored) by a single product and that product became intertwined in the story line or was segued seamlessly into commercial breaks. Even as recently as Paul Harvey's radio show he'd begin a commercial as if he was beginning another story.

It's nothing new.

 

[azumanga]

Perhaps not coincidentally, Disney (ABC) and NewsCorp (Fox) are the two networks that disable fast-forward for Comcast On Demand. If you want to watch ABC and Fox programs on demand, the only way to avoid the commercials is to leave the room.

Or turn the set off (but not the box) -- unless it emits a special signal that disables the "off" button on the set.

 

[PirateJohnny]

How exactly does the Ad Hopper identify commercials? Is it because the volume is twice as loud?