DVR Usage to Blame for Idiotic, Invasive Intrusions
We did it to ourselves. Yes we did. With help from our much-loved DVRs. We started a war. A war between those who want to skip commercial and those who want people to see them no matter what technology exists to skip them. The latest in an increasing list of tactics comes from TBS which is running promotions during programming which involves pausing the show while an ad runs on the lower third of the screen. Right now, it's just station promos but, seriously, how long before we see paid advertising in this space? We did it to ourselves.
Some have pointed out the intrusive promotions are simply mirroring what's being promoted; the Bill Engvall show in a TV remote is a prominent plot element. Still. There's no doubt, after seeing this, every marketer will scream, "I want one!"
Comments
It may be our doing, but its not our fault. If they pause the show for an ad, we'll just fast forward again. Everyone's getting better at remoting.
It's their job to adjust the media and the business model to us. I don't have that answer, but it's evolve or die for all these dinosaurs.
It may be our doing, but its not our fault. If they pause the show for an ad, we'll just fast forward again. Everyone's getting better at remoting. It's their job to adjust the media and business model to us. Instead, they fracture the show into 2 minute bits. I don't have a better answer, but it's evolve or die for all these dinosaurs.
I think this strategy is going to be used more and more in television. I personally hate it. Its like getting a phone call, or someone at your door right in the middle of your show. I don't like being interrupted. At least with commercials they stop them at good break times, instead of middle of the sentence. I found it a nuisance.
Yes, programmers do need to evolve to keep pace with the evolving media consumption habits of tech savvy consumers. It will take time, but programmers will eventually adopt solutions that allow them to deliver interactive advertising content to ENHANCE their programming, and there will be ad sponsorship, rather than disrupting viewers. TBS is a great company, they’ll get there. The industry is going through change so it will take time to enable this capability and then enhance with dynamically delivered targeted, relevant, ads – changeable even after an episode has been recorded, that works for programmers, consumers and advertisers alike.
I wrote about this today too. This is going to be something that is going to increase very fast and very soon. We may hate it but it's here to stay.
I actually sent a letter to FX Networks last July because of the number of ad overlays they were doing. Still haven't gotten a response from them. Interesting that our industry loves to talk about the consumer being in control and then we love to do whatever we can to take that control away! A people in captivity will always revolt. The revolution is coming!
I think that it is an interesting way to try and combat the issue-- Not sure what shows it’s been running in, however, I was in the midst of a Family Guy rerun when I was 'brought a message'. I thought it was strange...but, I watched it-- seemed short and harmless enough. It reminded me of the interruptions you experience when viewing local broadcast stations latest episodes online. They intrude for about 15 seconds then that you back to your show.
I think that it is an interesting way to try and combat the issue-- Not sure what shows it’s been running in, however, I was in the midst of a Family Guy rerun when I was 'brought a message'. I thought it was strange...but, I watched it-- seemed short and harmless enough. It reminded me of the interruptions you experience when viewing local broadcast stations latest episodes online. They intrude for about 15 seconds then take you back to your show.