ImMEDIAte Needs: Days of commercial free DVR viewing may be numbered….
Osky News
Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Osky News.
By: Richard Vogel
So you DVR your favorite shows to avoid commercials. Your days of freedom from commercials may be numbered.
And that might be good news for your favorite shows.
Comcast has just applied for a patent for an invention that would allow advertisers to post ads on your DVR programming when you try to avoid advertising by fast forwarding. The technology would even allow advertisers to target you specifically based on your viewing habits. (So, if you watch more public television are you sending a message that you will do anything to avoid commercials?)
Monetizing the DVR may actually save your favorite shows. During the recent National Association of Broadcasting convention I spoke to a person from Fox Television. I mentioned to her that I hope she can save “Fringe.”
She said that while ratings for “Fringe” were dismal, the number of DVR views was impressive. Well, “Fringe” will come back for thirteen episodes this Fall. And many of its viewers will apparently watch the show via DVR. Perhaps if those DVR viewers had to watch some advertising, the viewers might be rewarded by getting more than a half-season commitment.
Yes, watching commercials is the punishment we endure for enjoying our favorite shows. Yes, we avoid that punishment by using our DVR option. If we endure a little punishment with our DVR viewing, we might be able to save our favorite shows.
And maybe not running “Fringe” on Friday night might increase live viewership?
Update: DISH network has announced a system that allows viewers to automatically skip commercials while watching programs on DVR. Fox, NBC and CBS all filed suit to stop the roll out two weeks ago of Auto Hop, the new service from the satellite provider.
This Memorial Day weekend, a commentator on the NPR program “On The Media” predicted the end of broadcast television by 2020. Are we seeing the beginning of that end?
For comments or to see some past columns, please go to:
http://immediateneeds-now.blogspot.com
sources:
http://rbr.com/comcast-patent-could-deliver-ads-to-dvr-viewers-who-skip-spots/
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/25/tech/gaming-gadgets/dish-tv-skip-ads/index.html
