Whats the deal with AD's on TV today

[dreamaker]

Back when, I use to watch TV and an ad would pop up, say 15sec.-30sec., OK no problem people have to make a living. Then they kicked up to 30sec. and 60sec. little annoying but OK, I can live with it, then multiple 30/60sec. ads.  Starting to get on my nerve now, I timed one recently and it was six minutes long, about some medication for an ailment that can cause other problems.  Who doesn't want to hear that, right. Damn if you do and damn if you don't!!!  Now back when, you could get Cable and not have to put up with ads, if you noticed I said back when. Time goes on, the same deal on cable 30sec. and 60sec. ads. don't matter, antenna or cable we are flooded with ads, they are cutting out parts on shows, episodes, and programs to show the ads vs. showing your program. Now I live in a suburb of Detroit and don't if it is the same on you TV area. But lately, while what ever I have been watching on TV on occasion, in the lower left corner of the TV, during the show I am watching, an ad will show for about 15sec. or so. What is the deal with that!!!  Subliminal Messages maybe. What do you think!!!!

[Jack B]

I also hate all the adds on TV. So we record all our shows even the news I don't need to see the weather every 5 mins. That way we watch when we want to.

[indybobm]

I agree. Lately it seems that every time I change channels I have to watch 5 minutes of commercials to see if the program on that channel is what I want to watch. It's almost like they know when I change channels and then que up all of the commercials. Seriously, commercials are on the rise.
When I'm checking news on the internet, I typically open up 5 or so windows at the same. These stories do not contain a video of the story but they all start a commercial on top of the news story. If I have not muted the speaker, I hear all 5 at the same time. As for the TV, I use the mute button a lot.

[old2soon]

I've noticed on late night that when a commercial starts I can scant the other channels and usually the other channels are in commercial too!   One of the reasons I like my public channels.   And I got off the pay T V merry go round a couple years ago.   But as to the main point of your post-I have YET to buy ANYTHING they say I can't live without!   And I appear to be doing rather well without stuff I can't live without!   RIDE SAFE.

[indybobm]

Flip a quarter 50 times and you would expect it to come up heads half the time, right?
When watching TV, half of what you see is program and the other half is commercials.
Again, 50/50.

So why is it that when I change channels, I get commercials 95% of the time?

[Hook#3287]

I also hate all the adds on TV. So we record all our shows even the news I don't need to see the weather every 5 mins. That way we watch when we want to.

Exactly

I don't watch anything "Live" any more, including the news.

I DVR everything.  I got my DVR set to record the local 5am to 6am news and get though it in about 15 - 20 mins.  The rest is Ads and repeats.

I record all sports I'm interested in only to watch when 1/2 complete or later, blasting through the ads.  Same for any movies.

Every once in a while I'll watch a commercial, like that financial baby, that I know is funny.

[G-Man]

How about the ads DURING the show ? ? ?

Ghost lettering and pop-up ads in the lower corner during the program, advertising another program on that channel. 

[Hook#3287]

I've noticed on late night that when a commercial starts I can scant the other channels and usually the other channels are in commercial too!   One of the reasons I like my public channels.   And I got off the pay T V merry go round a couple years ago.   But as to the main point of your post-I have YET to buy ANYTHING they say I can't live without!   And I appear to be doing rather well without stuff I can't live without!   RIDE SAFE.

Used to be, if you were watching something on one channel and they cut to the ads, you could move to a different channel and catch some other program.  Seems like about the time the large corporations starting buying up all the smaller independent channels, they started synchronizing the commercial times.

Now, almost all of them are synchronized.

[t-man403]

Advertisers pay to have the ad on TV and then we pay to watch the ad!!  How stupid are we?  That's is just plain wrong IMO.

 I don't watch TV anymore other than a hockey game once a week, due to my life being wasted watching commercials. I have a PVR but I can't think of anything worth recording.
Last night I heard about a product called "ROKU" ........ streaming TV. I'll be looking into that a little more as you only pay for what you want to watch as I understand it. Right now I have a "package" deal with my landline, internet and TV all from one provider to keep the cost down, so in other words .......... I'm paying for TV I don't watch!! 

[dreamaker]

I don't watch a heck of allot of TV, specially in the summer, but when I want to kick back a relax I don't want to watch crap about useless snake oil on TV.  I get channels by out door antenna, get about 45 free channels. One good thing I live near the lake and Canada is just across, so I get Canadian channels also as far a Toronto. When our head master comes on TV and passes on his latest deceptions, I switch to an Canadian station and finish watching the show. It seem that Canada is not as bad as the US yet in ads. Also in my area the overlay ad on the lower corner is showing products and services now. I guess that is the way of the future for TV.

T-Man403, you got some wheels rolling in my head now, First if you go to CBS/video or Hulu on the internet it is free with minimal ads,(look fine) also you can go to Hulu plus for a small charge.  I have one of my computer connected to my 46" flat-screen and watch the shows I missed on CBS/video or mostly on Hulu.  I seen on Canada TV they have their own internet TV I think it is CraveTV.com, correct me if I an wrong on that. But the thing that you got my wheels going is that TV eventually only be available through the internet.

[BobB]

I probably watch too much TV.  Never got into recording but we do have a VCR.  My biggest issue with commercials is the increase in volume.  I believe legistrators looked into this a while back.  I generally hit the mute button and head to the kitchen.  I know I have enough time to find a snack with current commercial lengths.  Hmmmm, this might explain my waist line...   
 

[dreamaker]

infomercials: Another one, It use to be maybe in the middle of the night or in the early morning you would see them. Now they are on TV almost prime time. And whats the deal, do some of these people in them, do they go to the University of Dumbass , they act like they wake up with a new mind each morning and surprised there is life on earth. I sometimes watch them for a entertainment or a laugh. I say to myself that know one is that stupid to believe them. But  now I know that I am wrong, there are people that are that stupid after reading the thread about "Question about Seafoam" I stand corrected. The infomercials act like what they are selling is better that sex, now I understand how Hitler and Charles Manson wooed people.

[Jess from VA]

I agree with all this, but have another angle.

Millions and millions are spent on TV advertising in this country.  For this kind of money, you must figure J. Walter Thompson and others do the math and study the results to justify such expense.  Some things work, and some things don't, and over time they must THINK they have an idea of what works best to sell any particular type of product.  

If so, how come the vast majority of our TV commercials are stupid, irritating, insulting, not funny, aggravating, and generally make me want to scream and throw a brick thru my TV?  I don't just dislike them, I hate them with a jihadi-like passion.  I don't DVR, but am the master of the mute button, and channel surfing to watch parts of other shows or news when commercials are on the show I am watching (or I read a book/magazine during commercials).  Over the years, I have been so aggravated at certain commercials that I have ensured I NEVER buy or use that product, even if it is good or the best quality product.  I vote with my wallet.

Then there is all the obviously lawyer/legal/regulation driven disclaimers (which they probably have no choice in using to limit liability).  This pill will make your life wonderful, but you may develop hives, crap your pants, lose your hearing, grow a 2d penis, become gay, go insane, or die.  

Remember when you would occasionally get an hour of European/foreign commercials as a TV show, and you said to yourself, hey most of these are interesting, thought provoking, well done, and even entertaining?  I guess it is just part of the general dumbing-down of America.

And didn't the Fed (FCC?) promise us they were going to stop them from raising the volume on the TV for commercials, like 5-6 years ago?  What ever happened to that?

With the tech available, a TV box should have been made years ago that automatically mutes and blacks out the screen during all commercials.  I'd buy that. (not interested in DVR, or paying extra for that service)

Why do the vast majority of TV commercials simply suck?

Rant over (for now)
 

[Gryphon Rider]

And didn't the Fed (FCC?) promise us they were going to stop them from raising the volume on the TV for commercials, like 5-6 years ago?  What ever happened to that?

Not a TV tech, but what I suspect is that most shows have a moderate volume level, but occasionally peak at a maximum volume during action or arguing scenes, audience applause, etc.  Commercials are almost constantly at that same maximum volume, but because they don't exceed the maximum, they are technically in compliance.

[bigguy]

I agree with all this, but have another angle.

Millions and millions are spent on TV advertising in this country.  For this kind of money, you must figure they do the math and study the results to justify such expense.  Some things work, and some things don't, and over time they must THINK they have an idea of what works best to sell any particular type of product.

They actually do have some feedback mechanisms in place to let them know which efforts return results. As you pointed out, there is a lot of money involved, and they are going to be sure they get a reasonable bang for their buck.

If so, how come the vast majority of our TV commercials are stupid, irritating, insulting, not funny, aggravating, and generally make me want to scream and throw a brick thru my TV?  I don't just dislike them, I hate them with a passion.  I don't DVR, but am the master of the mute button, and channel surfing to watch parts of other shows or news when commercials are on the show I am watching (or I read a book/magazine during commercials).  Over the years, I have been so aggravated at certain commercials that I have ensured I NEVER buy or use that product, even if it is good or the best quality product.  I vote with my wallet.

I know how you feel and I’ve made the same promise to myself. Unfortunately my resolve often falls short. I suspect that the amount of business lost to people angered by a commercial is statistically (and financially) insignificant.

Then there is all the obviously lawyer/legal/regulation driven disclaimers (which they probably have no choice in using to limit liability).  This pill will make your life wonderful, but you may develop hives, crap your pants, lose your hearing, grow a 2d penis, become gay, go insane, or die.  

Yep. Doubt they have much choice on that. However, as time goes on there may even be a reverse logic benefit. Folks are getting used to the idea of powerful drugs having side effects, so it may be that in the mind of many a drug that doesn’t come with scary disclaimers just isn’t powerful enough to do any thing.

Remember when you would occasionally get an hour of European/foreign commercials as a TV show, and you said to yourself, hey most of these are interesting, thought provoking, well done, and even entertaining? I guess it is just part of the general dumbing-down of America.

Pretty well answered your own question there.

And didn't the Fed (FCC?) promise us they were going to stop them from raising the volume on the TV for commercials, like 5-6 years ago?  What ever happened to that?

Turns out there is loud, then there is loud. They pretty quickly figured out that you can get something that sounds loud by using select frequencies, jarring stops and starts, and a few other techniques without actually putting out more decibels. Additionally, commercials run at closed to the full allowed volume where programs usually are below that.
The regulation quickly became academic. I doubt anybody even checks for it anymore.

With the tech available, a TV box should have been made years ago that automatically mutes and blacks out the screen during all commercials.  I'd buy that. (not interested in DVR, or paying extra for that service)

There would have to be some metric that distinguishes programming from commercial. That would be easy to overcome by the broadcaster who is being paid by the advertiser. Remember, those aggravating ads are what actually pay for the classic, over the air broadcasting.

Why do the vast majority of TV commercials simply suck?

 

Because as counter intuitive as it seems, they work, and return a profit.

Rant over (for now)
 

[dreamaker]

Years ago there was a box called the Stripper, that cut out the commercials on analog TV. It worked on volume, commercials raised their volume and the stripper kick in, believe it or not it worked well.  Years ago in Detroit Metro TV area we had two TV goof balls on TV adds. MR. Belvadere and Ole Fretter they acted goofy, because annoying people stick in our heads rather than regular ones. Believe it or not, they backed up their mouth on their promises and came through.   Back in school there is what they call industrial psychologist which studies peoples habits of buying and influence to do so, don't know what they are called to day. The one that gets me is every time I turn around or go on the net, seems Progressive with Flo ads, I'd like to hit her with a shovel. LOL!!!  If I still had Progressive, I would drop them just because of their annoying ads.

[..]

Dropped cable/satellite about 6 years ago.

Too much mind numbing nonsense. Too many $$$ for a load of bollocks.

Too much sports. A 3 hour NFL game that ONLY has about 4 minutes of actual play. 

Time outs for TV ads - ever felt manipulated?

That's worth watching?  You gotta be joking.

Indoor antenna for local channels and a few others that play movies - some good, some awful.

Netflix instant streaming and DVD for me. We done need no steenkin ads. I don't mind a few previews for other series or movies.

Why do people still pay for a land line phone? Are they all still faxing 

[old2soon]

The commercials I truly DESPISE are ANY commercial that makes anyone of any gender and of any race look dumber than dog kaka. AND there are MORE than anyones fair share of those going round.   Course I got sucked in one night-anybody here need some full race blown G M C fuses??   RIDE SAFE.

[dreamaker]

I'm on a roll today!!! old2soon, you reminded me of something, that sits in the back of my head.  Over here on many commercials where the men are depicted as a mindless buffoons with out a clue.  Even the children are viewed as wiser then the Father, Head of house hold and bread winner of the family.  Now the women they show as goddess like gifted characters that go in to a euphoria like trance after eating a piece of chocolate and is wiser  of them all. I say don't judge, just say observe the ads and see if you notice it or is it just me.

[Romeo]

Its called the capitalist system. Free enterprise. The American way. Should I go on?

[Art708]

  The sad thing is.....I was living in Orlando, FL when they were trying to get cable there. Their big thing was that if you paid for cable then you wouldn't be bothered with commercials since cable wasn't sponsor supported. Ha!  They sure fooled me.

[bigguy]

Yep, commercials do pay for the programming on the legacy over the air channels. But with the advent of time shifting available with recording devices, viewers can just zip right through most of them. So, for a time in the late 90s, advertisers began putting some effort into their commercials. There were several that I'd actually stop to watch. The pinnacle of these for me were the Nissan commercials.

Nissan Maxima Pigeons	powered by Aeva

1996 Nissan commercial "Toys" (Featuring the 300ZX and "Girl, you really got me now")	powered by Aeva

[bigguy]

And if you haven't seen this series of commercials, then you've missed a treat. A better than 4 minutes I can't imagine the first one ever ran on TV. But I think I'd watch it if it did.

Doghouse for husbands who mess up: beware !!!	powered by Aeva

[czuch]

Sometimes ya just gotta wonder, "Who in the world approved that comercial"?
From the chick who runs out of air half way through the sentence and croaks out the last few words
to the darling little girl singing the song about sending a picture of yourself to family and friends who is completely un-understandable. Can you say, run on rant sentence?
The computer cleaner, where the smart as all get out wife derides him, or the impatient entitled daughter just wants a new computer, gets me. The witch dosent respect him, as evidenced by the lack of a kiss or anything on her way out to be with the girls. The daughter wasnt diciplined enough as a pup and there fore will be high maintenance, PITA.
 He shouldnt have gone lobster diving when there are obviously locks to change and laywers to call.
Hmmmph,,,,,,guess I did have something to say.

[dreamaker]

And if you haven't seen this series of commercials, then you've missed a treat. A better than 4 minutes I can't imagine the first one ever ran on TV. But I think I'd watch it if it did.

Doghouse for husbands who mess up: beware !!!

I'm Sorry, but I have to say that was a great ad, and it hit closer to home then you think.

[Willow]

...
If so, how come the vast majority of our TV commercials are stupid, irritating, insulting, not funny, aggravating, and generally make me want to scream and throw a brick thru my TV?  
...

Two short answers, Jess. 

First, the point of a commercial is often not to convince you of something but simply to bring a brad name to your mind when the time is right.

Secondly, statistically half the population is below average in intelligence.   

[gabby]

Everyone has their perfect commercial and I remember one that was shown on Dec. 31, 2000.
      The principal lady is first shown with a new child at a Hardee's enjoying a cheeseburger, fries, and a drink. The announcer says to the effect-ENJOY IT NOW AS YOUR GOING TO ENJOY GOING TO McDONALDS FOR THE NEXT 18 YEARS.  JUICY MEAT--CRISPY LETTUCE--SPECIAL SAUCE--MAYO-TOMATOES ENJOY WHILE YOU CAN!!!! 18 YEARS IS A LONG TIME..  ENJOY!!!

Gabby