There is an interesting little bit over at the NY Times about research the Disney-ABC Television Group is working on. That research involves inserting multiple commercials into ad breaks for the online versions of their prime time shows. Well, you had to see this one coming, right?
It's understandable that they would want to increase the revenue from the medium. Just as it's understandable that if it's a success we'll see the other networks follow suit. But, they do need to be careful that they don't chase those fans they do have away by annoying them. Although, admittedly, I would not be one to complain about more Rachel Specter commercials.
Personally, I don't watch any of the new programming via the internet. The only things I watch online are those shows that aren't readily available elsewhere, like Off Centre (try it, totally under rated). Still, while not for me, I know a number of people that watch a lot of online television. I have one friend that actually canceled her cable when she figured out that every show she watched was available online. And her favorite part about it, aside from no cable bill, was the relative lack of commercials.
The Cheers episode Ken Levine's still writing in his head
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-05-2008 @ 10:27AM
Galley said...
Rachel Specter should have her own network.
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5-05-2008 @ 12:00PM
Gordon Werner said...
amen to that
5-05-2008 @ 11:36AM
Derek said...
I'd welcome it, if it meant that those outside the US could get to watch shows too via the networks' websites. Currently it's not possible.
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5-05-2008 @ 7:18PM
Paul said...
Unfortunately, it'll likely never be possible, since the Canadian networks who own those shows' broadcast rights north of the border would be up in arms. Luckily, more and more shows are becoming available on their Canadian networks' websites (CTV Broadband has quite a bit, as they're leading the way online on BOTH sides of the border with their huge CTV/TSN/Comedy Network/etc. library).
5-05-2008 @ 11:49AM
dt3 said...
now i am not saying that the networks should move to 3-4 minute commercial breaks like they do on the actual broadcast but it has always seemed odd to me that they only show one (30-45 second commercial).
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5-05-2008 @ 12:20PM
Darren said...
Networks love to irritate their viewers don't they! The more irritating commercials they can squeeze in the better!
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5-05-2008 @ 7:20PM
Paul said...
The more ads they throw in there on the online streaming videos, the more likely they'll send people to illegal download options. Given the fact that streaming video is much lower quality than broadcast TV (and not even comparable to HD), they shouldn't expect people to put up with the same amount of ads and not seek out other options.
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5-06-2008 @ 5:03PM
Adam said...
The whole reason there is really high ad recall rates with online viewing is there is only one, short, commercial every 15 minutes or so. When you start adding more, you are going to dilute ad retention rate. People will go off and do something else for that 1-2 minute block (go to the bathroom, or mute their sound to go check their email).
I thought it was smart to only have one quick commercial that people will pay attention to. What they should to is raise the rates on the shorter ads, rather than simply adding more.
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5-08-2008 @ 11:09PM
Star said...
Here is a good site to watch free online tv. It's easy to use with lots of channels (over 1000) and you don't have to download anything.
http://www.tvweb360.com
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6-04-2008 @ 10:35PM
adria said...
I agree, adding more ads to streaming shows would annoy people. Personally, having less ads is at least half the reason I watch shows online. In the end, TV and the Internet will probably evolve into one thing. All shows will be available streaming online, any time, with ads.
I recently created a site that makes it super easy to watch TV online, for those of us that love to stream shows on demand from network sites.
www.links2.tv is one simple easy to use page that contains the most direct link to all streaming shows available online. It's free of course!
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