Thursday, February 18, 2010
TiVo is Bad for Most Viewers
Everyone I know who has TiVo has only good things to say. The only problem is, most people don't have it. As the Economic Logician explains, as more and more people fast forward through commercials, there will actually be an increase in commercials to make up for revenue. Those with TiVo are unaffected, but those without have to suffer. Another problem is that stations may actually leave advertising supported over-the-air TV, thereby hurting all penny-pinchers. The solution is to buy TiVo before everyone else and hope that the decreasing cost of providing free TV (like the analog to digital switch) will continue to give us free entertainment.
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That solution seems to largely have worked. I read a while ago about how Tivo has been hurting financially. I don't think we're going to see widespread adoption, what with cable companies offering DVRs, the internet, netflix, and so on.
ReplyDeleteThere was some interesting discussion on this from my Google Buzz readers. Here are some highlights:
ReplyDeleteApparently companies keep the primary item in the commercial static so that even when you fast forward it, you see it.
Also, you can also overlay a commercial over the program you are fast forwarding.
And finally, there is evidence that even in fast-forward, you still comprehend the ad.
Thanks Chi and Juan.