Comments on: Television Networks Say DVRs Raise Viewership and Would Jesus Skip Ads? http://thomashawk.com/2005/11/television-networks-say-dvrs-raise.html Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:48:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Steve http://thomashawk.com/2005/11/television-networks-say-dvrs-raise.html/comment-page-1#comment-18620 Steve Thu, 17 Nov 2005 15:43:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=2924#comment-18620 As a TiVo owner for years, I'm not surprised by the reports results. When fast-forwarding through commercials, I jump back to look at ones that appear interesting all of the time. And, there was already a report that showed that viewers fast-forwarding through commercials had much better product recall than those who sat through commercials, because fast-forwarders were concentrating on the screen images looking for the start of the program. <br /><br />And who hasn't gotten the "I can't get a TiVo, I'd be watching TV all the time" response when explaining a TiVo to a non-DVR owner? And it's true, to a certain extent; people watch shows they may not have had time for otherwise, shows they had wanted to check out, older shows that they want to see re-runs of; and when they watch they really watch the TV, instead of just having it on in the background. <br /><br />Now, after a certain period, when the DVR has been integrated into daily life, and the initial euphoria has worn off, viewing habits may get more targeted. But even then, as long as there is enough good content to TiVo, why would viewing habits decrease, why wouldn't they expand to fit whatever interesting content is available? There's a reason why the long tail is the long tail.<br /><br />I don't know where the dig at VOD resistance came from, it sounds like someone is upset that they can't have their own little media paradise. VOD isn't going to be a front-line service from networks until it can have the reach and reliability of broadcast; which, unfortunately, is still years away.<br /><br />Now, that statement about how live TV is the way "God intended" is propaganda, even a tech neophyte could tell you that. Although, my girlfriend and her girl group that get together to watch Survivor and Apprentice live every Thursday would probably disagree. As a TiVo owner for years, I’m not surprised by the reports results. When fast-forwarding through commercials, I jump back to look at ones that appear interesting all of the time. And, there was already a report that showed that viewers fast-forwarding through commercials had much better product recall than those who sat through commercials, because fast-forwarders were concentrating on the screen images looking for the start of the program.

And who hasn’t gotten the “I can’t get a TiVo, I’d be watching TV all the time” response when explaining a TiVo to a non-DVR owner? And it’s true, to a certain extent; people watch shows they may not have had time for otherwise, shows they had wanted to check out, older shows that they want to see re-runs of; and when they watch they really watch the TV, instead of just having it on in the background.

Now, after a certain period, when the DVR has been integrated into daily life, and the initial euphoria has worn off, viewing habits may get more targeted. But even then, as long as there is enough good content to TiVo, why would viewing habits decrease, why wouldn’t they expand to fit whatever interesting content is available? There’s a reason why the long tail is the long tail.

I don’t know where the dig at VOD resistance came from, it sounds like someone is upset that they can’t have their own little media paradise. VOD isn’t going to be a front-line service from networks until it can have the reach and reliability of broadcast; which, unfortunately, is still years away.

Now, that statement about how live TV is the way “God intended” is propaganda, even a tech neophyte could tell you that. Although, my girlfriend and her girl group that get together to watch Survivor and Apprentice live every Thursday would probably disagree.

]]> By: Eddie http://thomashawk.com/2005/11/television-networks-say-dvrs-raise.html/comment-page-1#comment-18621 Eddie Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:01:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=2924#comment-18621 Although I certainly agree with the bulk of this- I just want to go on record as saying that I do FF through commercials, bust still pay somewhat attention to them. I have been known to stop and go back to something of interest. Of course, i still have my replayTV model 5040 with automatic commercial skip. I was VERY happy with that. I guess, out of site out of mind. (which is the whole argument) Although I certainly agree with the bulk of this- I just want to go on record as saying that I do FF through commercials, bust still pay somewhat attention to them. I have been known to stop and go back to something of interest. Of course, i still have my replayTV model 5040 with automatic commercial skip. I was VERY happy with that. I guess, out of site out of mind. (which is the whole argument)

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