Have you heard about TiVo lately? Along with some other news, they recently announced plans to show advertisements while you are fast-forwarding. Kind of defeats the purpose, don’t you think? Well there are lots of bloggers who felt that way, some who disagreed, and some who just said “deal with it”. Put it all together and what do you get? A blogroversy.
So in the newest episode of Blogoversial, titled Blogoversial: TiVo Fast-Forward Ads, we take a look at what the blogosphere is saying about the decision. Check it out!
MasterMaq's Blog 
OK – few things:
I have a Bell Expressvu PVR. I use the 30-second skip (not FF) and it takes less than 4 seconds to skip commercials. Even when I have time to watch a show live, I’ll often let it record because I know I’ll save 33% of my time. I believe I read in a CNN article with the stars of The Simpsons, that they are having shorter episodes now and more commercials!
I think PVR/TiVo/etc. is more about having the freedom to watch things when you want. Also in this case, if the ads do not materially adjust the previous device functionality, then there’s no detriment to the user, and possibly little legal leg to stand on? On the other hand, it does annoy me when Bell ExpressVu (and I hate that they adding the Bell branding at one point) does update the software remotely and doesn’t take me about it properly before hand – I rarely read inserts that come with the paper bill, and don’t want to keep an eye on channel 198 (or whichever) for 30 minutes to discover new features.
Of course TiVo may be slightly worried about Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition (though more expensive, it can now be built with less features, so not so much more expensive), which provide a FREE program guide, and downloadable movies (though all old of course right now – some deal with going to DVD/VHS stores first, then PPV, etc. I have no doubt that MS will try to create an MSN-branded service for watching network TV on an MCE PC on demand.
Of course, in the UK there are still at least two national TV channels and five national radio statiosn that have zero commercials – from the BBC. The downside is that everyone that has equipment capabable of receiving OTA transmissions is legally required to pay a TV license, or face serious concequences.
I think this topic can extend to the age of ‘everything free’ on the Internet. I’m not sure if the company that offered a FREE PC and dial-up in exchange for constant ad real-estate on one’s screen, is still in business. I think people are realising that it’s worth paying a few dollars/pounds/euros/etc to get something that is ad free and has a business model fueled by hot air. Look what happened to the banner ad business.
I agree, I’d rather pay for something than have it ad supported. There are some exceptions, but as a general rule, paid beats ad-supported.
The MCE is an amazing product, and I think longterm it offers much more value than TiVo or similar services. I don’t think however that Microsoft will create an MSN-branded service. Microsoft has realized that the only way they are going to make it in the TV business is by providing software – not services. They spent millions upon millions investing in cable companies and for what? Didn’t get them anywhere. They are a software company, plain and simple. Even things like MSN Music are not meant to make money. They are meant to showcase the software, the technology, and to when necessary, push competitors into improving.
yes, MS didn’t make it to tv business and tv liscence, they should leave it to other companies, just concentrate on their software vendor business in my opinion.