Networks look to remove commercial skipping ability from DVR's

[Gamma_Winstead]

Source

Today is DVR mania day.

With DVRs in nearly 40% of US households and with more and more viewers merrily skipping commercials, TV networks think they have a solution. They’ll just take the DVRs (or the ability to skip commercials) away from you!

In a piece by LA Times Joe Flint (that you should read), he outlines part of the network’s plan as given to him by CBS’ David Poltrack.

“I call DVRs a transitional technology,” said David Poltrack, the chief research officer of CBS. In an interview, Poltrack said the DVR will be supplanted by streaming and VOD that will “give the consumer the ability to watch shows any way they want to and to do so in a way that is much more advertiser-friendly.” [i.e. no commercial skipping.]

[…]

Those who would prefer to keep their DVRs won’t escape ads either. Sooner or later the distributors will just make it impossible to skip commercials on shows recorded with DVRs.

I’ve always thought that VOD should have been pushed earlier and faster by the networks and / or the cable/satco providers and that would have substantially blunted the adoption of DVRs.

I’m sure given a cost savings plenty of folks would go for VOD vs. a DVR, but certainly not all. And as Flint notes, a “cost savings” to the consumer is a “revenue loss” for the cable or satellite company.

And given the rollout speed of VOD, even more consumers will get used to DVRs before it is a reasonable substitute.

For many, I think the DVR horse has already left the barn.

Yay?

[SDon1969]

My FIOS-issued DVR can skip commercials? Crap, I've just bveen using the Fast Forward button to get through them!

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

My FIOS-issued DVR can skip commercials? Crap, I've just bveen using the Fast Forward button to get through them!

not sure if youre joking or not... but im pretty sure that is what the article is about... that you wont be able to Fast Forward commercials anymore...

which is really annoying...but i knew this day would come eventually

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

My FIOS-issued DVR can skip commercials? Crap, I've just bveen using the Fast Forward button to get through them!

Exactly. Unless they take away the fast forward button...this is a non-issue.

[Septimus Prime]

I can see this either depressing DVR sales or pushing people toward less scrupulous methods for getting shows.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Exactly. Unless they take away the fast forward button...this is a non-issue.

/facepalm

Are you two SERIOUS?

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by gamma626

/facepalm

Are you two SERIOUS?

I must be a DVR moron, also. Is there a way to FF through commercials other than using the FF button?

[Gamma_Winstead]

No. It's what the article is about. You skip the commercials by fast forwarding. So this would be taking away the FF button.

[fatediesel]

I'm curious how the networks could force cable companies to stop them from renting DVRs with fast forward/skipping capability. If they told them they wouldn't agree to a new contract unless they got rid of the skipping functionality than I would think the cable companies and maybe the hardware manufacturers could sue the networks or the cable companies could band together and refuse to limit DVR functionality.

[Deadset]

Where is the source link? Who is the author and how credible are they?

Those who would prefer to keep their DVRs won’t escape ads either. Sooner or later the distributors will just make it impossible to skip commercials on shows recorded with DVRs.

The only way I see them doing this is removing FF completely or putting a watermark on the content that is commercial vs the show. I'm not sure how much of a pain this would be. If this happens....I'll show you a Norwegian who'll crack it and several other after market DVR's will appear. The Networks can't dictate what the cable provider can lease you or what hardware the individual can use. You pay for the cable. You pay for the box. This isn't a DRM issue. This isn't communist China.

[Gamma_Winstead]

You must be new not to know where I get my stuff from.

here.

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

I must be a DVR moron, also. Is there a way to FF through commercials other than using the FF button?

I believe some DVR's have the capability to skip forward 30 seconds. It's possible a visionary director or CEO wants this done, but it's going to be a logistical nightmare. Can you imagine the uproar over the little rubber button manufacturers? There gross sales will be down by 4%!!!

Originally Posted by gamma626

You must be new not to know where I get my stuff from.

here.

Or could it be I have a life outside this realm? It's always customary to post the link in the initial post.

[LynxFX]

Most DVR remotes can have a button programmed to have a 30 second or however many second skip you want. I did it on my original Tivo and on every Time Warner Cable DVR I've had. I've never used the FF button, always 30 skip, and 10 second back buttons. Fringe was the best when they would actually say "Fringe will return in 90 seconds" *click-click-click* "Now back to Fringe".

They would really have to butcher a DVR's usefulness to remove commercial skipping. There will always be a way to reprogram the remote to bypass such measures, or a competitor will come out with their own DVR that specifically touts the ability to skip commercials.

Wasn't there a study not to long ago that said people were more likely to watch and absorb the information in a commercial when they are watching on a DVR? I thought they mentioned that people would actually rewind and watch a commercial they were interested in. Plus all those gimmick commercials that could only be viewed on a DVR and frame stepping.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Where is the source link? Who is the author and how credible are they?



The only way I see them doing this is removing FF completely or putting a watermark on the content that is commercial vs the show. I'm not sure how much of a pain this would be. If this happens....I'll show you a Norwegian who'll crack it and several other after market DVR's will appear. The Networks can't dictate what the cable provider can lease you or what hardware the individual can use. You pay for the cable. You pay for the box. This isn't a DRM issue. This isn't communist China.

Fairly quickly I would think, entrepreneurship in action. First one to market will make a mint.

Provided any of this happens.

[thelittleprince]

Meh. Not gonna happen. Advertisers will have to find other ways to catch viewers attention. Product placement perhaps.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

I'm curious how the networks could force cable companies to stop them from renting DVRs with fast forward/skipping capability. If they told them they wouldn't agree to a new contract unless they got rid of the skipping functionality than I would think the cable companies and maybe the hardware manufacturers could sue the networks or the cable companies could band together and refuse to limit DVR functionality.

Yeah really one hand washes the other if the cable companies are making bank on DVR service why would they stop at the same time a network would lose money if they weren't broadcasting on say DirectTV or Comcast.

[ManUtd]

They want to get rid of the FF button? I must be missing something here. Forget commercials, what if I want to fast forward to the second half of a football match or to a specific scene of a movie? Surely they don't expect consumers to waste their time watching everything from the start.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by LynxFX

Most DVR remotes can have a button programmed to have a 30 second or however many second skip you want. I did it on my original Tivo and on every Time Warner Cable DVR I've had. I've never used the FF button, always 30 skip, and 10 second back buttons. Fringe was the best when they would actually say "Fringe will return in 90 seconds" *click-click-click* "Now back to Fringe".

I really need to read-up on my DVR remote functions, as I probably have something similar. I hate to admit this, but my WIFE actually showed me a function button the other day that advanced 24 hours in the guide (though my son showed her). I can't tell you how many times I've held the right arrow button down forever trying to see if a show was new several days in the future.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

I really need to read-up on my DVR remote functions, as I probably have something similar. I hate to admit this, but my WIFE actually showed me a function button the other day that advanced 24 hours in the guide (though my son showed her). I can't tell you how many times I've held the right arrow button down forever trying to see if a show was new several days in the future.

oldman.gif

[WyldeMan45]

Take away FF, they really think they can stop the torrents? Give me skip or give me death.

Rising up against the commercial tyranny is I!!!!!

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

I really need to read-up on my DVR remote functions, as I probably have something similar. I hate to admit this, but my WIFE actually showed me a function button the other day that advanced 24 hours in the guide (though my son showed her). I can't tell you how many times I've held the right arrow button down forever trying to see if a show was new several days in the future.

Yeah, that's what I call the green button.