Tivo predicts who gets voted off Idol?

[trixxxie15]

I read that TIVO has accurately predicted the person to go home the last 4 weeks. Anyone know where you can find out who they're going to predict each week? I know it is Syesha for this week. Below is the article from tmz.com

If you want to place bets on "Idol" in Vegas, we think we found a way you could score millions of bucks.

TiVo may have cracked the mystery of who gets kicked off and who doesn't. Company insiders say they can predict who's not connecting by TiVo usage.

Here's the deal. In a sample of 20,000 users, TiVo monitors traffic -- which contestants get replayed (a sign of popularity) and which one's get fast-forwarded.

You think it's bogus? Well, the TiVo system has nailed who got booted four weeks in a row.

And who does TiVo say is getting the ax tonight? Poor Syesha. Take it to the bank, people.

[Cainebj]

Guess not :)

[Roadblock]

Take it to the bank, people.

or not

[appleye1]

Complete BS I think.

Here's the orignal story - http://www.tmz.com/2008/04/10/crazy-tv-contraption-predicts-idol-losers/

Most of the news links on Google reference that same TMZ.com story. I wonder if it's even real or if TMZ.com just made it up.

Let's see a news report with a quote from an actual Tivo employee.

[pmyers]

do people actually rewind or FF through performances?

[bqmeister]

I ff through a lot of performances.
I don't rewind through many this year. I haven't found anyone I really like.

[I Like To Watch]

I don't think tivo can monitor when I pause, FF or rewind... Can they??

[MickeS]

Yeah, that was accurate. :rolleyes:

[MickeS]

I don't think tivo can monitor when I pause, FF or rewind... Can they??

Yes, they do monitor that, but it's anonymous data. I think it's only if you opt in to participate.

[Cearbhaill]

do people actually rewind or FF through performances?
I do.

[ToddNeedsTiVo]

After the Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction," wasn't TiVo saying that it was the most heavily replayed moment in their users' history?

[astrohip]

If you want to place bets on "Idol" in Vegas, we think we found a way you could score millions of bucks.
I guess I'm lucky I didn't see this last night before the show. Saved myself millions. Wife woulda killed me, blowing the retirement fund on Idol wagers. :D

[cwoody222]

So, the "source" of this story is TMZ?

Yea, that's believable. TiVo hasn't said ANYTHING on the matter. 'Till then, I cry foul.

[DeDondeEs]

I FF through performances all of the time, especially that David Archuletta, and the guy with the dreadlocks.

[LoadStar]

I don't think tivo can monitor when I pause, FF or rewind... Can they??

Every keypress you make on your remote is logged.

However, only "aggregate," anonymous data is actually gathered by TiVo. For example, they don't know that you, personally, rewinded and rewatched the Victoria's Secret ad (just an example, I don't know if you did or not! ;)), but they can find out that 25 people in zip code 24653 rewound at 3:27.

You can call and opt out of even this anonymous aggregate data gathering by calling TiVo Customer Service. Also, from time to time, TiVo has allowed you to opt IN to more specific, non-anonymous data gathering, but you have to opt in to these programs - TiVo's privacy policy prevents them from gathering this information without an opt-in.

[pdhenry]

I think if you "opt in" for things like KidZone and Guru Guides you also opt in for sharing your usage info. From what I can gather from the privacy policy opting in for those signs you up for sharing user-specific information with TiVo - there's no clear mid-way in the policy.

[Uncle Briggs]

I ff through a lot of performances.
I don't rewind through many this year. I haven't found anyone I really like.+1

[marksman]

do people actually rewind or FF through performances?

Hell yeah....

Good ones I watch over sometimes multiple times (although this seems to be a rare thing, I havent' rewound one this season...) and as things go on, I will watch the first 10 seconds or so of someone I don't care much for and fast forward to the end.

[Marc]

I'll rewind performances if the judges make a comment about the song that I missed, just to see if maybe I overlooked something.

Usually upon a second viewing, I'm still just as unimpressed as I was the first time. :)

[getreal]

So, the "source" of this story is TMZ?

Yea, that's believable. TiVo hasn't said ANYTHING on the matter. 'Till then, I cry foul.

And the OP has only made the one post. I say he/she works for tmz and joins forums to generate traffic to the tmz webpage. Probably earns a commission based on the number of clicks.

[ThePennyDropped]

And the OP has only made the one post. I say he/she works for tmz and joins forums to generate traffic to the tmz webpage. Probably earns a commission based on the number of clicks.

Not impossible, but I first heard this story on a local radio station. (Again, TMZ was reported as their source.)

[That Don Guy]

Below is the article from tmz.com

If you want to place bets on "Idol" in Vegas
...then all you have to do is (a) get a credit card from a bank outside of the USA (or deposit some money in a non-USA bank account), and (b) while in Vegas, log onto a gambling site that is taking bets on Idol (I can think of two off the top of my head). (Of course, you can do that from anywhere, but this is the only way you can "place the bet in Vegas".)

It is against the law in Nevada for any casino's sports book to accept bets on non-sporting events such as Idol. They can set odds (for publicity purposes), but none of them are going to risk being shut down and losing all of the potential Super Bowl and NCAA men's basketball tournament money by taking a bet on something like this.

-- Don