Tivo Advertising SI Swimsuit Show - Not Happy

[Atomike]

Personally, I find this to be completely inappropriate advertising on my main Tivo page. I can't opt out. My family uses this device, and I'm quite upset that this show is advertised.
The only point of this program is be prurient - treating woman like mere objects to be lusted after. I understand that many people today enjoy degrading women in this manner, but I don't think that it should be on my Tivo main page. Although KidZone is an option (and I'm pleased that at least this option exists), I find it a little insulting that I must jump through hoops to avoid this stuff (plus anyone who's used KidZone knows it's a poorly designed, overly obtrusive, and badly implemented feature).
If I didn't have lifetime service, I would have canceled my account yesterday.
If anyone has the contact information (written address or phone) of the CEO, or Vice Presidents, please PM me at your earliest convenience.

[rainwater]

I'm upset the quality was pretty poor. I sure wish Amazon would get HD downloads working soon. Btw, I didn't see anything in the ad objectionable.

[latrobe7]

Whatever you do - don't go to the beach!

[Sparty99]

Seriously? You find it inappropriate that the words "Free SI Swimsuit Video" are on the main page of your TiVo? It's not like if you click on the selection you all of a sudden get a gaggle of scantily clad women jiggling on your TV screen (boy, wouldn't that be a tragedy). In fact, if you can figure out how to get the Swimsuit video to download from your TiVo, could you PM me?

[Stu_Bee]

I was upset as well. I followed the link on my Tivo the other day and it just took me to the Find Programs base directory. No hot chicks anywhere. What did I do wrong?

[jjberger2134]

I am not going to go down the road and judge your morals - because they are your morals. What you find offensive is different than what others find offensive. I am not here to judge your morals and how you live your life.

However, this was a simple one line ad that said "Free SI Swimsuit Video". That in itself is not offensive. After you click on the ad, you need to go through several confirmation screens, including entering a PIN to download from Amazon. Never is there a graphic or a picture of scantily clad women. I cannot image what you could possible be offended about, other than the thought that TiVo is promoting something that you object to. If TiVo stops this sort of advertising, then they might as well pull all of the TiVoCasts and all of the guide data, for the fear that a network names a show that a TiVo user is offended by (example - HBO - Sex in the City). Oh yeah, and they may as well pull Unbox entirely, for the fear that a movie (such as I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry) gets a Gold Star advertisement.

As for protecting your family - you point out that KidZone is an option, but you choose not to use it. With KidZone you never see TiVo Central and thus never will see the ad.

[Martin Tupper]

Originally Posted by Atomike

If I didn't have lifetime service, I would have canceled my account yesterday.

Sell it on eBay.

[bostlaw]

Oyyyyyyyyy.

[MikeMar]

I hope you don't watch ESPN in your family room, aren't there commercials for SI Swimsuit issue w/ PICTURES in the commercial????

(yeah I know you have tivo, but write to ESPN before you write to TiVo regarding this)

[Atomike]

I understand the ideas expressed here - that the actual product is not apparent, but rather merely the words. Ok - what if it was an ad for Playboy? For something even worse? What if it was for Pedophile porn?
It's just words, right?
The fact is that words advertising an offensive product are offensive.
I believe Tivo has gone too far. If Tivo hasn't offended you yet, they might someday. And you'll only be able to blame yourself - Unless you tell them to stop now.

I don't get ESPN - I only get a handful of channels. I keep the TV pretty clean. Which is why this whole mess is so very disappointing.

I don't mind if people make fun of me over this - I've never minded being mocked for standing up.

[Einselen]

Originally Posted by Atomike

What if it was for Pedophile porn?
It's just words, right?

Is this seriously part of your counter argument?

[rainwater]

Originally Posted by Atomike

I don't get ESPN - I only get a handful of channels. I keep the TV pretty clean. Which is why this whole mess is so very disappointing.

So you don't watch ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, etc? What do you watch? There is more objectionable material on PBS than that one line ad.

[Stu_Bee]

"If Tivo hasn't offended you yet, they might someday."
heh. Good point.
But seriously....how did people find the download? The link took me nowhere.

[ciper]

I think someone broke into Atomike's account and posted this as a well worded troll.

I can't imagine anyone technical enough to own a Tivo would be insulted by the word swimsuit.

If this is a true post then I have a question for you Atomike.
Have you ever walked past a Victoria's Secret store? If so did you notice that 99% of the patrons are female? If so are these women "treating women (themselves) like mere objects to be lusted after?"

[jjberger2134]

Originally Posted by Stu_Bee

"If Tivo hasn't offended you yet, they might someday."
heh. Good point.
But seriously....how did people find the download? The link took me nowhere.

The link took me to the TiVoCast Main Menu, where I then clicked on Amazon Unbox, then paged down to "Free Downloads" (or something similar) then paged through a bunch of free downloads until I saw the SI entry. After clicking on the SI entry, the next page should show the summary information, followed by the required PIN entry for an Amazon download.

[jjberger2134]

Originally Posted by ciper

Have you ever walked past a Victoria's Secret store?

The window ads for Victoria's Secret are infinitely more revealing, and "degrading" to women (as the OP puts it) than this one line ad.

I would imagine that the OP does not take his family out much since the entire world is full of offensive material.

[latrobe7]

Originally Posted by Atomike

I understand the ideas expressed here - that the actual product is not apparent, but rather merely the words. Ok - what if it was an ad for Playboy? For something even worse? What if it was for Pedophile porn?
It's just words, right?

I would not have a problem with a text ad for Playboy.

Your "pedophile porn" example betrays how extreme, to the point of absurdity, your feelings are on this. Not only is "pedophile porn" illegal - I would have a problem with an advertisement for shows about illegal products like "Where to Buy Meth in Your Neighborhood" or "How to Cheat on Your Taxes" - but the words "pedophile" and "porn" each carry a heavy connotation. Which word in in "SI Swimsuit Video" do you feel carries the same impact?

The fact is that words advertising an offensive product are offensive.
I believe Tivo has gone too far. If Tivo hasn't offended you yet, they might someday. And you'll only be able to blame yourself - Unless you tell them to stop now.

It's a risk I'm willing to take.

I don't get ESPN - I only get a handful of channels. I keep the TV pretty clean. Which is why this whole mess is so very disappointing.

I don't mind if people make fun of me over this - I've never minded being mocked for standing up.

Your expectations are unrealistic. I hope you take disappointment as well as you handle mockery.

[mrmike]

Originally Posted by Stu_Bee

But seriously....how did people find the download? The link took me nowhere.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013UF95M

[MikeMar]

hmmm

now PLAYING list

playing... like a game
a game of chance?

our TiVo is trying to get us to GAMBLE!

watch out folks!

[bostlaw]

You are certainly entitled to register offense over anything you find to be offensive. Unfortunately (for you or for society), your standards vary significantly from mainstream societal norms. Nothing wrong with that. I suggest that you register your dismay with TiVo, and then make a decision as to whether you continue to suffer the offense or sell your unit (as I'm fairly certain that advertising standards will not likely change to accommodate your concern). There are certainly more salacious items on broadcast TV these days than a simple text advertisement for SI. As for your hypothetical regarding pedophile porn, well, I think even you know better than to suggest that there is anything remotely analogous in the hypothetical. Indeed, words are meaningful. Words can be powerful. A simple text ad for SI Swimsuit program is not going to be deemed to be offensive by the majority of society. Exercise your prerogative to discontinue use if you are unsatisfied with applicable standards.

[djwilso]

Originally Posted by Atomike

I understand the ideas expressed here - that the actual product is not apparent, but rather merely the words. Ok - what if it was an ad for Playboy? For something even worse? What if it was for Pedophile porn?
...
I don't mind if people make fun of me over this - I've never minded being mocked for standing up.

Making the comparison between girls wearing swimsuits and pedophilia is downright offensive to me.

You may believe that you are protecting your children by shielding them from knowledge about sex, but you are in fact doing them a huge disservice.

You strike me as someone who is on a mailing list of people who get notified to complain to the FCC whenever something that people such as yourself deem to be offensive is broadcast on TV or radio. You know, the Janet Jackson nipple crowd.

And yes, I have two children, and they are just fine in the morals department. If they happen to see something that people such as yourself qualify as objectionable and ask me about it, I tell them the truth. My kids will never have an unplanned pregnancy due to lack of knowledge of sex or lack information about the proper use of contraception and its availability.

You may feel that what you are doing is standing up, but in my opinion what you're doing is demonstrating your extreme lack of ability to handle any adult situation around your kids. Your children will be developmentally challenged because you are such a prude and are so closed-minded. Children living in environments where real life is never seen tend to generally behave badly and rebel in their teen years just so they can fit in.

Sex is not dirty, and it is not offensive. The naked human body is not offensive. And pretty girls that are all at least 18 years of age in swimsuits are beautiful.

[magnus]

If you really find the TEXT objectionable.... then you really should turn on KidZone because you are WAY over-protective.

Originally Posted by Atomike

I don't mind if people make fun of me over this - I've never minded being mocked for standing up.

[MikeMar]

This seems rather simple.

Kid to Dad - Dad what does that mean (SI Swimsuit Show)
Dad to Kid - It's a show of models showing swimsuits for people to buy.

Seems simple enough, it's not like you are explaining porn or something

[MickeS]

Originally Posted by latrobe7

Whatever you do - don't go to the beach!

No kidding. Or the the checkout at the grocery store.

Originally Posted by Stu_Bee

I was upset as well. I followed the link on my Tivo the other day and it just took me to the Find Programs base directory. No hot chicks anywhere. What did I do wrong?

That was really annoying (seriously). It should have gone directly to the download, as it's done with these promotions before. Must be a bug.

[ZeoTiVo]

finally an ad thread that made me giggle like a little boy "reading" a bra catalog. Say hi to your neighbors the Simpsons for me


oh, and I was upset..........


upset it was not the Victoria's Secret extended ad I have been waiting for!

PS - whay are these degraded women flying off tp many fabulaous spots and getting paid very well. Sure it is the devil's world and money is the root of all evil and venial sin is widespread.... but strong morals should withstand such strong temptations. I did not get a TiVo to protect myself and family from the world

[Luke M]

Tivo is a spam box.

I expect to see a "Make Money Fast" ad any day now.

[SullyND]

Didn't someone get upset by this last year, or am I thinking of the person who was upset because of the military recruiting ad?

[nrc]

I'm offended at your notion that depiction of the female form is offensive and I'm offended that TiVo Community Forum would carry expose me to something as offensive as your post.

Originally Posted by Atomike

The fact is that words advertising an offensive product are offensive.
I believe Tivo has gone too far. If Tivo hasn't offended you yet, they might someday.

Yeah. I wish them luck with that.

You can have whatever values you please, but the fact is that what you're expressing is too far outside of the mainstream to expect any business to cater to it. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is part of mainstream media. Retailers will prominantly display the issue, TV programs will have models on to promote it, news and magazine programs will do stories on it. If you're expecting to avoid the offense of simply being exposed to its existance then you should stay in your home and unplug your TiVo and our TV.

[NealS]

I hope the OP never walks thru a TARGET or WALMART store. They might glance over at the SI SWIMSUIT cover and have a heart attack.

This whole thread is pretty funny.

Offended by the word swimsuit on the TiVo menu. OMG !!!

[daperlman]

I am so mad I could spit. For gosh sakes they aren't even swimming