New User - What's with all the ads?

[itsdavetime]

Just got my Tivo and am noticing ads everywhere. For example, when I pause a show, I get an ad with a gold star or something.

What's the deal? I paid > $100 for my unit, and $20/month for service. When I called Tivo, they said they were ad supported. How can that be? If they want to show ads, then they should lower the subscription cost or do away with it entirely.

Any way I get unsubscribe from these ads?

[jrtroo]

The benefits they receive from the ads are already baked into the costs. They are not new, and so without them the price would logically go up. Over time you will end up ignoring them. Try search for some techniques some use to reduce their frequency.

[caddyroger]

If it was no ads your sub could higher then $30.00 a month. The ads are helping to the sub costs down.

[justen_m]

Seriously, I don't even notice the ads. Who cares what is on the screen when you hit pause? Unless you select the ad, you can just ignore it. Sort of like the one that's on the bottom of one of the main screens. Just ignore it. It doesn't force you to view anything (unlike some of the PITA stuff on Blu-ray discs that you can't skip or fast forward through).

[itsdavetime]

Not a big deal to ignore them, just annoying is all. I look at it this way, for software, if you go with a free version, then it's normally ad supported. If you decide to pay for the software, the ads go away.

I'm sure Tivo makes plenty of money on the ads, our subscriptions, the hardware sales, and I'm sure they also make money on the statistics that they sell to Nielsen, etc.

[lpwcomp]

Ever look at a magazine or a newspaper? They have tons of ads but you still pay for them. Well, somebody has to pay for them.

Some cable channels get revenue from both the cable operators and ads. The most annoying one to me is AMC, which used to be ad free.

It is much easier to ignore the TiVo provided ads. And the TiVo makes it easier to get past the TV ads.

[jrtroo]

I pay for lots of things and still see ads. Shall I count the ways?

If you have a premiere, you can have some influence on what shows up on the banner bar on the NPL. Just try searching - this topic has been beaten down many many times.

An interesting tidbit I have not seen before is the $30/month figure, that is real money avoided.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by lpwcomp

Ever look at a magazine or a newspaper? They have tons of ads but you still pay for them. Well, somebody has to pay for them.

That depends on what you mean. Ads are a way for a company to force the consumer to pay whatever the company wants without giving the consumer the power to avoid those costs by not buying the product. You pay for those ads, even if you don't have a TiVo. Depending on your spending habits, you also pay $500 - $2000 a month or more for the right to watch Survivor. Great deal, huh?

Originally Posted by lpwcomp

It is much easier to ignore the TiVo provided ads. And the TiVo makes it easier to get past the TV ads.

I would much rather pay higher subscription fees. First of all, the higher sub fees would probably be less than the ad fees I am paying, when averaged out over all such subscriptions. Secondly, it's more ethical. Thirdly, and most importantly, if I don't like the product, the manufacturer gets zilch. Such feedback is the cornerstone to a free market. Advertising forces the consumer to continue to pay for the product, no matter how crappy it is.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by itsdavetime

Any way I get unsubscribe from these ads?

Any way I can unsubscribe from the ads on network television? There should be.

[cl8855]

just push down arrow on pause to hide those ads, others I dont even notice...

[lpwcomp]

Originally Posted by lrhorer

Any way I can unsubscribe from the ads on network television? There should be.

Yeah. Don't watch.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by caddyroger

If it was no ads your sub could higher then $30.00 a month. The ads are helping to the sub costs down.

Yes, but the costs to me as a consumer would go down $50 or more. I'll take the $30, any day. (Actually, it's considerably less than $30. TiVo could sell their units at a profit for about $600.)

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by lpwcomp

Yeah. Don't watch.

Nope. I still have to pay for them. 'More than 10 times what I pay for CATV service. (And I don't watch network television.) I care a lot less about seeing them than I do paying for them.

[itsdavetime]

Originally Posted by lrhorer

Any way I can unsubscribe from the ads on network television? There should be.

That's different. You are all comparing apples to oranges. The ads on network television can be skipped. Also, you're getting those ads because network television is "free". When I watch HBO or another premium channel which I pay for, there are no ads, because I've paid to watch that channel. Magazines, newspapers, etc. all have tons of ads lately because print circulation is down and continues to decline. Magazines/newspapers can no longer continue in business solely by subscriptions, so they have increased the number of ads in order to have continued revenue.

Tivo, on the other hand, is a service which I decide to pay for. Not only is there a monthly subscription but also a hardware purchase. So, for the first year a premier will cost $99 and $240 in service. For ~$340 in a year, you're telling me you're happy receiving ads?

And what exactly does the $19.99/month give you? The ability to watch and record TV and guide listing. Everything else is on top of the $19.99. Netflix, Hulu, etc. has to be subscribed in addition.

Personally, I think the $19.99 is a bit steep, but that's my opinion.

[keirgrey]

Um, don't you pay for things like TBS and TNT, etc? They have ads. So, it's not really "apples and oranges"

[itsdavetime]

Originally Posted by keirgrey

Um, don't you pay for things like TBS and TNT, etc? They have ads. So, it's not really "apples and oranges"

Well, if you want to get technical, yes, I pay for all of my channels since I have to pay for my cable service. But, we all are with the understanding that when you pay for a premium channel, there are no commercials. That's where I was going with that.

[aaronwt]

Originally Posted by itsdavetime

Well, if you want to get technical, yes, I pay for all of my channels since I have to pay for my cable service. But, we all are with the understanding that when you pay for a premium channel, there are no commercials. That's where I was going with that.

there are always a bunch of commercials advertsing other programs on the channel. HBO, Starz, showtime, they all have them instead of running the next movie/program right after the previous one.

[minimeh]

@itsdavetime, I see your point and agree. I also accept the argument that without the ads, the service would have to be more expensive.

So what I'd like to see is TiVo offer a "premium" service that is ad-free. And I wonder just how much would I really be willing to pay for that above the ad-supported service?

I'm guessing not all that much, which may be what TiVo marketing came up with and explains why there isn't a an ad-free service.

On the other hand, they do know that high up front cost is a barrier to entry for many. So to limit that, they are almost giving away the hardware, selling service agreements on an open-ended installment plan (making a large up-front "lifetime" service agreement seem attractive in comparison), and enhancing income with ads.

It would be interesting to know what the actual price differential would be.

[minimeh]

Originally Posted by aaronwt

there are always a bunch of commercials advertsing other programs on the channel. HBO, Starz, showtime, they all have them instead of running the next movie/program right after the previous one.

I make a distinction between HBO giving me a taste of what is available on HBO and yet another idiot man-child too dumb to live trying to make me think I should drink his beer of choice so the Swedish bikini team will find me irresistible.

Not all advertising is created equal.

[mattack]

Originally Posted by lrhorer

Any way I can unsubscribe from the ads on network television? There should be.

It's not quite unsubscribing, but that's what the 30 second skip button is for.

[dwit]

Remember, there is a 30 day guarantee.

If you don't like it, cancel.

[aadam101]

I completely forgot about the ads. I really don't see them. I haven't for a long time. They are there. My mind just blocks them out. I did notice the one for Bounty Paper Towels though. I remember when Tivo was considered a high end device and the ads were for high end cars.....now they are paper towel ads.....oh how the mighty have fallen.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by itsdavetime

That's different. You are all comparing apples to oranges. The ads on network television can be skipped.

Yes, they can. They can be most easily skipped by not watching network television. I don't watch network television. Because of this, I should not have to pay for network television.

Originally Posted by itsdavetime

Also, you're getting those ads because network television is "free".

I'm not getting them at all. I don't watch network TV, remember? I still have to pay for them, though.

Originally Posted by itsdavetime

When I watch HBO or another premium channel which I pay for, there are no ads, because I've paid to watch that channel.

That's right, and paid a fairly reasonable amount. If you don't like the service, cancel it and you won't have to pay for it. I've also "canceled" my subscription to network TV, yet they are still charging me MORE THAN 200X what I pay for the HBO channels.

Originally Posted by itsdavetime

Magazines, newspapers, etc. all have tons of ads lately because print circulation is down and continues to decline. Magazines/newspapers can no longer continue in business solely by subscriptions, so they have increased the number of ads in order to have continued revenue.

In other words, they force people to pay for a service they don't want. If a magazine (or whatever) cannot make enough money from the people who want to enjoy what it offers, then it should not be in business, period. Being in business is not a right, nor even a privilege. It is a public service extended to those who wish to pay for it. It is completely unethical to charge those who do not wish to make use of that service for its continued availability. It is also horribly damaging to the economy, especially since it removes the critical negative feedback loop from the equation. Removing all negative feedback from any system almost always results in large scale instability. It would be a great overstatement to say that the instability of our economy is entirely due to this single factor, but it is a major contributor.

Originally Posted by itsdavetime

Tivo, on the other hand, is a service which I decide to pay for. Not only is there a monthly subscription but also a hardware purchase. So, for the first year a premier will cost $99 and $240 in service. For ~$340 in a year, you're telling me you're happy receiving ads?

Did you bother to read what I wrote? I specifically, categorically, emphatically, and repeatedly said I would far rather pay higher subscription fees. Where the heck do you get the notion I am happy receiving ads?

Actually, I would prefer not to pay subscription fees, either. I prefer to purchase flat out (a lifetime subscription), which I did. I don't object to the subscription model, however. I just prefer lifetime. I don't mind both of them being higher (within reason, of course) if it means I don't have to pay for the commercials. It is just stupid to believe having them (or any one else) channel part of the cost of ownership through advertising results in lower cash outlay to the consumer.

Originally Posted by itsdavetime

And what exactly does the $19.99/month give you? The ability to watch and record TV and guide listing. Everything else is on top of the $19.99. Netflix, Hulu, etc. has to be subscribed in addition.

Personally, I think the $19.99 is a bit steep, but that's my opinion.

And still TiVo is not making money, so obviously it is not high enough. (Actually, it probably is, but that is a much more complex argument.)

The point is, if you don't like the TiVo service, discontinue it, and you won't be paying for it any more. If enough people do this, then TiVo will, or at least should, get the point that their service is not worth what they are charging. If enough people cancel their subscriptions to HBO, then they will get the same message, or should. If enough people quit buying GM products, then they will get the same message (well, they should have). When people quit watching network TV, the networks just force them to pay more for not watching by increasing the costs of their commercials.

[ctcraig]

I'm with some of the posts, I don't even notice the ads, they're white noise.

[mchief]

What ads?

[TerpBE]

Originally Posted by itsdavetime

Just got my Tivo and am noticing ads everywhere. For example, when I pause a show, I get an ad with a gold star or something.

What's the deal? I paid > $100 for my unit, and $20/month for service. When I called Tivo, they said they were ad supported. How can that be? If they want to show ads, then they should lower the subscription cost or do away with it entirely.

Any way I get unsubscribe from these ads?

Do this:

- Play a recorded show
- Hit pause (make sure one of the "ads" is showing)
- Press the down arrow to make it go away
- Press "Select - Play - Select - Pause - Select"
- You should hear a "ding ding ding" (I think)

Now when you hit pause, the progress bar and "ads" will disappear in about half a second.

[Am_I_Evil]

Originally Posted by aaronwt

there are always a bunch of commercials advertsing other programs on the channel. HBO, Starz, showtime, they all have them instead of running the next movie/program right after the previous one.

those are called promos...they are not commercials....

[lpwcomp]

Originally Posted by lrhorer

Yes, they can. They can be most easily skipped by not watching network television. I don't watch network television. Because of this, I should not have to pay for network television.


I'm not getting them at all. I don't watch network TV, remember? I still have to pay for them, though.

You seem to be under the misapprehension that companies would charge you less if they weren't buying advertising on TV. Companies generally budget a certain amount for advertising. It is going to go somewhere. No one is forcing you to buy their products. Are armed thugs coming to your house?

Nearly every non-premium cable channel has advertising, it is not just the networks.

Originally Posted by lrhorer

The point is, if you don't like the TiVo service, discontinue it, and you won't be paying for it any more. If enough people do this, then TiVo will, or at least should, get the point that their service is not worth what they are charging. If enough people cancel their subscriptions to HBO, then they will get the same message, or should. If enough people quit buying GM products, then they will get the same message (well, they should have). When people quit watching network TV, the networks just force them to pay more for not watching by increasing the costs of their commercials.

Yeah, that works. Every company is willing to pay more to reach fewer viewers. Oh wait, I guess the networks send out their own armed thugs.

Gad, your view of economics and business is one of the most warped I have ever encountered.