Comments on: Has The TiVo Interface Become Inundated With Advertisements? http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/ An Unofficial Blog dedicated to TiVo News, Information & Commentary. One of CNET News.com's Top 100 Blogs. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:12:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Abs http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-142205 Abs Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:37:18 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-142205 I *am* irritated by the proliferation of ads throughout the interface. They are now at every level of TiVo central and Now Playing. And they're more garish these days to make them stand out from the normal menu items. In general, I think they're hateful, considering the premium I pay for the TiVo hardware and software. I *am* irritated by the proliferation of ads throughout the interface. They are now at every level of TiVo central and Now Playing. And they’re more garish these days to make them stand out from the normal menu items. In general, I think they’re hateful, considering the premium I pay for the TiVo hardware and software.

]]> By: Steve http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-140198 Steve Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:14:37 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-140198 Yes, They have gone way too far...They need to have a stop ads completely/opt-out feature. There are many other alternatives like Windows Media Center...and even some providers that will give you free program guides. If they are going to show this many ads then it needs to be free. If I have to pay one damn cent then they are robing me. If they would pay me what i paid for the Tivo boxes I'd ship them back today. Yes, They have gone way too far…They need to have a stop ads completely/opt-out feature. There are many other alternatives like Windows Media Center…and even some providers that will give you free program guides. If they are going to show this many ads then it needs to be free. If I have to pay one damn cent then they are robing me. If they would pay me what i paid for the Tivo boxes I’d ship them back today.

]]> By: warrenpeace™ http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48705 warrenpeace™ Mon, 08 Jan 2007 16:23:34 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48705 Sometimes I miss out of TiVo features and content, since I'm a Canadian customer, but this is one thing I don't miss. It appears in a new machine when I first register it, but after a couple days/reboots, it disappears. But, even if there were lots of ads in the menus, I don't care so long as TiVo is financially healthy and it insures that they stick around. Sometimes I miss out of TiVo features and content, since I’m a Canadian customer, but this is one thing I don’t miss. It appears in a new machine when I first register it, but after a couple days/reboots, it disappears.

But, even if there were lots of ads in the menus, I don’t care so long as TiVo is financially healthy and it insures that they stick around.

]]> By: Jose Alvear http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48616 Jose Alvear Mon, 08 Jan 2007 01:23:39 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48616 The answer is yes, the Tivo interface is very ad-heavy. But I can ignore it most of the time. Sometimes I even watch some of the featured content on the Tivo main menu. And I've signed up for some of the Showcase stuff. This weekend I saw a Showcase show on Sony HD flat screen TVs that had a few correspondents from The Daily Show acting as infomercial guides. Samantha Bee was the main shill talking up the Sony Bravia line. Anyway, the content was crappy and boring, but the point is I seek out advertising sometimes. The answer is yes, the Tivo interface is very ad-heavy. But I can ignore it most of the time. Sometimes I even watch some of the featured content on the Tivo main menu. And I’ve signed up for some of the Showcase stuff.

This weekend I saw a Showcase show on Sony HD flat screen TVs that had a few correspondents from The Daily Show acting as infomercial guides. Samantha Bee was the main shill talking up the Sony Bravia line.

Anyway, the content was crappy and boring, but the point is I seek out advertising sometimes.

]]> By: CheezWiz http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48458 CheezWiz Sun, 07 Jan 2007 05:28:24 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48458 I have no issue with the ads so long as I can watch them as an option, which I do occasionally. I found the Fruit of the Loom video quite entertaining... Anything that helps keep Tivo's head above water and is not intrusive is fine with me. I just wish they would bring back Tivolution Magazine showcase.. I have no issue with the ads so long as I can watch them as an option, which I do occasionally. I found the Fruit of the Loom video quite entertaining…

Anything that helps keep Tivo’s head above water and is not intrusive is fine with me. I just wish they would bring back Tivolution Magazine showcase..

]]> By: MegaZone http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48291 MegaZone Sat, 06 Jan 2007 00:40:42 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48291 I don't mind the ads the way they are - there are the gold star promos, which basically link to the advertising Showcases, the ThumbsUp ad links that can pop up over commercials, the 'billboard' ads that can pop up during FF over an ad, and the ads on the delete screen. I think they're all unobtrusive and I don't mind them. It is just another part of TiVo's revenue plan, and still a fairly small part revenue-wise. I don't think they'll ever make enough off ads to offer the service for free. That was one of the .com pip-dream business plans for many companies. But they may make enough in time to be profitable without raising subscription fees over time. I don’t mind the ads the way they are - there are the gold star promos, which basically link to the advertising Showcases, the ThumbsUp ad links that can pop up over commercials, the ‘billboard’ ads that can pop up during FF over an ad, and the ads on the delete screen. I think they’re all unobtrusive and I don’t mind them.

It is just another part of TiVo’s revenue plan, and still a fairly small part revenue-wise. I don’t think they’ll ever make enough off ads to offer the service for free. That was one of the .com pip-dream business plans for many companies. But they may make enough in time to be profitable without raising subscription fees over time.

]]> By: Trevor V http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48279 Trevor V Fri, 05 Jan 2007 23:45:14 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48279 I get absolutely NO adds here. I don't know if it's because I'm in canada or what, but no ads when I delete a program. Heck, I can't even find the showcase anymore so I can delete my subscription to rocketboom that I never watch anymore but always downloads. I get absolutely NO adds here. I don’t know if it’s because I’m in canada or what, but no ads when I delete a program. Heck, I can’t even find the showcase anymore so I can delete my subscription to rocketboom that I never watch anymore but always downloads.

]]> By: Steven http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48272 Steven Fri, 05 Jan 2007 21:53:40 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48272 Do you subscribe to any magazines, Alex? If so, does it annoy you that the magazines are full of ads, even though you are a paid subscriber? I suspect that if TiVo offered an ad-free paid version and an ad-supported free version, the paid version would be prohibitively expensive and the free version would be so plastered with advertising that it would be nigh-unusable. I'm pretty happy with the way things are now. The bulk of the time I spend using my TiVo is spent actually watching recorded programming anyway. I just want them to fix the way suggestions get recorded and deleted. I know the TiVo is recording a variety of programming, but it ends up keeping every episode of America's Funniest Home Videos and deleting everything else. The ads don't bother me, but the suggestion folder full of hours and hours of AFV bothers me. Do you subscribe to any magazines, Alex? If so, does it annoy you that the magazines are full of ads, even though you are a paid subscriber?

I suspect that if TiVo offered an ad-free paid version and an ad-supported free version, the paid version would be prohibitively expensive and the free version would be so plastered with advertising that it would be nigh-unusable.

I’m pretty happy with the way things are now. The bulk of the time I spend using my TiVo is spent actually watching recorded programming anyway. I just want them to fix the way suggestions get recorded and deleted. I know the TiVo is recording a variety of programming, but it ends up keeping every episode of America’s Funniest Home Videos and deleting everything else. The ads don’t bother me, but the suggestion folder full of hours and hours of AFV bothers me.

]]> By: Jen http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48247 Jen Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:12:21 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48247 I find the ads when you're done watching a program (in the "delete or keep" dialog) annoying. No, they don't change how I have to interact with that screen. But they do take up nearly twice as much visual landscape as normal. And I just finished watching a program - I don't want to have someone else thrusting information in my face until I'm ready to *choose* to watch another show. I find the ads when you’re done watching a program (in the “delete or keep” dialog) annoying. No, they don’t change how I have to interact with that screen. But they do take up nearly twice as much visual landscape as normal. And I just finished watching a program - I don’t want to have someone else thrusting information in my face until I’m ready to *choose* to watch another show.

]]> By: Dave Zatz http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48245 Dave Zatz Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:00:52 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48245 I'd prefer no ads, but after living with the Xbox 360 for awhile (and the large graphical ads) I think TiVo is doing fine balancing ad revenue without alienating customers. I’d prefer no ads, but after living with the Xbox 360 for awhile (and the large graphical ads) I think TiVo is doing fine balancing ad revenue without alienating customers.

]]> By: Doug http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48232 Doug Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:46:41 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48232 It certainly would be great if the choice was ads OR subscription. Unfortunately the model seems to be both these days. I have XM radio in our two cars yet most channels have commercials. And most basic cable channels get $$ per subscriber. For example, too many non-sports fans are paying for ESPN so the NFL can pay people like Peyton Manning gobs of money. If the NFL's revenue truly was from only the people interested in the product, then salaries would really reflect what they are "worth". Forcing non-fans to help pay isn't fair. It certainly would be great if the choice was ads OR subscription. Unfortunately the model seems to be both these days. I have XM radio in our two cars yet most channels have commercials. And most basic cable channels get $$ per subscriber.

For example, too many non-sports fans are paying for ESPN so the NFL can pay people like Peyton Manning gobs of money. If the NFL’s revenue truly was from only the people interested in the product, then salaries would really reflect what they are “worth”. Forcing non-fans to help pay isn’t fair.

]]> By: Robert Aitchison http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48231 Robert Aitchison Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:19:08 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48231 I don't find the ads obtrusive. Interesting, I've only seen the ads on delete come up once since it was rolled out. I don’t find the ads obtrusive.

Interesting, I’ve only seen the ads on delete come up once since it was rolled out.

]]> By: Alex http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48224 Alex Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:58:33 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48224 MHAithaca, It is nice that TiVo has made it so that the ads aren't constantly in your face however; aren't you a little irritated that you are already paying $12.95/month and you have to deal with ads? It would almost be nice if they had a free version that had ads and a pay for version which didn't. Don't you think that we are only going to see more ads as time goes on? MHAithaca,
It is nice that TiVo has made it so that the ads aren’t constantly in your face however; aren’t you a little irritated that you are already paying $12.95/month and you have to deal with ads? It would almost be nice if they had a free version that had ads and a pay for version which didn’t. Don’t you think that we are only going to see more ads as time goes on?

]]> By: MHAithaca http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48216 MHAithaca Fri, 05 Jan 2007 12:16:01 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48216 As long as the ads are in the Showcase where I don't have to go if I don't want to, and in banners I can ignore if I wish, I don't mind advertising. The new banners on the delete-the-program screen are perfect... my interaction with that screen doesn't have to change at all! I can still click up and hit delete. Though, I've been tempted to check out the ad several times. As long as the ads are in the Showcase where I don’t have to go if I don’t want to, and in banners I can ignore if I wish, I don’t mind advertising. The new banners on the delete-the-program screen are perfect… my interaction with that screen doesn’t have to change at all! I can still click up and hit delete. Though, I’ve been tempted to check out the ad several times.

]]> By: Alex http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48188 Alex Fri, 05 Jan 2007 05:16:41 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48188 <blockquote>The “ads after a recording has been played” are the “ads when you delete a program.” You mention them twice when they are, in fact, a single instance of advertising.</blockquote> You're right...I think I need to go to bed :).

The “ads after a recording has been played” are the “ads when you delete a program.” You mention them twice when they are, in fact, a single instance of advertising.

You’re right…I think I need to go to bed :).

]]> By: Steven http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48186 Steven Fri, 05 Jan 2007 05:14:19 +0000 http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/01/04/has-the-tivo-interface-become-inundated-with-advertisements/#comment-48186 The "ads after a recording has been played" are the "ads when you delete a program." You mention them twice when they are, in fact, a single instance of advertising. The “ads after a recording has been played” are the “ads when you delete a program.” You mention them twice when they are, in fact, a single instance of advertising.

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