To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about this new “feature”. On one hand I understand why TiVo is doing this (ads help pay the bills on this site) however, I feel as though the TiVo interface is starting to look a little “cluttered” with ads. Maybe what TiVo really needs is a new user interface complete with sections where they can place ads that are not as obtrusive.
What’s your take on this announcement?
TiVo Expands Ad Solutions Portfolio, Enables Advertisers to Reach Viewers When Programming Is Paused
ALVISO, Calif., Dec 09, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ –
- Mercedes-Benz and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment are First Advertisers to Begin Using New ‘Pause Menu’ Feature -
ALVISO, Calif., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services and advertising solutions for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced the launch of Pause Menu, the latest addition to its suite of interactive ad solutions designed to grab the attention of fast-forwarding viewers who consume TV differently and often do not watch ads the way they are traditionally delivered.
Using the TiVo Pause Menu, advertisers can, for the first time, reach audiences with targeted product messages displayed within the pause screen of a Live or Timeshifted program. The new feature can be particularly impactful for traditional TV and non-television advertisers that have product integration or a significant media investment in a specific TV show. Alternatively, they can opt to cast a wider net by targeting entire genres or keywords within a program description.
The feature provides an original solution for advertisers seeking to capture the fast-forwarding viewer. It’s another example of how TiVo offers unique and different solutions for advertisers looking to get viewers to watch advertisements who avoid traditional spots.
The new Pause Menu also provides broadband connected TiVo subscribers with a direct link to TiVo’s Swivel Search feature, allowing subscribers to easily find program information, related shows and downloads when they click on the “pause” button on the TiVo remote.
Esteemed brands already have plans to launch Pause Menu campaigns. Mercedes-Benz USA, one of the first to sign on, plans to use the feature to help promote its new GLK SUV early next year by targeting football viewers. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is taking advantage of Pause Menu for their Dr Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who DVD and Blu-ray release on December 9.
David Sandford, Vice President Marketing and Product Management for TiVo Inc. said, “With the number of DVR homes on the rise, TV advertisers are facing a very serious commercial avoidance issue that must be addressed now. The launch of Pause Menu moves us another step closer to achieving our goal of providing a comprehensive suite of interactive advertising solutions designed to help the TV industry reach viewers in a DVR world.”
Sandford continued, “It’s important to note that our interactive ad solutions have been so well received because they are non-intrusive and actually enhance the viewing experience. For example, our research tells us that linking the Pause Menu to our popular Swivel Search feature gets very positive viewer reaction. This creates value for viewers and effectiveness for advertisers — a win, win situation.”
Promotions on the Pause Menu will be displayed as a single line of text and another line will link the viewer directly to TiVo’s Universal Swivel Search, allowing TiVo users to explore content without missing a second of their favorite show and creating a seamless, integrated experience.
The new feature is available today to all TiVo(R) Series2 subscribers.
I’m disgusted by the ever-increasing amount of advertisement on TiVo. I pay $12.95 a month in order to avoid watching ads on TV. But these days I have to see ads anyway! (Remember when the “showcase” had actual content in it? Now it’s literally nothing but advertisements. Useless.)
If the monthly service charge doesn’t cover their costs, then they aren’t charging enough. They should at least give us the option to pay extra instead of being spammed before, during, and after each recording.
I noticed these showing up on my Tivo a few days ago. They really aren’t that bothersome. I’d trade these for the ads on the home screen any day. But honestly, even there they aren’t that bad. I agree though that they should offer an ad supported cheaper (or better, free) or premium ad-free version of the service.
I haven’t had a chance to play with it yet, but can you at least make the ads/swivel search pop-up disappear while paused? Sometimes people pause footage to actually look at the footage – if it’s all covered up with non-hideable ads and pop-ups, it defeats the purpose.
Otherwise, I don’t care if they do it.
[...] Dave Zatz and a couple of this site’s twitter followers have pointed out the fact that TiVo has begun to rollout a new software release (11.0c) for TiVo HD and Series 3 customers. Included in this release is a new “feature” which displays advertisements along with a Swivel Search menu item whenever you hit the pause button. Both of these “features” have been available on Series 2 DVRs for quite a while now. [...]