Already sexy, TiVo brings fast forward ads back

There's nothing that DVR owners like more than a good commercial, so TiVo subscribers will be overjoyed to learn that the company has once again begun overlaying advertisements to entertain viewers during those interminable seconds it takes to fast forward from one TV segment to another. Wait a minute, that's not right. There's nothing that DVR owners hate more than commercials, which is one of the reasons that they pay a monthly fee for the privilege of zipping through Madison Avenue's wares. Well despite the fact that reactions were pretty negative the first time TiVo decided to drop banner ads on top of the fast forward screen, apparently the still shots (and their resulting revenue) were popular enough among company execs to warrant a second go-round. Unlike the initial implementation, however, these new ads supposedly mirror the commercials being skipped; so if you're zooming past a BMW ad, for instance, you'll likely see pics of a German luxury car superimposed on the content being ignored. Also back on the scene are the little green on-screen "thumbs up" icons that allow you to use your remote to access -- you guessed it -- even more commercials. With all the menu screen, post-roll, and now fast forward pitches that TiVo owners have to deal with, we're wondering if the company should take a page from Web 2.0 and drop the subscription fee altogether in favor of a strictly ad-based model. Either way, when the firestorm of Engadget ads begins hitting the airwaves, we promise not to subject our dear readers to this kind of treatment -- but only because our 1337 commercials will be disabling your remotes.

[Via PVR Wire]

[Chris Merchant @ Jan 15th 2007 8:50PM]

I, for one, think our commercialized impression overlords can burn in hell.

Oh... wait. That's not how that goes...

[John P. @ Jan 15th 2007 8:53PM]

Blipverts! (and if you think they are not relevant, think again...).

[0f29 @ Jan 15th 2007 8:59PM]

Advertising income alone cannot sustain a company.

[Dave @ Jan 15th 2007 9:17PM]

Tell that to Google.

[calqlater @ Jan 16th 2007 8:38AM]

"Advertising income alone cannot sustain a company."

Err... advertising income alone seems to be sustaining Google just fine.

[Victor @ Jan 15th 2007 9:09PM]

I originally hated the interface of my HD-DVR when I dumped my TIVO. But, only 5/month and no equipment charges...and now THIS...and I suddenly am forgetting about my TIVO. I can't imagine how this company is staying in business now.

[e @ Jan 15th 2007 9:15PM]

Wonder if this applies to TiVo's 30 sec skip function...

[JD @ Jan 15th 2007 9:41PM]

Uggg. First I have stupid logos bouncing all over the screen, then I have banner ads popping up all over the screen (and this is without Tivo), and now I'm going to have full pictures superimposed over the screen?

Is there any reason to even have a TV anymore? I'm ready to drop the whole thing and go with the pay-by-the-episode mode. Does iTunes have ads embedded in their downloads yet?

[Jonathan Keim @ Jan 15th 2007 9:50PM]

Commercials aren't needed for iTune tv shows because you are paying for them

[Nick @ Jan 15th 2007 11:21PM]

@ Johnathan

yeah and you are paying for the Tivo and their service to record shows and not be subjected to commercials...

[James Rainey @ Jan 15th 2007 10:07PM]

I would gladly accept these ad's if DirecTV would bring them back in! TIVO Rules.

[I, Robot @ Jan 15th 2007 10:15PM]

This is just Wrong! So does this also skip over the TV Program that you're watching, while it's covering up the entire screen with ads? How the hell are you supposed to KNOW where to stop/rewind back in order to catch the rest of the show?



What happened to that idea of advertisers making funny little 15 second commercials and placing them inside the TVIO’s side menus? I wasn't trilled about that one either, but at lease it would gave you the option to view them or not?


…But ONLY if they were FUNNY. They can stuff the pretentious BMW commercials -- thanks.

[justdave @ Jan 15th 2007 10:16PM]

Im guessing it's just you poor USizens that are blighted by this, poor sods. I just got myself a shiny new freeview DVR here in the cold, wet, grey (yet oddly amazing) UK. Now I too can fast forward thru adverts, and no longer have the cane ye olde broadband for my TV. Stupid stuff like recording C4 news (never in to watch it but it's really very good) is a depressingly amazing event. I shouldn't be this impressed with a glorified VHS recorder, but stuff like pausing the TV while I piss will always make me smile.

I, for one, welcome our corporate overlords.... they can suck on my fast-forward button.

[justdave @ Jan 15th 2007 10:19PM]

AND mines looks like a beta max video recorder. 80's retro ahoy. Genius.

http://www.pvruk.co.uk/News_Imgs/digihome_pvr80.jpg

[Andrew @ Jan 15th 2007 10:57PM]

Not sure where TiVo read its best to piss off your customers and charge more for it. That might work with the cable provider you use, but not on an accessory service in which the competition be becoming increasingly appetizing every day.

[MikeB @ Jan 15th 2007 10:57PM]

"Advertising income alone cannot sustain a company."

Think again, the magazine industry thrives on it. Its the reason you can find most any magazine subscription for pretty much free nowadays. Heck, look at the FreeIpod giveaways. Those were legit and it was strictly funded by advertising.

[Twist @ Jan 15th 2007 11:01PM]

I would think that there would be some kind of way to filter these ads using the content filters on most routers, Just have to figure out where they are being served from and if it is possible to block them without blocking the program guide and other things.

[matto @ Jan 15th 2007 11:24PM]

Boy, and I was almost beginning to seriously consider shelling out the six bazillion sheckles they want for a Series 3. They can rot in hell.

[r @ Jan 16th 2007 12:33AM]

I think this is a good idea. Anything to let TiVo get extra revenue to help it survive is good by me. I dont know about you guys, but I got TiVo to watch tv shows on my schedule and to waste less time watching those tv shows. I did NOT get TiVo out of some moral compulsion to avoid commercials. As long as these popup ads dont lessen the speed of the fast forward, or make shows longer to watch... i dont care. And I dont really get why any of you guys care. You can either pay more for TiVo, or you can find unobtrusive ways to subsidize the service. I vote for the option that is cheaper for me.

[Matt E @ Jan 16th 2007 5:30PM]

You are Stoned. People get DVR's to schedule recordings and skip commercials. I would like to see you sit there and watch the commercials when it fits into your schedule.

[JD @ Jan 16th 2007 8:29AM]

This rediculous! Charge full price for your STB and go ahead and provide free service if you're going to force us to watch commercials. The _only_ thig that TiVo is supposed to be providing (that didn't come with the TiVo at purchase) is guide data. That costs maybe 10 cents per subscriber (if that, as it's free for individuals). TiVo is _GREEDY_ as heck, that's the only explaination for this BS.

[Jake @ Jan 16th 2007 8:41AM]

Seriously, can you people not read?

1. Its for TIVO. Of course its not for a Freeview DVR!!! Jeezus.

2. It only shows up over a RELEVANT AD, not every time you fast forward. Eg, fast-forward over an ad for Cisco, if Tivo has a contract with Cisco, your Tivo will blip a banner about Cisco offering you more information. It doesn't effect anything other than that ad (ie, not other commercials, not the show you are watching.)

3. Who said this pisses off subscribers? I have an S3, I've seen maybe 3 of these ads, and they don't affect me in the least. You zoom right past it. It takes 4 nanoseconds to realize what it is and that I don't care. So yeah, if you are dumber than dirt, this make torque you off a bit. If you have 2 neurons to rub together, you'll be fine. And if you use 30 second skip, you will never see it.

[justjoe @ Jan 16th 2007 9:12AM]

This is the reason that I LOVE my ReplayTV device.. with its AUTOMATIC Commercial Advance! w00t! Shame they aren't putting out any more devices.
Enjoy MORE commercials!!

p.s. Don't mention to them about the 30 sec skip thing, because they are talking about inserting 5-15 sec ads when you do a 30 sec skip! LOL!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Adam @ Jan 16th 2007 9:34AM]

Actually, I think the still ad is a great idea as long as it does not slow down the fast forwarding process. Many times when I am fast forwarding through the commercials, I still try to see what commercial is on in case I want to watch it. Just MHO

[Collin @ Jan 16th 2007 11:18AM]

Don't use the fast forward button, turn the insta-jump button (the one that jumps to start/end) into a 30-second skip button :)

Select, Play, Select, 3, 0, Select

[mjcarr01 @ Jan 16th 2007 2:15PM]

Thank you 30-sec skip hack.

[Jeff @ May 19th 2007 12:45PM]

I'd love to see a hack where when you hit ff during commericals, the DVR blanks the video output. Then as soon as the thing ends, it wakes it back up..