Ads coming soon to a paused TiVo menu near you

This should make a lot of people unhappy. According to a press release issued today, TiVo will now offer ad space on its pause menu. Designed to outsmart those who fast-forward through the ads (we assume that's almost everyone at this point, right?) buyers will be able to target viewers of a specific show, or they can opt to "cast a wider net" and advertise within genres or keywords of program descriptions. Even if this means we'll be seeing ads for Shrute Farms beets during The Office, we're still going to hold out hope for the TiVo version of Adblock.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

[Jeff @ Dec 9th 2008 6:04PM]

AHAHAHHAH chumps

[brandon @ Dec 9th 2008 6:37PM]

Shouldn't advertised TiVo be free???

[loocas @ Dec 9th 2008 6:54PM]

Yeah, this doesn't make much sense (well, to TiVomaybe) to place ads everywhere on paid-for content!

It's like putting ads to HBO.

[Josh @ Dec 9th 2008 8:55PM]

That was my sentiment initially, but then I remembered cable... I mean, you are clearly paying for Comedy Central, just less than for HBO. Does that mean TiVo should offer a subsidized and non-subsidized subscription? Then maybe we could get a TiVo to get around our TiVo's.

[Josh @ Dec 10th 2008 10:35AM]

damn fake josh...

yeah, i work in advertising and the tivo guys came in to present this about a month ago, i thought it was a terrible idea, people are not going to be happy paying for this crap and then getting ads everywhere - though the way they designed it, it's not that intrusive, still

the more impressive thing to me was that in some areas you can download the tivo software onto your cable providers standard dvr box for like a $2 premium each month or something, so instead of having shitty comcast dvr software, you get tivo for cheap

[Jason Martin @ Dec 10th 2008 2:09PM]

I'm sorry, but what's the big deal? If it's on the PAUSE menu, I can't imagine it getting in the way of how people use Tivo. It's not like they're inserting unavoidable video ads before, during, or after the video you watch, like most free online streaming.

If you don't like it, ignore and move on.

[racingfreak92 @ Dec 9th 2008 6:05PM]

This is already happening on my series 2 tivo, whenever you pause of fastforward a text ad pops up that you can click, similar to the "Press Up to see more" ads tivo occasionally has. Its kinda annoying but whatever helps thees guys keep afloat im cool with

[Platinum_Skeet @ Dec 9th 2008 6:06PM]

Sellouts...

[Peter @ Dec 9th 2008 6:17PM]

I think anyone who has TiVo is a sellout.

[who? @ Dec 9th 2008 9:34PM]

sellout.woot.com?

[Jason Martin @ Dec 10th 2008 2:28PM]

Technically, they were sellouts when they started SELLING Tivo boxes and subscription services. A company has to make money. Charging for products and services is one way to do that, and ads are another way. If people are willing to pay for it (and I have no reason to think this will convince most subscribers to stop paying), there's nothing to say they can't do both.

[Peter @ Dec 9th 2008 6:11PM]

I hate tivo, windows media center does the job perfectly and there isn't a preliminary cost (exl. the PC itself), nor monthly fees, and there aren't any ads to speak of. One thing I would like in WMC is ATSC support outside the US; there's OTA-HD in Canada too!

[SoulkeepHL @ Dec 9th 2008 6:35PM]

As some one who owns both a number of tivos and a number of media center pc's (both xp and vista), the media center's can't hold a candle to TiVo. I'm ok with paying $165 for a TivoHD and $13 a month for service for something that just works. My cost conscious media centers were self-built, and even then they were far more than the tivo box. But because they were self-built, they can't use a cable card, because I didn't buy a machine from a cable labs approved manufacturer, which would have been far more expensive. I'm also not using the TiVo name as catchall for a PVR, as my attitudes only hold true for a TiVo (in fact, I'm paying TiVo money for service on my TiVo HD when I've got a free HD PVR from Comcast, which is that bad).

[r3loaded @ Dec 9th 2008 7:07PM]

@SoulkeepHL

The problem in your case is that the TV studios think that since you're building your own PC-based DVR, you must be a big-time pirate who'll release all their shows for free on torrent sites (that's their logic anyway). Hence, they can't trust you with something as good as HD CableCard on your PC, and you should feel privileged that they even allow you to buy "approved" systems with a CableCard receiver.

[Tony Bowman @ Dec 9th 2008 6:11PM]

where is the problem with this? ads pay for the production cost of TV shows, plain and simple. so the ad shows up when you've got something paused, when ostensibly you're doing something that doesn't involve LOOKING AT THE PAUSE MENU.

cripes!

[-slycooper_rocker- (lorddshadow the amazing) psn: shahanasalam @ Dec 9th 2008 6:22PM]

yeah but when you come back to the couch after making your sandwich and you see OZZY OSBOURNE staring at you, then you will realize why its bad.

[Jeremy W @ Dec 9th 2008 6:45PM]

I highly doubt that the ads Tivo is running on their DVRs are going towards the production costs of any TV programming.

[Logan @ Dec 9th 2008 6:53PM]

The problem? I used to have a TiVo, I don't anymore. The reason is simple, TiVo basically charges 12.95 a month for TV listings. This on it's own has dubious value. To make matters worse, TiVo began advertising all over their user interface a few years ago. As if reselling TV listsings isn't profitable enough - they decide to "leverage" their users and start making more money off us by selling ads. When I aquired the device I was under the impression that one of TiVo's major benefits was escaping advertising.

Thus - paying for the "privilege" of being advertised to really didn't appeal to me - especially for a service that had previously been ad free.

Not to mention that it is nearly impossible to get support on the phone, their gross delay in creating an HD tivo that was reasonably priced, and (this was years ago) deceptive marketing practices about accessory hardware. To elaborate, the TiVo wireless USB adapter was advertised as 802.11g compatible (which it was) however the TiVo itself was unable to achieve transfer rates over 10 Mb/s which is only 1/5 the "g" standard. It also rendered the transfer feature almost useless due to excessive transfer times.

[Plothole @ Dec 9th 2008 6:12PM]

As long as it doesn't prevent me from resuming my shows while the ad is running, this probably won't bug me too much.

[Grey Acumen @ Dec 9th 2008 6:38PM]

this is exactly what I'm talking about. If all it does is have some image ads during the times I'm pausing, and it doesn't slow things down or keep me from resuming watching whatever it is I'm watching, then I'm totally for it. It's like a sponsored screen saver. It's not like it's wasting my time or anything.

Now, I will have issues if they make it so there's audio running and you can't shut it off, or if there's no way you can move the ads out of the way to see what's on the screen while it's still paused. I occasionally pause so I can get a good look at something, and having a full screen ad constantly in the way could get irritating for that.

[Ethan @ Dec 10th 2008 8:25AM]

The problem, Grey, is that once you've given them this inch (a small, static image advertisement), they'll take a foot (video ads with sound that can't be stopped). Pretty soon you've got ads that can't be canceled and have to play for their entire duration like on some obnoxious DVDs. Tivo is a for-pay service, and that typically implies that the customer shouldn't be seeing ads at all.

[Jason Martin @ Dec 10th 2008 2:20PM]

@Ethan

"once you've given them this inch..." I don't see how the consumers could possibly "give" anything to Tivo. They can do whatever they want with their business model. Obviously, they're confident that enough subscribers will not cancel their service because of this, and I suspect their right. If they do "take a mile", so to speak, and start putting up intrusive video ads, like Hulu or other free video services, that might be a breaking point, and Tivo probably know this.

Also, where do you get the idea that paid subscription services should be ad-free? What about newspapers, magazines, and (basic) cable TV? Those are usually subscription services and have always carried ads, for the most part.

[SebS @ Dec 9th 2008 6:18PM]

I think someone is confused. TiVo didn't JUST start putting ad's in for when you fast forward, that was introduced a few sw versions back. What is new now is when you pause it, there is a bar that you can press down to HIDE "extras". The "extras" so far are just an option to learn more about the show you are watching AND soon to be the star ad's that are already showing up on the main menu, at the end of the program (delete/keep screen) and in the showcases.

[SebS @ Dec 9th 2008 6:24PM]

"Designed to outsmart those who fast-forward through the ads"...is throwing me.

[RioRyan @ Dec 9th 2008 6:21PM]

Yay for Windows Media Center and auto-skipping

[Nate @ Dec 9th 2008 6:24PM]

This must mean that tivos are now free since they are ad subsidized.

AAAH! just kidding: If course they're not free.

[StalematE @ Dec 9th 2008 6:25PM]

This is much better than having Family Guy PAUSE right in the friggin middle so that Bill Engvall can plug his crappy show...

[CraigJ @ Dec 9th 2008 6:29PM]

Engadget promoting the use of AdBLock? That seems kinda odd considering the source of their revenue.

[tbone @ Dec 9th 2008 6:42PM]

yeah, if you like the most popular shows then just get them off the EZTV torrents; providing that you have enough bandwidth and a speedy internet connection

[Ian @ Dec 9th 2008 6:52PM]

So does this mean TiVo is going to be free?

[ridesn @ Dec 9th 2008 6:53PM]

hum, mythtv anyone? forget even fast forwarding, just jump to the end of the commercials.

[Lee @ Dec 9th 2008 6:54PM]

That's all fine and all except for the few people using TiVo in Canada. The ads that come up right now are already irrelevant, like ordering Domino's or when it says "use netflix now!" or Amazon unboxed. The pause ads I assume will be no different. I love my TiVo but especially with the exchange rate meaning I'm paying $15 a month now, I can't wait for my contract to expire and I'll be ditching TiVo for a media centre or just stick to Bells PVR which actually handles HD.

[OwlExterminator @ Dec 9th 2008 7:05PM]

'i' Like TV

[David @ Dec 9th 2008 7:06PM]

At least they can't do that to my Personal Video recorders...THANK THE LORD!

[Notmatic @ Dec 9th 2008 7:10PM]

I think people that are contributing these harsh comments towards tivo do not own one or understand the mass market. You all promote items such as MythTV and Media Center PCs. The average American is not a linux guru or Windows power user. They know enough to get by. That is exactly who the tivo is made for goodness sake. It even goes to the length of recording shows that it think you may like. So our lazy asses can watch more TV. Are they the evil empire or a company trying to find another revenue stream to keep people employed during these rough times?

[Neoprimal @ Dec 9th 2008 7:36PM]

I'm going to go with 'budding' evil empire. I have a Tivo, and in the beginning boy was it great. I also give them props because digital cable and satellite providers have stepped up to compete with their service - if not for them, who knows if we'd have DVRs in our cable and satellite boxes today? BUT....they're brushing up on that thin red line between a service that is useful for customers and make a profit, to trying to make a bigger chunk of profit.

Tivo is purely a middleman - they're not out there producing shows. All they do is provide a guide menu and provide a service that takes the 'work' out or recording seasons of shows and recommending shows based on what people like...DirecTV isn't far off from this.
That being said...all their ad revenue is theirs to keep. People are comparing them to WMPCs and MythTV etc because essentially, that's exactly what the Tivo is, except that it's made to take all the 'do it yourself' out of the equation. So why then are they sticking ads everywhere? What's the excuse for that when you're renting your service already for 12.95 AND charging people 300+ for the hardware? The truth is, there is no excuse. And there are people that will be fine with it, but many, many people get Tivo because they're fans...and they used to be all about making the consumers happy. With this sort of, slide into the real 'lets make us some money' game, they need to realize that they're treading lightly. Satellite TV is almost everywhere, and most if not all digital cable companies have a DVR service. Services which are not littered with ads and are for the most part, close to being as potent as the Tivo. I mean, you can't sweat them for wanting to make money - I just think they need to be a little bit less, persistent about how they're trying to do it.

[Sporkinum @ Dec 10th 2008 12:03PM]

That's the funny thing.. I only paid $250 for my Media Center PC that came with a dual tuner card and remote and 400gb of disk. I know you could put one together for not much more than that. I really see the TIVO now as kind of a tax on the lazy.

[zbot @ Dec 9th 2008 7:11PM]

There is no way in hell that I would pay for the Tivo service with ads littering it. Give me a break. When the hardware is the only cost, I'm in.

[henry @ Dec 9th 2008 7:19PM]

The Real reason why TIVo was made and became popular was so you can skip the ads!!. Now what?

[Frankfurter @ Dec 9th 2008 7:21PM]

Ahh, could this be the reason I've been needing to dump my Tivo's? I've loved 'em, been using them for close to 10 years, but the historical lack of Mac support, couple with lack of innovation (sorry, you can throw all your crappy Swivel Search and Independent film streaming at me you want, it all sucks), add that to the increasing monthly charges, and it may be time to learn to live with that POS Motorola Fake-o from Cox.

[User7 @ Dec 9th 2008 7:36PM]

I bought my Tivo 13 months ago and have loved it until this week. The netflix service only works with HD and series 3 models ( mine is a series 2 ). And now this, most of the time that I press pause it's because I need silence.

[Craig Mische @ Dec 9th 2008 7:38PM]

I am a TiVo subscriber and this doesn't bother me at all. When I pause, I don't stare at the tv and if I am pausing because of a phone call, etc., it is entertainment (especially if it is a boring call).

[Tanner @ Dec 9th 2008 7:40PM]

That's fine, I honestly don't mind...BUT STOP CHARGING TIVO OR LOWER PRICES! GRRRR.....They'd make more off of hardware if they dropped the sub fee too

[Arex @ Dec 9th 2008 8:06PM]

I don't really mind this because, as others have stated, when my Tivo's paused, I'm not really paying attention to what's on screen anyway. Given their new (potential) revenue stream, it would be nice to see them lower subscription fees, but seeing as that is unlikely, then they need to continue to add features (e.g., Netflix streaming, YouTube support, etc.).

Of course, since I'm on a Series 2, I don't get any benefit from these new features. Then again, I can't really complain either because I got a lifetime subscription back in early 2003, so my effective monthly rate has been about $4.16 per month and falling...

[Terrence Newton @ Dec 9th 2008 8:45PM]

well.. considering that DVRs break the TV model, by killing the source of funding for (free) TV shows, stuff like this is quite necessary.

[Walt @ Dec 9th 2008 9:50PM]

I think this could start an excellent trend. For example, anytime you pause a dvd/blu ray, ads start popping up. Many the main dvd menu could just run ads. How about a paused or skipped song on the iPhone necessitating a commercial? Paused video game? > commercial time! What great business synergy. When my kids close their nintendo DS, it could passively play jingles from toy and candy commercials downloaded from the wifi connection. How about when you turn the TV off, it runs for an additional 15 seconds of required advertising time unless you physicially pull the plug - and if you do, you are required to watch the full 15 seconds when you turn it back on.

Lets run with it. Pave the way, Tivo.

[tyler @ Dec 9th 2008 9:51PM]

Wow, I always didn't like TiVo and this just gives me one more reason to like my Dish DVR even more.

I'd understand if TiVo was free, but it's not-- you pay upwards of $100 for a box and then $10 (or whatever) a month... ON TOP of your subscription to normal television (cable, sat, etc). Combine all this with TiVo's strange history with the open source software they use then locked up (erm, TiVo-ified) and you have a big pool of confusion.

1) Customer buys device
2) Customer buys subscription
3) Customer sees ads on paid-for device while skipping ads on TV
4) ???
5) Profit? (to TiVo, AARRgh! to the Customer)

Oh well... such is the way things work...

[keatonreckard @ Dec 9th 2008 10:19PM]

yeah you its definitely spelled schrute...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Schrute


did anyone else notice this?

[grendelblue @ Dec 9th 2008 10:25PM]

Actually, it's about time! TiVo has been trying to figure out how to save its own life and also prevent itself from being shut down by the copyright nazis. The simple solution is to put ads where people are paying the most attention to the television on the dvr: fast forwards and pauses. Why should anyone complain about this as long as they're not disabling fast forward during commercial. In other words, this is a GOOD thing!

[tony @ Dec 9th 2008 10:25PM]

I do see some legal problems here, or at least ethical.

The regular ads pay for the TV programming.
But as most people fast forward that part, TiVo now replace it with there own advertising and I would
guess not sending a check to the TV networks,

It would be like business model I though about 10 years ago,

Give people free or heavily discounted TV that have been custom made
to change the networks advertizing with ad from local businesses.
I sell the ad slots to help pay for the TV discounts, but forward none of the profit to the networks.