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OK, I just don't get it. I have a TV in my studio and tune in from time to time. I've noticed that networks such as TV Land have changed their schedules at certain times of the day. They heve timed the traditional 30 minute sitcom at 40 or 45 minutes. Former 1 hour shows are 1 hour 15 min. Why? So they can jam an extra 10 or 15 minutes of commercials into their pockets. So, a 30 minute show that used to be 22 minutes of content is now a 40 minutes with 20-22 minutes of content.
So, nearly half of the content is commercials Even if you watch one of the old shows such as Bonanza or Raymond, it is diluted with by 50% with ads!!
It's not enough that we pay for the programing in our ever increasing cable bills, now we have to endure 3 minute AARP commercials along with constant promos of their "exclusive new sitcoms" which are anything but entertaining. They're all about people with no respect for family life.
There's my rant.
[ June 11, 2012, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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back in the fall, we got 2 Roku s (wireless video devices) we subscribe to Netflix and for awhile HuluPlus, before they cut a bunch of content- the Roku can get all sorts of other content "channels" as well- if we want to watch a recent movie, we click on Amazon video and rent or buy them directly from there. We also have access to Netflix through our Wii. The 2 Roku devices were less than $80 for both with free shipping. Our kids love Netflix and hardly watch regular tv anymore.
I have gotten very spoiled with watching shows either without commercials (Netflix) or limited commercials (HuluPlus) plus I like to watch entire seasons, multiple episodes in one setting, etc...
When I studied broadcast production in college, we had to program all sorts of shows, commercials and other content- it was very interesting to figure out which commercials would pay for which shows and how to make them all fit...
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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I'm with you Dale!! We have satellite TV...near $100/month, 300 channels. Shirl loves it. But really there is nothing on that I am interested in usually.
I am happy with Netflix for 8 bux a month. Shirl watches what she wants on TV and I watch what I want on my 28" monitor, with surround sound speakers.
And believe me....If Shirl is happy, so am I!!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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I have watched Madmen all season, until the last of it, last night. I start it, let it run 15 minutes, back it up and speed past the commercials. No garbage and easy to do on ATT Uverse.
I pay $200 a month for it and rarely is there a good movie there I really want to watch, but now I know more about how WW2 ended that ever before. Did you hear that Stalin knew all about our A-bomb before we dropped it? ...and how about how the Japanese fought so courageously to the death at Iwo? You would think this is startling news!
I have also learned every trick Pawn stars has up their sleeves about negotiating and see with all the money the two guys from the antique store that go around and buy stuff from hoarders, they are still speaking to one another. For me the money is watching How Its Made. I always wondered how they made potato chips or watch springs.
With this much garbage, you would think Facebook or Google would jump into the fray and re-invent tv watching.... Gotta run. I might miss something really interesting like how I might have mesothelioma or need some special pill for those special moments that last all day, but if it lasts more than four hours, I should rush to the ER....to hear Fred Thompson, who ran for president, offer to send me free information about a reverse mortgage. Does that reverse those special moments, Fred?
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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I very rarely watch TV anymore -- only if there is something special on like the Kentucky Derby or maybe a Ken Burns documentary. I never listen to pop music anymore. The only movies I watch, maybe 2 or 3 a month, are from Netflix. Cant stand the huge screens and deafening sound at the movie theater.
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 907 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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I agree, Dennis. The vast and ever-expanding wasteland......a neverending parade of goons, losers, cut-throats and ghouls....hundreds of channels of garbage. Not only programming; but many of the commercials they pile on endlessly are just inane and stupid. And those infomercials.......sheesh..!!!!!!!!!!!
It's been a long time, but when I was growing up, we had 3 channels. They came on at 6 am, and went off at midnite. There was never a time of day when you couldn't find something worthwhile to watch. Try that now.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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we have COX CABLE............I AM SO SICK OF THEIR FRICKIN COMMERCIALS!!!!!!! theirs preempts other commercials!!! its 5 minutes of tv show, 6 minutes of tv ADDS!!!!! i have CREATE TV shows. its a lot of cooking, building, fixin your home shows......ITS COMMERCIAL FREE except between the different shows.
[ June 12, 2012, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I started reading at night instead of watching the boob tube. I watch a few of the old shows once in a while. My new favorites are the old half hour Gunsmokes in B&W. Good stories and well written.
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I have cable, but only because the package was cheaper than getting the phone and internet separately. The only things I watch on TV are the news and an occasional ball game. I'd much rather read and I read about a book a week.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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We too have gone the Roku (Angry Birds Edition) and Apple TV box route (hence the lack of need for cable). After you don't have cable for a few years...everything seems pretty new on Netflix (for $8.40 per month). So, Brenda and I watch a lot of previous seasons of different shows, without commercials.
I suppose if Netflix doesn't expand their offerings soon, it will get old. But for now, it works for us.
It's too bad they just won't let you pick and choose what channels you would like to have....if they did I might be a customer again? Don't need 300 channels of crap.
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I installed an Antennae last fall. I get over 32 channels of good stuff. All FREE! And best of all. There are fewer commercials to boot. No cable bills, No satellite bills. Nothing. All FREE. And better yet. We get free most of the same stuff others pay for. The digital side of the spectrum has 3 channels each for every one on the list. For example. Channel 17 has three versions. 17.1 17.2 and 17.3
All of them have different content.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I think all of us have a justifiable rant about TV in general, Rick. You have yours; each of us may experience something different.....same bottom line.
We're inundated with inane commercials, stupid sitcoms, a neverending variety of moronic reality shows, one sided news, and on and on....
Like Dale said above, it would be neat if a provider would give you a choice of which 25, or 50, or however many stations you would like. But then, a lot of those terrific programs and ads would never be seen. Oh....wait.....that's the general idea, isn't it?
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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Roku with Netflix works fine for what we watch. Cable has so many commercials, they made it easy to give up. Radio is the same way. I used to listen to radio quite a bit, but with commercials taking up half the air time, I can't stay interested.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Even if you watch one of the old shows such as Bonanza or Raymond, it is diluted with by 50% with ads!! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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