Apparently Tivo is trying to find ways to encourage viewers to watch ads so Tivo can make money off of advertising.
For the most part, I don’t want to watch advertising — that’s one of the reasons I have Tivo in the first place. Skipping through the ads takes a little effort, but it’s better than sitting through them. I love watching TV shows on DVD because I don’t even have to skip the ads: they just aren’t there.
Of course, the TV networks don’t like the idea of Tivo letting people skip through commercials, because that’s how the TV networks make their money.
Hey, TV networks! Want some money for ads people aren’t seeing? Hey, Tivo! Want to get the TV networks to not kick up a fuss about people not seeing ads? Cut a deal and give customers what they really want.
I’m sure I’m not the only person who would pay extra to have the commercials automatically deleted from my Tivo recordings. Split the revenue between Tivo and the networks, and everybody’s happy.
Except the advertisers. But they can get in on the action, too. Hey advertisers! Want to have Tivo viewers watch your ads? Hey Tivo! Want to have customers willing to watch ads so you can make money off advertising? Offer incentives, such as discounted Tivo service pricing to customers willing to watch programming with unskippable ads.
These ideas are offered free of charge to Tivo, the networks, and the advertisers. Cut a deal, folks, and give customers what they want.
Happy customers. Happy networks. Happy advertisers. Happy Tivo.