Categories: Capital Read, Inside the Queensway

Don't touch that … button! – A question for Tivo/Tifauxheads …

by kadyomalley on Saturday, September 6, 2008 11:15am - 24 Comments

… and I’m one myself (thanks, Rogers!), so I know what my answer will be, but I’m curious as to whether I’m in the minority …

Do you still watch live TV, or do you pretty much record everything at this point – other than news or sports, that is? Or do you compromise, and watch live, but strategically delayed just enough that you can still blitz through most commercials, because you’ve heard that ING guy order you to “Save. Your. Money” approximately eighteen batrillion times, and you’re fully apprised on the many benefits of alpaca farming?

Okay, so those of you answered yes to the above: What about when the election gets underway?

Will you blip through the soft-focus footage of gleeful Green Shift-intoxicated Liberals clapping for the leader? What about the softer, sweater-wearing side of Stephen Harper? Or Jack Layton, or the Greens, or — yeah, that’s kind of what I’m wondering. Has anyone looked at the Tivofication of television, and whether it’s still the most effective medium for political advertising, since it no longer guarantees a captive audience? I’m not sure if all the YouTube hits, website embeds, or even freebie ‘earned media’ on Mike Duffy and Don Newman’s shows in the world can make up for viewers lost to the >>>. Maybe it really does make more sense to buy radio ads – which are cheaper, and largely unskippable, at least at the moment.

Thoughts? Insight? Anything?

Tags: button-pushing, dvr, election advertising (no not in and out this time), Election Watch, remote control, technology is sneaky, tifo, tivaux, tv 2.0

More by kadyomalley

Durward

I still watch live TV, I record nothing nor have I bought the bathroom break tech box.
My thoughts on TV and the media decline have more to do with the fact they don’t often use facts and run with anything(Sarah Palin is a good example).
This is also why the blogging tories are so heavily read and lIb bloggs gets mostly curiosity surfers.
The people are sick of the BS and want facts.
The Leftysphere is clue-less in this regaurd and rely on propaganda, big mistake in today’s electronic media where people can go get the facts themselves.
http://www.macleans.ca Kady O’Malley

So – is that a yes or a no to watching campaign ads? Although it sounds as though you’ve pretty much made up your mind, so you’re not likely to be the target audience.
maplestar

I’m definitely flipping past commercials on almost everything since I got my TiVo. And even when I watch live, I have a tendancy to use that pause button to answer the phone or watch something on YouTube, so that by the end of the show, I’m not watching live any more.

That said, at least for me, I’m tending to watch what comes out of the candidates’ mouths. For example, the last couple of weeks of the American conventions. I ended up on PBS, since CNN’s commentators wouldn’t shut up and CPAC never seemed to start their coverage when the website said it would. And by the end of both conventions, what tended to happen is that I’d watch a speech and fast-forward when the talking heads went on (especially if I was watching the next morning and trying to keep up).

So it’s a double-edged sword, I guess, especially for those who believe that the media is distorting their party’s message…or it could just be my political junkie showing through.
Sisyphus

My method of dealing with the irritation of TV advertising is not to indulge in more technology. I just stopped watching (for the most part). And for the little I do watch I find screaming and ranting at the box to be very therapeutic.
I am not anyone’s target audience,political or commercial.
noclevermoniker

Age 50. Really enjoy ITQ insights and posters’ insights.

Still click realtime between Newman and Senator Mike. Look at RDI and TVA (my second language) for perspective. Always looking for thoughtful coverage of policy issues. TVO and CPAC are some resources used.

I understand modern campaign tactics, but absolutely despise Oily and ALL attack ads. Despise professional party spinners including party blogs and negative party websites.

Mainly use the internet to better understand how cheap tactics will affect “less obsessive voters” i.e. to sample ALL the TV/radio ads at party websites.

Probably “immediately before main TV news” ad “roadblocks” with positive policy statements would snag my peculiar demographic.
http://challengingthecommonplace.blogspot.com Chrystal Ocean

Haven’t a TV or radio, so No to your question. However, during elections I’m glued to CPAC. Thank goodness for online access!
http://carnewsandviews.com jwl

Kady

I have had a pvr for a couple of years and can’t remember the last time I watched anything live.

Since the conservatives have started running loads of ads in recent days, I find that I watch an ad once to get an idea of what it’s all about but don’t watch them again if they appear later on. I imagine I will do the same for the other parties ads as well.

So I am one vote for watching all political ads once to see what they are about but fast forwarding through them when I see the same ads again and again and again.

You can avoid radio ads if you turn the volume down or change the station, which I often do.
Mike

As a news junkie and too frugal to pay for Tivo, I am forced to watch Mr. Harper and his hands. He is already more annoying than the Ing guy. But then I have an Ing account because the Euroman is convincing and so far his message is factual. Not so sure about Mr. Harper.

Anyway, I think you might be onto something with the radio ads thing. What would really work for me though, is some sense that the contenders are genuine and not some trumped up media caricature of themselves.
Caper

I MUTE most ads and rarely listen to radio. Most TV ads are annoying and more than once, I am not sure what they are selling. So, most ads are a waste on me. I admit that I will probably try to watch the ads for my candidate, but will not pay attention to others.
Tim

The PVR is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

I time-bank TV viewing just about all the time. Say, if I get home around 5pm, Newman is on. I punch in Newsworld and press pause. Then I can go get the mail, maybe hit the store, talk to the neighbours, and at 5:14, I can come back and watch commercial-free. At the same time, Duffy is being recorded, so I can go back at 6 and watch him, and zip through the ads.

I also try to watch the HD channels as much as I can, because there is no simsub or inane cable company ad insertions into the feeds. For now, at least…
http://ridinginahandbasket.blogspot.com hanaboomom

We mainly watch shows on TiVo, forwarding past the commercials (other than when we watch kids shows, because my daughter claims she likes ads…that’s probably because the ads are for Marineland and My Little Pony, instead of the Conservatives or the Liberals).

During the election, I suspect I may watch a few more things live (like I did during the Olympics) but I will probably mute the commercials.

I’ve watched the recent round of Conservative ads online, just to see what they’re like, but one watching was enough. I’ll get most of my elections-related news from newspapers and the internet, so TV ads won’t reach me much, really.
http://www.macleans.ca Kady O’Malley

I wonder if it would be worthwhile to look at ways to make ads that work even when blipped through at triple speed — while watching Bones (don’t judge me), I did spot the last frame of one of the most recent Conservative ads, and I did come away with the distinct impression that we’re better off with Stephen Harper. Now, if only he could solve mysteries by analysing forensic evidence.
Mikael C.

If they do turn to radio, I’ll be using my iPod more in the car on a daily basis.

I get most of my media from the internet, but I still watch late night tv.
Torontonian

You’re still listening to radio?

Most radio is either talk or bad music and in Toronto we’ve got CFRB for talk and lots of others for bad music.

I listen to CBC radio news usually from the radio but sometimes from the internet.
Most of my music comes from the internet and
as far as TV goes, I PVR almost everything and do the fast forward during the dull bits except Saturday morning between 8 and 9 am for the political discussion from Ottawa.
http://skinnydips.blogspot.com SD

I don’t have Tivo. I am a channel flipper. I’m the type of person who could be watching two or three shows at the same time. If a political ad comes on the air, it needs to get my attention in the first two or three seconds or else I will switch the channel to another station.

Trying to avoid Stephen Harper commercials is like trying to boycott watching the Beijing Olympics. Both are omni-present. It can’t be done. I think Harper has control over my remote when he appears in a political ad. on TV. My channel up and down keys won’t work.
http://deleted Sandi

I have selected shows I watch…..good grief how many more pathetic reality shows can the come up with and boy this must be hurting writers.

And, I have my faithful “mute” button. I use it on every commercial and I watched one Harper ad…sweater vest and all and laughed. That was enough of the phony warm and fuzzy nonsense.
http://carnewsandviews.com jwl

“I wonder if it would be worthwhile to look at ways to make ads that work even when blipped through at triple speed”

I don’t believe watching one commercial sways anyone into voting for a candidate they weren’t going to vote for in the first place.

I think a lot of ads are just on tv to keep the ‘brand’, ‘product’ in the minds of viewers so as long as we see the political ads, and who they are promoting, I think they are still doing their job even if viewers fast forward them.
Stede Bonnet

In the absence of Peter Gzowski to define Canada through channeling Canadians, “Our nation turns it’s lonely eyes to you . . .” Rick Mercer:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080906.wrick06/CommentStory/politics/home

Advertising is, by and large, aimed at the uninformed and, again by and large, is conspicuously absent any intellectual or factual argument. As such anyone who buys anything based on being attracted to an advertisement is absolutely entitled to buyer’s remorse should the product not live up to expectations.

A refund, however, requires government, ahem, intervention in the form of legislation – again, by and large.

The folks this election will effect the most may not even be aware of Mrs. Robinson? Therefore, please forgive me I post the full lyrics:

Mrs. Robinson Lyrics

And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson,
Jesus loves you more than you will know.
God bless you, please Mrs. Robinson.
Heaven holds a place for those who pray,
Hey, hey, hey

We’d like to know a little bit about your for our files
We’d like to help you learn to help yourself.
Look around you all you see are sympathetic eyes,
Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home.

And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson,
Jesus loves you more than you will know.
God bless you, please, Mrs. Robinson.
Heaven holds a place for those who pray,
Hey, hey, hey

Hide in the hiding place where no one ever goes.
Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes.
It’s a little secret just the Robinsons’ affair.
Most of all you’ve got to hide it from the kids.

Koo-koo-ka-choo, Mrs. Robinson,
Jesus loves you more than you will know.
God bless you, please, Mrs. Robinson.
Heaven holds a place for those who pray,
Hey, hey, hey

Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon.
Going to the candidate’s debate.
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you’ve got to choose
Every way you look at this you lose.

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio,
Our nation turns it’s lonely eyes to you.
What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson.
Jotting Joe has left and gone away,
Hey hey hey.
http://liberal-arts-and-minds.blogspot.com/ knb

I did spot the last frame of one of the most recent Conservative ads, and I did come away with the distinct impression that we’re better off with Stephen Harper

Ha!
ITQ uncovers hidden agenda! Subliminal advertising being used by the Conservatives.

As to your question, I think radio ads hit a certain demographic so they have a place.

I don’t have tivo or a reasonable facsimile, but I generally click through ads.

Political ads, I’ll likely watch once unless forced to see sweater vest guy 200 times on CTV’s video platform. That is best done with the volume off.
http://carnewsandviews.com jwl

I was just reading National Newswatch and it provides link to new NDP ad called A New Kind Of Strong.

The ad is pretty good, way to bolshie for my taste, but bound to appeal to many. Jack has got to reinforce his party’s lefty outlook I guess before Dion tries to sell his party as the champion of the proles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5UDpj4ptEo
Blaise

I don’t need to see them On Television, I just hear about them on blogs like this one and then if I find that they really try to insult my inteligence and I’ll go look for them on youtube.
ARX

Long time PVR user, never watch adverts while watching TV anymore, almost never watch live TV (even the news I watch time delayed as Tim had previously described), and haven’t seen any of Harper’s ads (Go 30-second skip button!!).

Not much of a radio listener, usually listen to ad free music, and would flip stations if it was airing ads.

I guess I have a disinterest in ads in general, and distrust for political ads. And as I’m exceedingly loyal to my party, and have long since made the choice of which party to vote for, the only interest I would have is hoping my preferred party makes brilliant, compelling, and persuasive ads to capture the hearts of advert-watching voters across the country. And if by chance such an ad is made, or if there’s a controversial, funny, or otherwise must-see advert that’s the high talk of the day, I’m with Blaise, I’ll hunt for it on YouTube…
Charles Blaquière

Live TV? What’s that?

Oh, right — the time-sucking Chinese water torture we endured in the days before we got TiVo.

I watch about 1% live TV. What’s the point of channel-flipping in the faint hope of finding something to watch, only to have 1/4 of my viewing interrupted by ads? Our TiVo already knows everything we like and auto-records it, so we always have dozens of our favourite shows available any time we sit down in front of the TV.

We currently have 54 Season Passes (automatic repeat recordings) — not just shows we actively watch, but series currently off the air (TiVo will resume recording whenever they’ll reappear), shows recorded “just in case” their description reveals something interesting, and Wishlist recordings. (I want to redo the home office, so I asked TiVo to record any *home improvement* show with “office” in the description — automatically skipping unrelated shows like the sitcom “The Office”, for example.)

New shows continuously flow into the box, erasing old shows we haven’t felt like watching, like our endless stream of “HGTV porn”. Series we care about are automatically protected against erasure and remain until we have time to watch them. It’s TV heaven.

As for ads, we obviously fast-forward through every block, but zip back if we spot anything interesting. We actually watch about 5% of ads.

This does not include political ads, which I find biased and unfair. They insult my intelligence. I get my political information from the newspapers.
Blasteria Wongsihaa

CTV and Global are the worst. I wish I got magically erase them from this world with my TiVo whenever they take over an American network and hijack it.