TV-commercials

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

If you still watch traditional TV, what do and did you think of TV-commercials? Do you hate the breaks right in the middle of the programmes? Do you do anything to avoid it? Like watch Netflix or DVD instead? What commercials annoy you the most?

[Wesley]

I liked commercials when I was younger, but I don't care much for them nowadays, as they're usually advertising the same things over and over again. I don't do anything to avoid them. I just mute the tv or switch channels until they're over.

The commercials about shows I have no interest in watching annoy me the most. I don't mind the breaks in the middle of programmes, as it gives me time to think.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I liked commercials when I was younger, but I don't care much for them nowadays, as they're usually advertising the same things over and over again. I don't do anything to avoid them. I just mute the tv or switch channels until they're over.

The commercials about shows I have no interest in watching annoy me the most. I don't mind the breaks in the middle of programmes, as it gives me time to think.

I had no problems with them as a child, if watching a cartoon and seing advertisements for toys, videogames or whatever. But if there were some boring grown-up staff like laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid, I hated it!

Now it's only brainwashing advertisements for Internet casinos (don't think such advertisement is legal in Sweden yet, but nobody seems to care)! I hated it! I'd rather watch commercials for videogames or upcoming films.

[Jephael]

I got a DVR, so I can fast forward through commercials just like we used to do using VCRs back in the day. However, sometimes I'll stop and watch an ad if it's for something I might want to buy or the commercial itself is amusing. Last year when the Super Bowl aired I actually fast forwarded through the games just to watch the commercials and the half-time show, LOL.

[Wildcat]

Well I don't mind them generally. Some are good, clever or funny but the amount of commercials on some broadcasts is outrageous. Obviously it's why DVRs were invented but you're not going to watch everything recorded. I mean you're gonna watch stuff in real time too.

I've been thinking a whole separate channel for commercials would be better. It sounds pointless but it would give advertisers more time and some could even be like mini series. Some already are like Geico.

Seriously I think people would be more inclined to watch a commercial channel if it meant more interesting ads. You'd wonder what was new. It'd be a novelty. Rather than 8-10 mins of interruption during a show.

There could still be commercials during shows just significantly less.

[chrisdude]

They never bothered me that much. When my family got DVR, someone would have to remind me during a commercial break, because I never thought to pick up the remote and hit fast-forward. TV shows are built around commercials. They're structured for it. It doesn't seem intrusive or irritating, to me. Plus, there's the understanding that it pays the bills, and funds the show you're enjoying. The fact that people can spend millions of dollars creating something, and you get to enjoy it for free because of advertising is pretty awesome.

I think as "TV" transitions into streaming, we'll probably see more personalized and relevant advertising that's easier to swallow, like you see on Facebook or twitter.

All that being said, web advertising can go to hell and die. I don't mind stationary banners. But those pop-up banners that you click by accident when you're trying to scroll? Evil. Or that audio that you hear, but you can't find the little box this playing a video? Burn it. Don't even get me started on redirects. I'll go as far as to disable ad block on sites that I like, but not if they pull that BS.

[Icebot]

Sometimes commercials are annoying but some of them are very entertaining and useful to me, like when I see something I want or need. It's always cool to see old commercials that haven't aired in years that come back. That brings back memories!