Discussion of all things related to Public Domain

[tom poe <tompoe AT renonevada.net>]

Hi:  I suppose I should go find out what a TiVO is, but later.

This sure sounds like the stuff dreams are built on.  I am referring to our 
public jerk, Kellner, who wanted everyone to know that viewers have a 
contract to watch ads, and if they don't, they're breaking the law.

So, the day will come, as it seems "they've" already decided that we WILL 
WATCH, or the TiVO crashes!  This is not a pretty picture.
Thanks,
Tom 
http://www.studioforrecording.org/
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/
http://renotahoe.pm.org/


On Monday 27 May 2002 11:44, Jon O. wrote:
- - -snip - - -
>
>     BBC hijacks TiVo recorders
>     I want my Spam TV
>         http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/25436.html
>
>   BBC hijacks TiVo recorders
>    By Andrew Smith
>    Posted: 24/05/2002 at 23:22 GMT
>
>    Users of the TiVo digital video recorder have reacted angrily to a new
>    sponsorship  feature  that  automatically  records certain programmes,
>    adverts and other promotional material.
>
>    One  of  TiVo's  more  innovative features is its ability to recommend
>    programmes  based on viewing habits, such as watching every episode of
>    a soap opera or every film starring a certain actor.
>
>    But viewers in the UK were surprised this week to find that the second
>    episode  of  the  little-known  BBC  sitcom  "Dossa  and Joe" had been
>    recorded  without  their knowledge and added to the system's main menu
>    screen.
>
>    They  were  even  more surprised to find that they won't be allowed to
>    delete  the programme for one week, and that more sponsored recordings
>    are on the way.
>
>    TiVo  defended  the  new "Advanced Content" feature, insisting that it
>    doesn't  adversely  affect  a  viewer's usage of the system. Sponsored
>    programmes  are  recorded  on a reserved section of the hard disk, and
>    only if the viewer isn't watching or recording something else.
>    Vice President of TiVo Europe, Andrew Cresci, told The Register: "This
>    feature provides an innovative new way for networks and programmers to
>    deliver interesting, new or exclusive content to TiVo subscribers."
>    "This  does  not  change subscribers ongoing use of the product and we
>    hope  over  time  the  value of the content provided will outweigh any
>    perceived inconvenience this creates."
>    Some  viewers  have complained that the feature amounts to a hijacking
>    of  TiVo  boxes with little regard for the owner's wishes. Others have
>    been  quick  to  dub  it  "spam television" and have suggested that it
>    should have been introduced on an opt-in basis.
>    But  Cresci  points  out  that  viewers  who  do not want to watch the
>    sponsored programmes can simply ignore them.
>    "The  feature  was  not introduced as 'opt-in' because as with similar
>    features  like  Channel Highlights and Inside TiVo, these features are
>    optional for users to use," he explained.
>    "In  the future viewers could receive exclusive content or previews of
>    new  shows.  The possibilities for delivery of content are interesting
>    and we hope that viewers will find it valuable."
>
>    Teething troubles
>
>    Although there have been complaints about license fee money being paid
>    to  TiVo, which still has a very small audience in the UK, it is clear
>    why the BBC would want to promote "Dossa and Joe" in this way.
>
>   The  series,  written  by  The  Royle  Family  and  Mrs Merton creator
>    Caroline Aherne, should have been a hit. But despite critical acclaim,
>    ratings have been poor. The first episode attracted just 1.5m viewers,
>    a figure that dropped to 1m for the second episode -- just 5% audience
>    share for its time slot.
>    As  much  as  the BBC has a responsibility not to squander license fee
>    money,  it  also  has  a  responsibility  to  find an audience for the
>    programmes  it  invests  in. Forcing "Dossa and Joe" upon the nation's
>    TiVo  owners,  some  of who are sure to watch it and then tune in next
>    week, can only help.
>    After all, the toughest part of getting viewers to continue watching a
>    television  series  is  getting them to start watching it in the first
>    place.
>    But  ironically,  due  to  the  BBC's notoriously bad time-keeping and
>    TiVo's  strict  adherence to schedules, the programme started late and
>    therefore  any  TiVo  viewers watching the recording would have missed
>    the last few minutes.
>    Advertainment
>    Meanwhile,  TiVo  sponsorship  in the US has been introduced in a more
>    commercial way this week, as the system automatically recorded a video
>    promoting  Sheryl  Crow's new album, along with two adverts for TiVo's
>    distribution partner Best Buy.
>    These  recordings  were  part  of  a  strategy  announced  last  week,
>    described  by  TiVo  as  "advertainment"  that "establishes far deeper
>    communications with consumers".
>    The  move towards this more direct form of advertising was inevitable.
>    Although  viewers  own their set-top box, TiVo has free rein to update
>    the system software and add new features.
>    The  company  has  made  no  secret  of  its  intention  to  work with
>    broadcasters  and  advertisers, and to market products directly to its
>    400,000-strong captive audience.
>    And  although there has been a backlash from some US viewers, there is
>    little difference between what TiVo is doing now and the 'interactive'
>    advertising  on British satellite and cable channels. Such advertising
>    is  promoted  as a somewhat gimmicky bonus and receives little, if any
>    objection from viewers.
>    Another  marketing strategy that TiVo has already trialled but not yet
>    introduced   is  expected  to  combinine  census  data  with  personal
>    information  supplied  by  the  viewer to deliver targeted advertising
>    based on location, age, gender, wealth and lifestyle. ®
>