Too many commercials.

I saw this come across my screen this morning from http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=45264

It seems that ABC wants to disable the fast forward function on DVR's in order to force you to watch the commercials as if you were watching live TV. I almost laughed out loud when I read this. Here's another disconnect that reminded me of the telemarketing industry protesting the tens of millions of people signing up for the federal Do Not Call list.

It seems there are already too many commercials per show. I haven't timed it lately, but it seems just as I'm getting involved with the show, it's time for a commercial break. I've noticed what used to be one and a half and two hour shows are now stretching three hour time slots in order to accomodate the already shortened movie and all the commercials. I had heard at one point that the television industry is in a half hour time slot, aiming for 15 minutes of show and 15 minutes of commercial advertising. We as consumers can tolerate some commericials knowing the industry has to pay their bills, but the rest get fast forwarded via VCR or DVR. If companies follow suit with ABC on this disabling fast forward, I'm going to keep my VCR. I tend to record most shows anyways to bypass the commercials. My time is valuable, and watching commericials tends to feel like a waste.

Hollywood just doesn't get it

I'm running off the top of my head here, but it amazes me that Hollywood doesn't seem to understand the sagging sales seen at the box offices.

In my opinion, the following is happening. People are only willing to pay theater prices for quality movies. Since it seems Hollywood has been producing lower quality (at least in the general public's minds) movies, people feel the price to be paid for them is strictly for home video and DVD. I mean, who's willing to pay fifty bucks ( including popcorn and drinks) for a trip to the movie theater to watch crap? People are thinking it's better to watch it on DVD, that way they can resell the DVD used and get some of their money back if they don't like it. I don't remember a quality/satisfaction guarantee at the theaters, do you?