We are seeing the beginning of the end for a wonderful experiment. A lot of us used to love our TiVos. But their bad behavior, in spamming their own customers, has now reached what, for me, is the last straw. Soon we will be presented with an ad while fast-forwarding through the ads.
First they started downloading commercials to my PVR without my permission. Commercials that used my bandwidth and storage space, and which I couldn't opt out of, and couldn't delete even after they were put on my machine.
Then they started putting the "Press Thumbs Up" banner over select commercials.
And now this. LA Times:
By March, TiVo viewers will see "billboards," or small logos, popping up over TV commercials as they fast-forward through them, offering contest entries, giveaways or links to other ads. If a viewer "opts in" to the ad, their contact information will be downloaded to that advertiser — exclusively and by permission only — so even more direct marketing can take place.
So I'm certain now that I will never but another TiVo. I'll probably be looking into the various PC based PVRs, and I'm watching the video/podcasters -- SteveG is a great example -- with great interest. They may be the next big thing.
Posted by jackhodgson at November 21, 2004 06:31 PM