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On the PVR

In this week's episode, NPR show On the Media has a discussion about PVRs and television networks (2.4MB MP3) with Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi.

One of the highlights is a study by CBS that says 50% of PVR owners skip commercials.  This is down from 70%, which nebulous "other studies" report as the fraction of commercial-skippers in our midst.

 

Another interesting bit of information is that networks are starting to look at TV as a stepping-stone instead of a destination.  TV shows on DVD make up "a multibillion-dollar market," and everyone is waiting for an iTunes Music Store for downloadable shows.  Instead of worrying about showing commercials, the focus would be on selling DVDs and downloads.  If the business shifts that way, people who say "Any time you skip a commercial you're actually stealing the programming" are going to sound a lot like the "Home taping is killing music" bunch.

by George Hotelling September 28, 2005 in News