Video On Demand

[roxdeb]

it is no no longer just fox and ABC,,now NBC no longer allows the fast forward option, very frustrating,,what is the point of watching on 'on demand' if you have watch the commercials,,and they repeat the same ads over and over, worse than watching on the regular network, I am very disappointed in the On Demand service.

[maryanneregan]

there are many many folks who feel the same way......Comcast simply does not care about its customers

[ladkid]

Interesting.  My last post included a link to an on line petition web site in the event anyone was interested in starting a petition to send to comcast on this issue and it looks like the mods for this forum deleted my post.  The website had no offensive material in it whatsoever so I don't see how posting the link would have violated the forum rules.  That pretty much shows you comcast's commitment to customer satisfaction

[comnasty]

Comcast ,who do you think you are fooling,you are paying less and less for programing so the networks are passing the buck to us.

[Bob12212012]

You want to know what I do, I use either my old VCR and VHS tapes to record the show then watch it with no problem of FF on the commercials first before I watch it or I use my computer with a cable to the DVR to record the show and then use video editing software to remove the commercials so I can then record whatever I want to record to DVD, Like movies or TV shows that I want for the future. If you don't have a video capture card you could always record to a DVD-RW disc if you have a DVD recorder then use that disc to transfer to your computer and edit out the commercials again using video software. If you need video editing software you can go to www.download.com and search for your version of either mac or windows freeware versions.

[Bob12212012]

PS you know what really sucks 12212012 stands for my exwifes birthday. Imagine that.

[maryanneregan]

Thank you.....this is an outrage to have to do this in order to watch on Comcast for the price we pay....AND Comcast is raising rates AGAIN

[swingingby]

You know what is interesting is that Comcast owns NBC!!   Go figure.

[maryanneregan]

i am seriously of the opinion now that corporations are now nickel and diming us all.  Surely if they cared, NBC and comcast could do away with this nonsense.  Even more ridiculous is that i won't even watch on demand that doesn't let me FF anymore.  You know they're reading all these complaints but could care less.  I guess monopolies are not illegal.....only if they bankrupt their competition according to Mass. law.

[Commtech9501]

No FF is not a Comcast decision. It also does not only effect Comcast. Do i agree that it is annoying? Absolutly...but the anger is being pointed the wrong direction. Could Comcast decide to not offer programming where the network "demands" FF be disabled? I am sure they could but i would think that would be even worse.

[comnasty]

Another shill for Comcast is heard.Everything on our TV or computer happens because Comcast controls it,these little things keep adding up until enough people get fed up and start looking for alternatives.

[maryanneregan]

I disagree.......you must work for Comcast.....do you? 

[ladkid]

Commtech -  Comcast pointing this issue back to the networks is an easy and convenient excuse to do nothing.  While I understand the networks are pushing the advertising Comcast on the other hand is a major corporate entity with a great deal of leverage and clout.  They should be using that leverage on behalf of their customers to push back on the networks versus doing absolutely nothing which is the only thing we can assume they're doing at this point since we're hearing NOTHING from them on the issue      

[maryanneregan]

@ladkik......I agree!   Whatever happened to "customer is always right?"

[Commtech9501]

all you have to do is google the issue. you will find directv forums, att forums, verizon forums.....all with posts about this issue. i agree we shouldn't have to watch commercials when viewing ondemand content but it doesnt make sense to me to pick one of the providers and blame them. i would say the same thing for directv and i am no fan of dish companies.

[ladkid]

Again I'm not blaming Comcast for the situation.  What Im blaming them for is not taking any steps to do anything about it like going back to the networks and trying to negotiate a better solution for their customers and if the dish providers aren't trying to do anything about it either than they are just as guilty.  Multiple wrongs don't make a right.  Consumers are already force fed all of this advertising when watching shows real time.  There's absolutely no reason to have to endure it again in an On-Demand environment.  If Comcast would join forces with the dish providers on this issue they could use that leverage to force the networks to take action.       

[Commtech9501]

ladkid...

That i can agree with.

[andyross]

http://www.multichannel.com/article/480186-CableLabs_VOD_Advertising_Technically_Ready_To_Roll.php

[Bob12212012]

So Comcast is the culprit here, to me it sounds like Comcast is buying there service to get more ad revenue.

[chromagroup]

To "ComcastNick" and all of the other "Comcast Fanbois & Shills": 

---

ComcastNick wrote:

This is a network decision.  The only way they will allow their content to be on demand is with commercials and with FF disabled.  Comcast had to decide to either not put the content on demand, or to allow it on demand with commercials and no FF.  This is the same for all providers, the networks decide what content is available on demand, and how that content is available. 

If it was up to us, we would make it available with FF and no commercials like the rest of our video on demand content.

---

That generic "PR talking point" response is, quite simply, a bunch of baloozee!!! 

If this were really true then why, pray tell, are we now forced to watch commercials with FF disabled during VOD programming from networks which Comcast owns outright, such as NBC, hmmm??? 

Oh wait..., I forgot..., just like; 

--the giant banner advert occupying 1/4 of my TV screen...,

--eliminating the ability to schedule recordings on a regular SA or Cisco STB..., and...,

--compressing the HD VOD content to the point that the quality is no better than a bad YouTube video...,

it is obviously being done in order to provide me with a "better and more enhanced customer experience". 

Thank you, Comcast. 

Please continue to empty your bladder on my head and tell me it's raining. 

I'm sure the next "feature" or thing that is "beyond Comcast's control" will be a daily reaming with a wire brush. 

Please sir..., may I have another?

[ladkid]

So I see that once again a post I made on this topic was apparently deleted by one of the Comcast mods even though it contained no vulgarity or profanity other than the letters BS.  I guess comcast thinks SILENCING their customers is much easier than SATISFYING them on this issue.  It's really sad isn't it  

[ComcastNick]

---

chromagroup wrote:

---

That generic "PR talking point" response is, quite simply, a bunch of baloozee!!! 

If this were really true then why, pray tell, are we now forced to watch commercials with FF disabled during VOD programming from networks which Comcast owns outright, such as NBC, hmmm??? 

It is true that Comcast as a corporation owns NBC.  The way I understand it, when Comcast purchased the NBC corporation, as part of the Antitrust settlement with the Justice Department, Comcast had to agree not to subject the NBC service to Comcast customers to special treatment.  This included the commercials for VOD content, since that is a business desision by NBC, Fox, ABC, and Turner channels, per our agreement with the Justice Department, we cannot remove the commercials from the NBC broadcasts on our VOD, or we would be subject to litigation under that agreement. 

Now, I am not a lawyer, and am not speaking for any legal department, but that is my understanding on why NBC has commericals on VOD despite the fact that the Comcast corporation owns NBC.

I understand that the commercials there are not something that you are happy about, but that sentiment needs to be expressed to the broadcast companies to be effective.  Comcast has two choices for the VOD content for Fox, NBC, ABC, and Turner.  We can either have the VOD content available with commercials and no FF option.  Or we can not have the content available.

I am sorry if that is not the answer that you want, but this is truly not something that is a Comcast decision.

[Bob12212012]

Thank you ComcastNick for giving us a straight forward answer to our question.

[comnasty]

Forget the explanations. Comcast needs to refuse to carry VOD from ANY network with fast forwarding shut off.It's called Principles

[ladkid]

"I understand that the commercials there are not something that you are happy about, but that sentiment needs to be expressed to the broadcast companies to be effective."

AGAIN I would say that with all of Comcast's Corp clout and leverage behind them THEY should be doing this on their customer's behalf.  The individual consumer trying to battle multiple major networks on this issue doesn't stand a chance.  Comcast on the other hand who already has legal contractual relationships with all of the networks is in the best position to fight this battle and if they really cared about their customer's concerns they'd already be sitting down with the networks to offer up alternatives and negotiate a happy medium of some kind. 

Comcast with the support of all their customers behind them are in the best position to LEAD a petition effort against all of the networks to remove the FF requirement on all VOD content.  It's as simple as that.  Saying there's nothing you can do and tossing it on the backs of your customers is not an acceptable answer.           

[chromagroup]

To "ComcastNick", et al....

---

ComcastNick wrote:

---

chromagroup wrote:

---

That generic "PR talking point" response is, quite simply, a bunch of baloozee!!! 

If this were really true then why, pray tell, are we now forced to watch commercials with FF disabled during VOD programming from networks which Comcast owns outright, such as NBC, hmmm??? 

It is true that Comcast as a corporation owns NBC.  The way I understand it, when Comcast purchased the NBC corporation, as part of the Antitrust settlement with the Justice Department, Comcast had to agree not to subject the NBC service to Comcast customers to special treatment.  This included the commercials for VOD content, since that is a business desision by NBC, Fox, ABC, and Turner channels, per our agreement with the Justice Department, we cannot remove the commercials from the NBC broadcasts on our VOD, or we would be subject to litigation under that agreement. 

Now, I am not a lawyer, and am not speaking for any legal department, but that is my understanding on why NBC has commericals on VOD despite the fact that the Comcast corporation owns NBC.

---

Just to be clear at the outset..., I am not, by any means, suggesting that you are personally engaging some sort of "reverse double-speak".  

I am, however, saying the you are (understandably and unavoidably, given your employee status) parroting the Comcast "corporate spin" (read:  "lies") coming out of Philadelphia.  
(For example:  "Comcast absolutely DOES NOT interfere with internet traffic on specific ports by sending TCP reset packets which impersonate the user's IP address...", and..., "No, Comcast would NEVER pay random people to fill all of the seats at the FCC Public Hearing in order to prevent any opposing voices from speaking...", until Comcast was busted outright with extensive, irrefutable computer forensics evidence and with affidavits from the people they paid, and then it was:  "Oh wait..., were busted??  Okay well..., we did do all of that stuff..., and more.").  

My point is this:  
What you have posed as the reason/answer for this issue is, in fact, the exact reverse of what is mandated by the aforesaid Agreement with respect to the Comcast-NBC/Universal takeover.  
My company (which I own) has an in-house Legal Department headed by three smart individuals (and they **are** experienced lawyers).  For reasons which are peripheral to our operations, that office closely monitored the NBC/Universal takeover.  
I am told by them (in this memo on my desk) that, under the ratified Agreement and regarding all of the program networks controlled by Comcast, the newly combined company:  
"....shall not engage in any actual or material practice which serves to prohibit, restrict, or otherwise unreasonably restrain access to its networks or programs, including but not limited to local sports and news services, by any other legitimate rival or competitor satelite, cable, or telco pay TV services, as well as any legitimate online video distribution provider...", and should Comcast and a competitor/provider be unable to agree on contract terms, then the said competitor/provider "...may request, and shall be granted, an independent arbitrator to resolve the matter within 90 days...".

Note that this language, as well as the other language in the Agreement regarding access to programming content controlled by Comcast, is referring to the "treatment" that Comcast is obliged to give ONLY to OTHER service providers and THEIR customers.  
The only provisions in the Agreement that in any way relate to maintining parity (equality) with other companies' channels/netowrks when delivering that content to ITS OWN customers/users simply forbid Comcast from intentionally making the content from those channels/networks unattractive ("malicicious signal degradation") or from discouraging access to the content through "tuner channel isolation" (for example if MSNBC, CNBC, CNN, FoxNews and FBN are all on channels numbered 41 thru 45 consecutively, then Comcast cannot arbitrarily stick Bloomberg's channel way down on channel 998).  Also, Comcast can not discriminate between Web services, for example, by intentionally transmitting Xfinity online video at faster speeds than other online video providers.  
Frankly, under "fair commerce" statutes, if Comcast wanted to transmit the content it controls (NBC, Bravo, etc.) to ITS OWN customers with the video image upside-down requiring a unique STB code to turn it rightside-up again then thay are perfectly free to do so (albeit an intentionally and obviously silly example).  But the bottom line is that under those same statutes, as well as under the aforesaid ratified takeover Agreement, Comcast is also perfectly free to deliver NBC On Demand to ITS OWN customers without commercials.  
(By the way I have a law degree, too, I just don't practice.  The really smart guys in my Legal Dept. tell me this stuff.)

Don't drink the Kool-Aid.  

Bishop to King-Three..., Check.  Your move.

[ladkid]

Wow Chromagroup, very insightful !  Let me first start by saying I'd like you and your legal team to head up the fight for us against Comcast on this issue LOL !  Now if I have the facts right,  at least in the case of NBC, Comcast can in fact choose to eliminate commercials (or turn ON FF function) for their OWN customers who are begging them to do so.  The fact that they haven't or won't even entertain doing it leads any reasonable person to conclude Comcast is also PROFITING from the advertisers in some form or fashion and instead of being up front about it to their customers they've chosen to hide behind a lie and make all of the Networks out to be the culprit here.  I would love to see a Comcast executive issue a public statement on this issue which I'm sure would also trigger a response from the networks and this would really let us separate fact from fiction here.  Unfortunately anything written in this forum seems to fall on deaf ears with Comcast and I don't know what other recorse we have to get this complaint to someone within Comcast who's in a position of REAL authority to address it                

[maryanneregan]

I was able to FF on TNT and ABC last night although it still had "you may not be able to FF" message.   Maybe we are getting somewhere!    Greedy NBC

[ComcastNick]

---

maryanneregan wrote:

I was able to FF on TNT and ABC last night although it still had "you may not be able to FF" message.   Maybe we are getting somewhere!    Greedy NBC

---

NBC, ABC, FOX, and Turner will have that message on all their programs, but not all their programs have FF disabled.  Last I heard, we were trying to get messaging set up only on the specific programs, but for now it just shows up on all VOD content from those providers.

To the legal point. 

While what you quoted does provide different examples of unfair practices, I cannot see anyway in which Comcast decides to make NBC programming available with out commercials to their customers while other cable providers still have commercials and cannot FF, that will not result in a formal complaint.  Despite not being specifically listed in the agreement, doing that would seem like a cut and dry case of unfair business practice that is happening because of the acquistion of NBC, and exactly the kind of thing that was to be prevented by that agreement.

As a non lawyer, what you suggest, making one set of rules for Comcast customers, and another set of rules for competitor's customers, sounds to me like unfair practices. 

Am I wrong in looking at it that way? 

I am asking an honest question, because I don't know. 

[ladkid]

Enough of this.  When are we going to have a PUBLIC statement delivered to us from a Cocast Executive that completely outlines Comcast's policy on this issue ie, where is FF being disabled, under what circumstances and by whose decision ???????  If this is truly all up to the networks I want to see that explained in detail via way of FORMAL letter by a Comcast VP to all Comcast customers and not a forum mod (nothing personal Comcastnick).    

[comnasty]

I second that motion

[Bob12212012]

It be nice to hear from the top brass on this issue.

[ComcastTeds]

This has been going on since at least 2008 (link below).

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2008/02/26/abc_and_comcast_remove_fast_forward_from_vod_of...

This is primarily a business decision by the broadcast and cable networks - the networks control the rights to their own produced content and what they will allow or not allow. 

In order to get new On Demand content and keep current On Demand content, the networks are insisting upon having the FF disabled to preserve their current business model - short version is that the networks sell ads to make money to produce shows that hopefully get eyeballs so that they can sell ads at a higher rate.   

Below link from Comcast's blog talks about this (from Marcien Jenckes, SVP & GM of Comcast's Video Services) http://blog.comcast.com/author/marcien-jenckes/

Blog post here: http://blog.comcast.com/2011/04/new-frontiers-in-video-on-demand.html

excerpted below

"Some of the new initiatives and trials we've been working on include allowing for Nielsen to rate TV content viewed On Demand; disabling the fast forward feature so advertisements can be viewed and counted in the ratings mix, which also enables us to bring customers even more of the best content around; dynamic ad insertion; addressability in advertising; Interactive TV applications, and many others. All of this experimentation will lead to new and interesting outcomes for us and our TV partners, as we continue to see an increased desire from the entertainment industry to leverage VOD."

[ladkid]

"us and our TV partners"

Those 5 words in your post tells me pretty much all I need to know on this subject.  Translated another way comcast and the networks (ABC in this case) have decided to TEAM up and screw the customer by telling them we're not going to give you what you wanna see if you don't let us shove these advertisements down your throat.  How totally pathetic this is.  I notice you can still FF on CBS shows.  I guess CBS must still have some inkling of how their customers feel about this subject.  

Also, to your point: "short version is that the networks sell ads to make money to produce shows that hopefully get eyeballs so that they can sell ads at a higher rate."

Sorry but I'm not buying that at all.  The networks have been selling adds to produce their shows years before VOD was even a thought in anyone's mind and had VOD never been invented they'd still be selling spots to advertisers for the commercials to be run while shows air in real time just as they still do today.  To insinuate that shows could not be produced or paid for without having commercials running in VOD is just a flat out lie.  Again I say look at CBS shows where we CAN still FF. 

Hopefully Marcien Jenckes,  SVP & GM of Video Services reads this forum.  If he does he'll see that we've all had as much of his "Dynamic ad insertion" as we can stand at this point. 

AGAIN I WILL SAY:  When will a Comcast Exec (Marcien Jenckes if that's the right guy) issue a clear and concise letter DIRECTLY TO to us customers on the issue of turning off the FF forward feature in "ON DEMAND" ??????  I could care less what he has to say to trade magazines and the communications industry in general.  He's telling people what he THINKS the customer wants and he's not even listening to the customer because the CUSTOMER WANTS EITHER COMMERCIAL FREE ON DEMAND OR FF ENABLED FOR ALL ON DEMAND PRGRAMMING. It's that simple.         

[maryanneregan]

Maybe they want us to watch the show on the day it comes on so that their ratings will be better.   Is that possible????  i think so

[ladkid]

Well if you go to the following web link provided in ComcastTed's response above:

Below link from Comcast's blog talks about this (from Marcien Jenckes, SVP & GM of Comcast's Video Services) http://blog.comcast.com/author/marcien-jenckes/

You'll have an option to submit an email that will supposedly be reviewed by the Comcast Executive staff.  Yesterday afternoon I submitted an email stating my dissatisfaction on this issue.  I also included a link to this thread in their forum and asked that they also review what everyone else is saying about it.  To my surprise at the end of the day I received a call from someone on the Comcast Executive care staff.  It was a young man who very politely explained what we already know and has been stated here numerous times ie, the networks provide the content WITH the ads and Comcast must comply with the networks wishes and if that means disabling the FF function then so be it.

I basically told him he wasn't telling me anything we didn't already know but just because it wasn't Comcast's decision doesn't mean that Comcast should not be pushing back and fighting the networks on this issue on behalf of their paying customers.  He basically just blew me off stating he would make sure the comcast execs got the message but it was pretty clear to me their priority is to just get as much content as they can regardless of the garbage that comes attached with it.  The guy basically told me that Comcast's view of this is that having more shows WITH the ads is better than not having the shows at all.  I told him they should be turning that around on the networks and telling them that people seeing their ads WITH FF enabled is better than not seeing their ads at all.  

I'm sure they are not going to do anything about it so I'm done wasting my time trying to be heard on the issue.  I would urge everyone in this thread to go to that web link and submit your own emails expressing dissatisfaction with your FF being disabled.  Send the link to all your friends and relatives as well and ask them to do the same thing.  If nothing else they'll get a good indication of what their customers really feel about this.  At least a much better indication than they would get from this forum since I doubt anyone in Comcast management even reads this forum let alone their Executive team.               

[ComcastTeds]

Thanks for your feedback.

The link and excerpt I posted is from Comcast's official blog targeted to our customers.

Any of our senior executives can be reached at the following address:

Comcast

One Comcast Center
1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA  19103

You can also reach Mr. Jenckes here: http://blog.comcast.com/author/marcien-jenckes/

Just click on the E-Mail Me link below his photo.

Generally speaking, the more popular that On Demand and online streaming of TV shows becomes, there is a concern from the broadcast and cable networks about taking those eyeballs away from the core product of linear television which is the main business of most of the broadcast and cable networks.

My own thoughts are I think you will see many more networks adopt the FF disabled concept to preserve their business model as their contracts come up for renewal. Most of the shows that have FF disabled were NEW to On Demand and came with that restriction.

A few things that may be helpful:

1. Use the Page Up button on the silver Comcast remote control to skip ahead 5 minutes at a time in an On Demand or DVR program, then rewind.

Page Down will move you back 5 minutes in a On Demand or DVR program.

2. Besides Comcast's own DVR, there are also DVR's available at retail. DVR's are not currently restricted by FF Disable. With a DVR you can record and access all your favorite shows and FF or REW them without any restrictions.   

[ladkid]

ComcastTed.  Thanks for the information and the tips on how to skip ahead / rewind.  I didn't know you could do that and while still not an ideal solution it's better than nothing   

[leopardfeet]

That solution doesn't work in my area (Georgia) and the cost for monthly rental of your DVR is just to costly for me since I like to purchase instead of renting. So I purchased my own DVR and that worked fine for a little bit and then it was changed so that you could only record channels 2-22 or something like that or you have to watch the channel that your recording with your own DVR. I like to watch TV on my own time schedule since I may be doing something else like working,cooking,reading,kid's homework etc. OD used to be real handy since you didn't have to waste about 17 minutes out of an hour show to watch ads, also if you had to come back after the alotted time you could FF to get back where you left off. I just don't know what the networks or Comcast are thinking because most people I know wait for the commercials to do something when were watching the show in real time so why would we sit there and watch them on OD since FF is disabled and I happen to not record a show I still get up when the ads come on and let them play through so what's their point.  

[ladkid]

Most of us know exactly how you feel.  Please let the Comcast Execs know and have as many people as you can let them know.  Unless they hear about this issue in MASS numbers nothing will change:

Any of the Comcast senior executives can be reached at the following address:

Comcast

One Comcast Center 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Philadelphia, PA  19103

You can also reach Mr. Jenckes here: http://blog.comcast.com/author/marcien-jenckes/

Just click on the E-Mail Me link below his photo.

[JamesJJK]

Obvisiouly stated here and known, but for those who can't see well...

[How To] Bypass/Workaround On Demand (VOD) Fast Forward Block w/ 5 Minute Skip Button

https://getsatisfaction.com/cim/topics/_how_to_bypass_workaround_on_demand_vod_fast_forward_block_w_...

[kkrenek99]

I love being able to watch a show I missed on demand regardless of the commercials.  If you don't want to watch the commercial, get up and do something, read a book, whatever.  Who cares, at least we have the option to watch a show whenever we want.  It'd rather watch with commercials, then not at all.  Also notice that an hour long show is only approximately 49 minutes on demand, so the commercials are shorter.  Again, I love my on demand. 

[ladkid]

Who cares about the commercials ?  Well it's pretty obvious by this thread that a lot of us care.  The rest of us like On Demand as much as you do which is why we'd like to have an even better viewing experience by having the OPTION to FF past the commercials. 

[kkrenek99]

I see about 4 or 5 persons posting repeatedly about this issue so I would not say a lot of people care about this issue.  However, I should say that I don't care.  Still love watching on demand, commercials or no, it's not that important....to me.  Looking forward to catching up on Once Upon A Time and Pan Am tonight since I watched The Apprentice last Sunday. 

[Johnd206]

I noticed an increase of commercials when I was watching "parenthood" and "the voice" demand last night. I was not happy to see that all the commercials were included in these shows. When I first started vod it took 42 minutes to watch an hour show. That soon increased to 45 min with the addition of commercials but I could still fast forward through them. Last night Comcast removed the ability to fast forward and added all the comercials so it took 3 hrs to watch them when it used to take 2 hours and 15 minites. Anyone else notice these changes.

[ladkid]

Yes.  It's getting worse all the time with the ads and limiting the FF capability.  As one of the other folks posted above about the only thing you can do is hit the page up button which skips the show ahead by 5 minutes and then hit rewind to go back to where the last advertisement ended.  Royal pain in the behind but that's as good as it gets right now.  I'm sure it won't be long before they also take the 5 minute skip ahead feature away from us as well    

[andyross]

Comcast is crowing about how they are now able to inserts commercials into the middle of VOD streams. So, get used to even more, but at least they may a bit more variable, and include some local ads. I'm not saying that's actually an improvement!!

[dsdbk]

Dear Rick Germano (doubt you'll ever get this)- I cannot believe I cannot fast forward through a show that is On Demand. Sat down after a long day at work to watch the latest episode of the Voice. Cannot fast forward through the commercial (per the warning). On Demand will not be worth anything if you cannot fast forward.
Highly considering switching at this point. What a rip off.
My time is money - and YOU are wasting my time and money.

ON DEMAND - should be ON DEMAND!
You are going to loose customers left and right.

[Johnd206]

Can anyone find a petition online or is Facebook/twitter savvy to start one. In these days of social media we will be heard!

[kdub2012]

i get it - but i watched 40 minutes of the apprentice and the dvr did not bookmark what I watched -   so i am supposed to sit down and watch 40 minutes again because i am not allowed to fast forward?

 that is really really dumb - and the worst part is that nbc is advertising itself – who cares I have a TV guide.