Why Streaming Video Benefits Advertisers
I am addicted to Glee.
It is not my usual type of show. For one thing, it is popular and first run. Plus, it's about high school. I didn't like high school when I was there. I tuned in the first time for Jane Lynch. She has been one of my favorite comedic actresses since Best in Show. Glee hooked me in by not being pretty about high school, but being a beautiful shiny middle class high school. Plus, the first episode they did Journey. I love Journey.
Rating high enough to get DVR space means something, let me tell you.
The last couple weeks, I've been busy. I haven't kept up with my usual TV watching. Something had to give, so I deleted Glee. I knew I could because Glee is on Hulu.
As a television watcher, I love full episodes online. They are so convenient. My laptop has a bigger screen then my TV when adjusted for how close to it I can sit. I can watch it even when there is a very important sporting event my husband needs to watch.
I find it interesting that some networks are stingy with putting content online. One of my favorite shows, The Big Bang Theory, only offers clips - not even one full episode. The irony being the geekiest show in television can't be watched on the internet.
One reason often sited for not offering full episodes for streaming is fear of losing advertising revenue. Making money on the internet can be a tricky proposition. Networks are scared for the future of their medium. I can understand all of that.
However, watching streaming videos online I have decided they are off base with the worries.
They seem to be forgetting how few television commercials anyone watches these days. As mentioned, I have a DVR. More and more people do. It is the best improvement to the television watching experience since the remote control. I will often record a show while I watch an already recorded show just to avoid watching commercials. When I am watching live TV, I invariably hit the fast forward button on every commercial break.
When watching streaming online television, I have to watch commercials. Hulu includes commercial breaks between 5 seconds and 30 seconds. You can't fast forward through 'em. The message gets across much better then when I am whizzing by ads on DVR. Some of the ads are simply putting the brand in front of the viewer. Some of them are truly amusing. Either way, I'm watching.
This is my first visit here and I just wanted to tell you, you have a very nice blog. I can't comment on the TV programs because I have to watch the commercials. I don't have a DVR.
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I would highly recommend watching tv online as much as possible to avoid such long commercial breaks. Forty-three minutes for an hour show is a much better use of time.
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