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Comment by petepete | Hacker News Reader

It's unsurprising that TV's being hit where it hurts. Even when I (rarely) watch things with ads I go out of my way to be able to fast-forward them.

The last thing I watched 'weekly' was Game of Thrones which in the UK is broadcast on Sky Atlantic. I just record the show when it's aired overnight (simultaneously with the US) and fast forward them at ×30.

If I decide ad hoc to watch a programme now on a commercial channel I just pause it while I make a cup of tea or whatever, giving me enough time to skip the ads. It's a no-brainer.

It was funny when Pru Leith suggested her viewers should do the same[0]

[0] http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-08-22/worried-about-the-...

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I've de-aded my media consumption to such a degree that ads are now actually weird to me. They get my attention solely because I'm so used to not seeing them.

One thing that sticks out: A ton of TV advertising is the same ads that were running when I was a kid. Not all of it, but a lot more than I'd expect. Anyone else notice this?

When is "when you were a kid?"

For me, seeing a 1980s ad is pretty funny. At least I had the excuse that I was a kid.

(Though I recall even in the 90s thinking the whole "EXTREME!" thing was stupid. I think that may have been a pretty egregious case of geographic parochialness; surfer culture may seem totally radical when you're in Hollywood, with easy access to the beach almost year-round, but for anywhere else in the country who either doesn't live so far south, doesn't live near a surfable beach, or doesn't have the cash to fund such an expensive hobby, it was much less compelling.)

Ah fair point, should've been more specific. I was a kiddo in the late 90's. I was surprised how many of the ads, especially for things like those Life Alert buttons, were completely unchanged.

Also I can't help but notice that 7/8ths of what's advertised on TV is for seniors.

Yes, that makes sense. While the initial thought might be "why change what works" my thought is that the whole operation strikes me as one that is just barely making enough to run the ads at all, rather than some sort of well-funded enterprise that is just not making new ads.

I dunno about that, caring for the elderly is a pretty booming business right now with the Baby Boom generation hitting their stride into the silver years.

Frankly though they should really update it, some of the footage from their call centers shows people working at dual CRT desks with software that looks like it's straight out of War Games. If I was shopping for something for my mother, I'd want their service at LEAST running Windows 7.

radical!

The radio times has an anti-adblocker modal over this article. The irony is palpable.

I'm not getting that, what are you using? I'm using uBlock Origin. I wonder how those work, if they detect extensions or what

I didn't see anything, using uBlock Origin.

> I just record the show when it's aired overnight (simultaneously with the US) and fast forward them at ×30

I'm in the same boat and do something similar. The only thing I really watch "live" are sports. English Football on the weekends, Hockey during the week. Any show I want to watch, I'll record it so I can focus on the substance of the show and fast forward through the commercials. This allows me to watch an hour show in roughly 40 minutes.

Yes, same. My subscription is mainly for Football, and when it's half time it's usually an excuse to go for a wander, take the bins out or put the kettle on.

I watched Game of Thrones using HBO Go. I was able to watch it as soon as it aired for like $20 for the season. Money well spent.

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