I want a popup blocker for my TV

[JenB]

Is anyone else getting tired of the persistent popups during
TV shows? Food Network is one- DIY is another. I was watching a craft show the other day and suddenly there was a popup "Don't miss Weekend Warrior on Tuesday!" or something like that completely covering the detail they were focusing on in the directions for the craft show. I've watched movies where the subtitles get covered up. Sheesh! Advertise on your own time, not mine!

[GingerPow]

Is anyone else getting tired of the persistent popups during
TV shows? Food Network is one- DIY is another. I was watching a craft show the other day and suddenly there was a popup "Don't miss Weekend Warrior on Tuesday!" or something like that completely covering the detail they were focusing on in the directions for the craft show. I've watched movies where the subtitles get covered up. Sheesh! Advertise on your own time, not mine!
Annoying, isn't it? I was watching "Everybody Loves Raymond" reruns on TBS last week - they literally froze the show, and had a pop-up advertising a new show - whatsit? Bill Engvall, I think? The guy talks for a few seconds, he's done, then the Raymond show resumes. That was weird.

[mrswaz]

Yes! I was watching something on the Travel Channel and they popped in a big promo for a new show starting soon. I missed Tony Bourdain doing something because the pop-up was in the way. Same thing on USA- we were watching an episode of House and missed something because of a pop-up.

[AzAnne]

I wonder if this is the channels way of getting around TiVo's.
It's not a "real" commercial so no way to fast forward thru it.

I almost never watch tv stations that have commercials, but I do like
Tony Bourdain and noticed this happened a couple of times the other night.

[KristiB]

I wonder if this is the channels way of getting around TiVo's.
It's not a "real" commercial so no way to fast forward thru it.



Yep, and now that more and more people are getting DVR's you can expect more sneaky ads.

I've also noticed increased product placement in actual TV shows as well.

[JenB]

I also think it increases the revenue for the network. The popup ads are for the network's own shows leaving the commercial breaks open for the paying advertisers.

[seeteekay]

How funny to see this thread. My husband and I were just watching a movie on tv with subtitles and the same thing. We couldn't even read all the subtitles because of the stupid pop ups.

[boisewinesnob]

Yes and some of them have sound which interferes with whatever they are saying on the show you're trying to watch! :mad:
Stupid!

[KristiB]

HA! I saw the Simpsons movie last night and this was addressed :D :D

[JHaris]

DH and I were watching Bravo yesterday late afternoon and evening (We had done a lot of errands and were just zoning out) and those pop ups were coming fast and furious. It is getting worse by the month. I used to see them only occasionally, but now, all the time!!! And recording to block them isn't the way... the pop ups are recorded too. All it does is totally annoy and I try to block them out of my mind. You would think the advertisers would realize how disturbing it is to the viewers. I wonder what the next advertising ploy is?

[KristiB]

I'm starting to watch more TV on DVD.

[cminmd]

I think Bravo and FX are the two biggest offenders. One of them even has noises play along with the pop up. How annoying.

[SusanMac]

I find them annoying, too. But, it's amazing how quickly consumers acclimate to stuff like this. I'd be totally OK with it if it actually meant fewer traditional 30-second ads. That's definitely not going to be the case,tho

[pbear]

The only way the tv stations will quit with the popups is when we quit buying from the advertisers. There needs to be a movement but no one knows how to get started.
When Lifetime was advertising Army Wives they had a countdown clock. I couldn't believe it. I now find other things to do when the tv is on, I just listen because the popups are so intrusive.
The stations have literally destroyed the enjoyment of watching television.
:mad: :( :confused:

[JHaris]

A great amount of the pop ups that I have seen are advertising for other shows that are coming up either that day or the coming week. It's not just consumer goods, those I would stop buying because of how annoying they are, but constantly telling you about shows is really over the top as far as ignoring them. Maybe, if the various networks would get deluged by mail condemning the pop ups, they might take notice.

[SusanMac]

I don't think boycotting the advertisers would have an impact either. The stations' problem is that the competition is so immensely broad now. They have to take on more advertisers to cover costs/meet profits, and they simultaneously have to push harder for your eyeballs. In fact, it's probably more about getting eyeballs or mindshare.