http://apnews.excite.com/article/20041202/D86N8G780.html

TV Networks Shift Times, Run Longer Shows

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Television networks are lending new meaning to time-shifting: TV shows don't necessarily start or end right on the hour or half-hour anymore, screwing up some viewers' video recordings.

More programs are running an extra minute or two longer to keep viewers from switching channels. Shows recently padded include CBS's "Without a Trace," Fox's "Renovate My Family," ABC's "The Bachelor" and NBC's "ER," according to Nielsen Media Research.

The tactic has been used on and off for a few years but has grown more popular as competition in network television stiffens.

As a result of the overruns, people who use VCRs and digital video recorders like TiVos end up clipping the beginning or ending of a show. For some, the time conflict could also prevent a later show from being recorded.

TiVo Inc. (TIVO) officials say they have fielded a small number of complaints about the network time-shifting. This season, the company began advising its 2 million subscribers to watch out for such time conflicts and to adjust their recording settings manually.

Originally posted by Janice
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20041202/D86N8G780.html

TV Networks Shift Times, Run Longer Shows

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Television networks are lending new meaning to time-shifting: TV shows don't necessarily start or end right on the hour or half-hour anymore, screwing up some viewers' video recordings.

More programs are running an extra minute or two longer to keep viewers from switching channels. Shows recently padded include CBS's "Without a Trace," Fox's "Renovate My Family," ABC's "The Bachelor" and NBC's "ER," according to Nielsen Media Research.

The tactic has been used on and off for a few years but has grown more popular as competition in network television stiffens.

As a result of the overruns, people who use VCRs and digital video recorders like TiVos end up clipping the beginning or ending of a show. For some, the time conflict could also prevent a later show from being recorded.

TiVo Inc. (TIVO) officials say they have fielded a small number of complaints about the network time-shifting. This season, the company began advising its 2 million subscribers to watch out for such time conflicts and to adjust their recording settings manually. I've noticed that when ER comes on

ABC did it last night with LOST.

ABC also did it with the Nick and Jessica Christmas crap that aired at 9pm. Wife Swap didn't start until 10:02pm. IT SUCKS!!!!

They also do it with Desperate Housewives, ending at 10:01pm.

Originally posted by Brent88


They also do it with Desperate Housewives, ending at 10:01pm.

So that's why I missed the credits...which is no big deal anyway. I saw that woman get killed...that was enough.

NBC is the worst with this, thanks to their "supersized" shows. As much as I love seeing a "supersized" Friends, I hate how it's not only difficult to gauge how long it runs till, but it also cuts into the next show's runtime, which is a bummer for those fans.

I thought they would have a 40 minute Friends, a 40 minutes Will & Grace, then a 40 minute whatever was next...maybe that isnt what they did.


Anyhow, that really ****s up syndication.

Originally posted by ThirteenInchEscape
Anyhow, that really ****s up syndication. they'll probably just cut them down to 22 minute episodes - who cares if the plot makes any sense, right?

Networks don't care about their viewers anymore.

Originally posted by mr roper
Networks don't care about their viewers anymore.

ohno: Haven't for a long time

Originally posted by robyrob
they'll probably just cut them down to 22 minute episodes - who cares if the plot makes any sense, right?

:rofl:

I've noticed more and more commericals as well. Desperate Housewives last Sunday started good but after the show was half over, commericals starting coming every 5-7 minutes. It was SO annoying. As soon as you got into it again, a commerical came on. :mad: :mad: :mad:

Generally, NBC's supersized episode have been 40 minutes on average, but usually, they're all uneven. The start time for the 8:30pm show has been 8:38 and the 9:30 show at 9:25.

Don't you people remember when TBS used to start their shows at :05 and :35 after the hour, that is exactly why! Just took the other networks longer to figure it out I guess.

Originally posted by Brent88
:rofl:

I've noticed more and more commericals as well. Desperate Housewives last Sunday started good but after the show was half over, commericals starting coming every 5-7 minutes. It was SO annoying. As soon as you got into it again, a commerical came on. :mad: :mad: :mad:

I noticed that, I was really starting to get annoyed and irritated :mad:

Originally posted by theshark8777
Don't you people remember when TBS used to start their shows at :05 and :35 after the hour, that is exactly why! Just took the other networks longer to figure it out I guess.

Yep and I hated that as well. :mad: