Would you be a in favor of a law limiting commercial time on television stations? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

LUNCH · 02-14-2011, 02:25 PM

As most already know,for many years it was unheard of for a tv show to have more than 5 minutes of commercials per half hour.Thats why tv shows made during the 1950s through 70s ran 25-26 minutes per half hour.The tv industry used to control the amount of ads and there were other regulatory measures as well.---Nowadays tv stations are pushing almost as many ads as tv show in many cases,plus editing ending credits etc. etc.You guys and gals know the deal.---Anyhow would you be in favor of a law limiting the amount of ads allowed?

old grouch · 02-14-2011, 02:35 PM

I'm in favor of networks limiting commercial time, but I don't neccessarily think that they should make it a law.

LUNCH · 02-14-2011, 02:48 PM

But the networks/tv stations won't limit commercial time.That's why I'm in favor of some type of law/measures etc. that limit commercial time to no more than 5-6 minutes per half hour.And such things as editing the ending credits,pop-ups etc. should be banned.---And of course it would not be a new thing because in the past the amount/content of ads was controlled.

Regulus · 02-14-2011, 03:13 PM

There actually is a Law on the books that LIMITS the amount of Commercials to 10 Minutes per Hour on weekdays and 12 Minutes per Hour on Weekends, but there's a Problem. It only applies TO CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING.

Therefore I'd like to see this Law AMENDED so that it applies to ALL PROGRAMMING.

There's one other thing I'd like to see done as well. I'd like to see the "V-Chip" Law AMENDED so that it applies to Commercials as well as Programs. Many Advertisers do not seem to care WHO is in front of the TV whenever their Ads are playing. The Medical Companies are among the biggest offenders. Prescription Drug Commercials for all kinds of "Bodily Functions", including Sex, are played at all times of the day. During some Weekend Afternoon Sporting Events one cannot go 15 minutes without seeing one of these ads, and there is absolutely NO indication that they are about to come on. Parents have to CRINGE whenever a program their Kids are watching goes to a Commercial Break (I have even seen these Commercials aired during Children's Programs, which is why I "Cut the Cord", cancelling my Cable Subscription a little over four years ago). These kinds of Commercials may have their place, but not whenever Children are watching. Parent's have control over what Programs their Children watch, they should also have control over what Commercials their Children see.

LUNCH · 02-14-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulus

There actually is a Law on the books that LIMITS the amount of Commercials to 10 Minutes per Hour on weekdays and 12 Minutes per Hour on Weekends, but there's a Problem. It only applies TO CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING.

Therefore I'd like to see this Law AMENDED so that it applies to ALL PROGRAMMING.

Yes,that would be a good idea.However for various reasons I don't see it happenning.Afterall it would benefit the viewers.It would improve television in general.It would put a stop to what most stations have basically become, nothing more than 'commercial pushers'.Heck,alot of classic tv shows have been taken off the air because it's much harder to edit a 26 minute show into a half hour time period and put in 12+ minutes of commercials. ---And all the types of ads you mentioned used to be banned from US television.It is rediculous that they lifted that good ban.

AKA · 02-20-2011, 05:38 PM

I would definitely be in favor of such a law. The broadcast stations broadcast on federally-regulated frequencies, so I don't think it would be out-of-hand for the FCC to pass a law limiting commercial time to around 5 minutes per half-hour.

TeeVeeCloset · 02-20-2011, 07:38 PM

Please lets not start a politics conversation here, but it all started under the Reagan Administration when he and the FCC deregulated commercial time, television is very complex and once the 7-8PM primetime access rules changed, television began to change as well. Hence the infomercial was born along with the death of independent TV stations began along with programming choices and classic reruns started to vanish. Before the law changed, stations were not allowed to run a 30 minute advertisment, that is what a informercial is, most of them (some are) are not paid for as stated in the disclaimer at the beginning and end of each "paid program", they and the two minute filler commercials selling all sorts of gadgets are known as PI sales, meaning "per inquiry"...the station takes available time, which b4 the early 80's I love Lucy could have been shown, now every station gambles that someone will buy the product, the station then gets a part of the profit from the sale....so if you are going to limit commercial time in programs, it is more complicated than that when it comes to when the program is also a commercial.

Cable is under different laws, but network commercial time is regulated by the FCC, 45 minutes of program content per hour...yes about every 10 years 2 minutes of extra commercial time has been granted, network affliates must also get their "local" advertising insert time. That is why you will begin (it has already started on some talk shows like "The View") to see sponsors or product placement start to return to television as in the 50's when the star does some type of commercial endorsement within the program because we are now in the age of "time shifting" and we get our programming through our phones even....so the networks have to keep up with creative ways to keep the commercials in.

The sad fact is people have always been under the assumption that televison exsits for the programs when it has always been exactly the opposite, it exsists for the commericials and the program is just an excuse for you to turn the set on. That is why when the cable boom started also in the early 80's, people paid for non-regulated TV like HBO which is still not under FCC guidelines, hence george carlins 7 dirty words and nudity entered the home. People pay to go to the movies, but we are still subjected to commercials before the trailers and also they are on our paid for DVD's.

Finally its like trying to limit the number of spam email you get each day or the pop-ups on your favorite website, yes there are "blockers" for both, but television was created like most things to make money. Hence sweeps...lol.....

Regulus · 02-20-2011, 09:57 PM

A LOT of people I have talked to are asking theirselves (As I did a few years ago) WHY are they paying $80-120 a Month in order to watch Commercial-INFESTED Programming. I was visiting someone House when a Family Member actually shouted out an Expletive, he got frustrated while "Surfing" and he had the misfortune of hitting a Commercial EVERY TIME he changed Channels. Some are turning to services such as Netflix or Redbox to get their programming, while others are considering doing the same thing I have done for the last four years. switching entirily to DVDs. Last Year, for the first time in History, The Pay-TV Industry recorded a DECLINE in Subscribers, IMO I feel this is a Backlash to the insane amounts of Advertising that is tossed in our faces during each show. It will be interesting to see if this trend will continue during this year. NOBODY I know has said anything good about Television Programming lately, and have you ever heard of any other Company continuing to remain in Business while continuing to raise prices and lower quality? Whenever times are tough people will not support something they perceive is not giving them their money's worth, and we are in such times right now.

James · 02-21-2011, 05:58 PM

While I think limits on the number of commercials would be an improvement, I do not think it should be dictated by "Big Government."

Personally I would rather see the commercials appear as still pictures for a fraction of a second before going back to the show instead of take up entire blocks of 30 seconds to one minute since we have become such an instant gratification society.

jimpickens · 02-21-2011, 11:41 PM

Absolutely I would support such a rule in fact I'd go even further by restricting commercials to in between programs.

LUNCH · 02-23-2011, 01:30 PM

Limiting commercial time would also be good for advertisers too,maybe more people would actually view the commercials,afterall alot of people 'used' to actually watch commercials.In my opinion,one reason things like the DVR player etc. have become so popular is not because of advertising,but because of OVER-advertising.

LUNCH · 02-23-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulus

A LOT of people I have talked to are asking theirselves (As I did a few years ago) WHY are they paying $80-120 a Month in order to watch Commercial-INFESTED Programming.

Yep,in the US alot of people pay for commercials.How crazy is that!!!You know in the UK for example, people pay for television also,via a television licence,which by the way costs a fraction of an average cable/satellite bill.The difference is in the UK the BBC stations have no commercials,and of course alot of quality programming.

Regulus · 02-23-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

Limiting commercial time would also be good for advertisers too,maybe more people would actually view the commercials,afterall alot of people 'used' to actually watch commercials.In my opinion,one reason things like the DVR player etc. have become so popular is not because of advertising,but because of OVER-advertising.

You hit the nail on the head! I cannot fathom WHY some Advertisers thing their ad needs to be seen during EVERY COMMERCIAL BREAK! (Multiple times during that break as well!) Does that entice me to go out and purchase that product? Nope! IT HAS THE EXACT OPPOSITE! There are legions of Companies I will not have anything to do with until a certain Infernal Region freezes over because they advertise too much (and obnoxiously at that!)

factsoflife · 02-23-2011, 07:54 PM

I would 100% OPPOSE such a law. Advertisers need to make money, they need to sell their product, there is NOTHING WRONG with that. If you don't like seeing an advertisement than you have a choice; TURN OFF THE TV or CHANGE THE CHANNEL.

As for this "protect the kids" argument, i feel that is so outdated and pointless. Kids today are much wiser, much smarter than in the past and they can certainly handle a 30-second TV ad for medication without becoming sexually obsessed perverts. Seriously, what do parents think is going to happen? all of a sudden every kid in America is going to become engaged in perverse adult activities because of an ad they saw on TV? If it was that easy it would have happened a long time ago.

I think that commercials have their time and place and people need to stop being so prude; seriously you need to buy products to survive in our culture, you need to know what products are out there, so commercials are vital. Seriously, I've never understood why people hate ads so much; I personally love watching commercials. I only wish they were more creatively entertaining than they currently are, they used to be enjoyable to watch; but now they are a bit boring.

Regulus · 02-23-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factsoflife

Seriously, I've never understood why people hate ads so much; I personally love watching commercials. I only wish they were more creatively entertaining than they currently are, they used to be enjoyable to watch; but now they are a bit boring.

You've answered your own question!

Commercials today are, for the most part lame, Boring or Obnoxious. AND THERE ARE MORE OF THEM THAN EVER BEFORE!

Watch a DVD of a TV Show made in the 1960s. For example Route 66. Most episodes run about 52 Minutes in length, from Opening Theme to Credits. This means there were 8 minutes of Commercials run during the Program. Run a DVD of one of TODAYS TV Shows and it will run 38-42 Minutes in length. The Number of Commercials have MORE THAN DOUBLED! Is it any wonder people have resorted to recording a Program BEFORE they watch it, so they can skip the Ads, or have turned to DVDs and other sources for their Entertainment? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Rating the Commercials could actually result in the number of Commercials made to actually INCREASE, IF it is done properly. A "V-Chip" Box could be attached to a TV Set. This Box would be ADDRESSABLE. It would emit a Signal saying what setting it is at, and the Station would send the appropiately-rated Ad to the set. (For example a Prescription Drug Commercial to a "TV-MA" Set and a Toy Commercial to a "TV-Y" Set. A Network could run several Commercials SIMALTANIOUSLY, covering the Spectrum from TV-Y to TV-MA, sending the Appropiate Ad to the Appropiate Set. It wouldn't be long before Advertisers (and the Networks) could determine what kinds of Commercials are watched the most, and these kinds of Ads could be priced accordingly.

You mentioned Advertisers need to make Money. Advertising Prices are set the same way any other Good or Service is, by Supply and Demand. Right now, as far as Consumers are concerned, the Supply of Commercials is HIGH, while the Demand for them is LOW. If you want to make more Money, you'll need to increase the Demand, this is done by LOWERING THE SUPPLY. Lower Supply increases the Demand, which boosts Prices. Reducing the Number of Ads will also result in less people recording programs so they can skip the Commercials, because the breaks won't be as long (I've seen breaks as long as EIGHT MINUTES!)

So if you want to make more Money (and increase the number of viewers watching your ads, LOWER THE NUMBERS!

02-14-2011, 02:25 PM	#1
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Would you be a in favor of a law limiting commercial time on television stations? As most already know,for many years it was unheard of for a tv show to have more than 5 minutes of commercials per half hour.Thats why tv shows made during the 1950s through 70s ran 25-26 minutes per half hour.The tv industry used to control the amount of ads and there were other regulatory measures as well.---Nowadays tv stations are pushing almost as many ads as tv show in many cases,plus editing ending credits etc. etc.You guys and gals know the deal.---Anyhow would you be in favor of a law limiting the amount of ads allowed?

02-14-2011, 02:48 PM	#3
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	But the networks/tv stations won't limit commercial time.That's why I'm in favor of some type of law/measures etc. that limit commercial time to no more than 5-6 minutes per half hour.And such things as editing the ending credits,pop-ups etc. should be banned.---And of course it would not be a new thing because in the past the amount/content of ads was controlled.
	Last edited by LUNCH; 02-14-2011 at 07:00 PM.

02-20-2011, 07:38 PM	#7
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	Please lets not start a politics conversation here, but it all started under the Reagan Administration when he and the FCC deregulated commercial time, television is very complex and once the 7-8PM primetime access rules changed, television began to change as well. Hence the infomercial was born along with the death of independent TV stations began along with programming choices and classic reruns started to vanish. Before the law changed, stations were not allowed to run a 30 minute advertisment, that is what a informercial is, most of them (some are) are not paid for as stated in the disclaimer at the beginning and end of each "paid program", they and the two minute filler commercials selling all sorts of gadgets are known as PI sales, meaning "per inquiry"...the station takes available time, which b4 the early 80's I love Lucy could have been shown, now every station gambles that someone will buy the product, the station then gets a part of the profit from the sale....so if you are going to limit commercial time in programs, it is more complicated than that when it comes to when the program is also a commercial. Cable is under different laws, but network commercial time is regulated by the FCC, 45 minutes of program content per hour...yes about every 10 years 2 minutes of extra commercial time has been granted, network affliates must also get their "local" advertising insert time. That is why you will begin (it has already started on some talk shows like "The View") to see sponsors or product placement start to return to television as in the 50's when the star does some type of commercial endorsement within the program because we are now in the age of "time shifting" and we get our programming through our phones even....so the networks have to keep up with creative ways to keep the commercials in. The sad fact is people have always been under the assumption that televison exsits for the programs when it has always been exactly the opposite, it exsists for the commericials and the program is just an excuse for you to turn the set on. That is why when the cable boom started also in the early 80's, people paid for non-regulated TV like HBO which is still not under FCC guidelines, hence george carlins 7 dirty words and nudity entered the home. People pay to go to the movies, but we are still subjected to commercials before the trailers and also they are on our paid for DVD's. Finally its like trying to limit the number of spam email you get each day or the pop-ups on your favorite website, yes there are "blockers" for both, but television was created like most things to make money. Hence sweeps...lol.....
	__________________ Living near "Ozzie Nelson Drive"..... Last edited by TeeVeeCloset; 02-20-2011 at 08:15 PM.

02-23-2011, 07:54 PM	#14
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,744	I would 100% OPPOSE such a law. Advertisers need to make money, they need to sell their product, there is NOTHING WRONG with that. If you don't like seeing an advertisement than you have a choice; TURN OFF THE TV or CHANGE THE CHANNEL. As for this "protect the kids" argument, i feel that is so outdated and pointless. Kids today are much wiser, much smarter than in the past and they can certainly handle a 30-second TV ad for medication without becoming sexually obsessed perverts. Seriously, what do parents think is going to happen? all of a sudden every kid in America is going to become engaged in perverse adult activities because of an ad they saw on TV? If it was that easy it would have happened a long time ago. I think that commercials have their time and place and people need to stop being so prude; seriously you need to buy products to survive in our culture, you need to know what products are out there, so commercials are vital. Seriously, I've never understood why people hate ads so much; I personally love watching commercials. I only wish they were more creatively entertaining than they currently are, they used to be enjoyable to watch; but now they are a bit boring.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

02-14-2011, 02:35 PM	#2
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	I'm in favor of networks limiting commercial time, but I don't neccessarily think that they should make it a law.

02-14-2011, 03:13 PM	#4
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	There actually is a Law on the books that LIMITS the amount of Commercials to 10 Minutes per Hour on weekdays and 12 Minutes per Hour on Weekends, but there's a Problem. It only applies TO CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING. Therefore I'd like to see this Law AMENDED so that it applies to ALL PROGRAMMING. There's one other thing I'd like to see done as well. I'd like to see the "V-Chip" Law AMENDED so that it applies to Commercials as well as Programs. Many Advertisers do not seem to care WHO is in front of the TV whenever their Ads are playing. The Medical Companies are among the biggest offenders. Prescription Drug Commercials for all kinds of "Bodily Functions", including Sex, are played at all times of the day. During some Weekend Afternoon Sporting Events one cannot go 15 minutes without seeing one of these ads, and there is absolutely NO indication that they are about to come on. Parents have to CRINGE whenever a program their Kids are watching goes to a Commercial Break (I have even seen these Commercials aired during Children's Programs, which is why I "Cut the Cord", cancelling my Cable Subscription a little over four years ago). These kinds of Commercials may have their place, but not whenever Children are watching. Parent's have control over what Programs their Children watch, they should also have control over what Commercials their Children see.

02-20-2011, 05:38 PM	#6
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	I would definitely be in favor of such a law. The broadcast stations broadcast on federally-regulated frequencies, so I don't think it would be out-of-hand for the FCC to pass a law limiting commercial time to around 5 minutes per half-hour.

02-20-2011, 09:57 PM	#8
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	A LOT of people I have talked to are asking theirselves (As I did a few years ago) WHY are they paying $80-120 a Month in order to watch Commercial-INFESTED Programming. I was visiting someone House when a Family Member actually shouted out an Expletive, he got frustrated while "Surfing" and he had the misfortune of hitting a Commercial EVERY TIME he changed Channels. Some are turning to services such as Netflix or Redbox to get their programming, while others are considering doing the same thing I have done for the last four years. switching entirily to DVDs. Last Year, for the first time in History, The Pay-TV Industry recorded a DECLINE in Subscribers, IMO I feel this is a Backlash to the insane amounts of Advertising that is tossed in our faces during each show. It will be interesting to see if this trend will continue during this year. NOBODY I know has said anything good about Television Programming lately, and have you ever heard of any other Company continuing to remain in Business while continuing to raise prices and lower quality? Whenever times are tough people will not support something they perceive is not giving them their money's worth, and we are in such times right now.

02-21-2011, 05:58 PM	#9
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	While I think limits on the number of commercials would be an improvement, I do not think it should be dictated by "Big Government." Personally I would rather see the commercials appear as still pictures for a fraction of a second before going back to the show instead of take up entire blocks of 30 seconds to one minute since we have become such an instant gratification society.

02-21-2011, 11:41 PM	#10
jimpickens Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2007 Location: weston,wv Posts: 1,389	Absolutely I would support such a rule in fact I'd go even further by restricting commercials to in between programs.

02-23-2011, 01:30 PM	#11
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Limiting commercial time would also be good for advertisers too,maybe more people would actually view the commercials,afterall alot of people 'used' to actually watch commercials.In my opinion,one reason things like the DVR player etc. have become so popular is not because of advertising,but because of OVER-advertising.