New venue for commericals

[fortmill]

What was predicted a year or so ago has happened, at least here in Charlotte.  I was watching the conclusion of Girlfriends (syndicated repeat) on WJZY/46.  As the closing credits started, they were quickly reduced to a very small window as a commercial for a local business began.  Of course, ending credits have long been windowed for news and program pre-views but this has taken the practice to a new (lower) level.  Later, on the same channel, a silent commercial ad popped up right in the middle of another regular program.  And they wonder why so many people are so fed up with TV.....     

[nuzguy]

Exactly.  All the TV outlets have filled programming to the max with commercials, and now they are starting to work over the credits.  Thing is, programmers think no one notices.  Problem is, EVERYONE notices.

[Mark]

I agree that that is a bit (to put it mildly much) but I don't think the young people that advertisers want notice. For instance, I almost never notice the "bugs" networks and TV station put in the lower right hand corner

The most in your face advertising I DO notice is the TV monitors and commercials when I stand in line at Jewel (owned by Albertson's).

As kids grow up, they will be used to the in-your-face, advertising so it won't effect them at all.

Like I hate cell phones but evidently I'm the only one who does

[Corky Marlowe]

This trend is essentially a more crass, ham-handed version of what was done regularly in the early days of TV. If you ever see old episodes of "What's My Line?" or "I've Got A Secret" (on YouTube--good luck finding them on the Game Show Network), the show's sponsor is prominently displayed in front of where the panel sits. Same with the Dodge or Geritol logos above the orchestra on Lawrence Welk. Sponsors were also incorporated in the closing credits of many sitcoms and dramas (Dick Van Whatzismane, The Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith, and more)...In fact, the reason the original opening animation sequences on "I Love Lucy" weren't shown for years until TV Land revived them was because they included sponsor logos. Everyone has seen the Fred and Barney cigarette commercial...it was a very common practice until as late as the early 70's for castmembers of tv shows to actually do commercials during the show.  Could you imagine Grissom, Sara and Nick talking about how when they have to pull an all-nighter in the lab, they always brew a fresh pot of Maxwell House Coffee? Or Earl reminiscing that back when he still robbed convenience stores, he always made sure to grab a handful of Slim Jims?

[azumanga]

Later, on the same channel, a silent commercial ad popped up right in the middle of another regular program.

When you mean by "middle", do you mean in a corner of the screen, on the side, or, God forbid, actually right in the middle of the screen?

Considering that Capitol Broadcasting (the owners of Raleigh's WRAL-TV) owns WJZY, I though they would know better than do cheap shots like this.

[Pat Cook]

Hi everyone:

Exactly.  All the TV outlets have filled programming to the max with commercials, and now they are starting to work over the credits.  Thing is, programmers think no one notices.  Problem is, EVERYONE notices.

A CLASSIC example of this are the 24 reruns on A&E every Mon-Fri Afternoon.  I mean, apparently to them, it's not enough that we get promos for their DUMB & STUPID so-called "Reality" TV shows (Though Dog: The Bounty Hunter is pretty good) throughout the show.  They feel they have to add YET ANOTHER promo at the end of the show.

Why can't they just do what Court TV does when in transition between programs by just simply starting Crossing Jordan as the credits for 24 are rolling, using a split screen (One for each show)?  It can't be THAT hard, can it? :huh:

Just my $.02 worth

Cheers