Cable networks are speeding up shows to squeeze in more ads

[JordanWearinThe45]

If you're still watching cable, it turns out that channels like TBS and TNT are now speeding up syndicated programs, classics films and other shows by as much as 7 percent. We hadn't noticed it much ourselves, but the trend was spotted by Snopes and others thanks to a YouTube user who compared the same programs aired now and several years ago. A Seinfeld episode that originally ran 25 minutes was nearly 22 after the process, letting the broadcaster fit in about six extra spots. As the WSJ pointed out, ads now run an average of 15.8 minutes per hour on cable, and one unnamed cable exec said that "it's a way to keep the revenue from going down as much as the ratings."

The practice has been prevalent in radio for years, but was technically difficult to achieve in TV until recently due to poor image quality. As we've reported before, cable and premium channels are losing viewership to Netflix and other less aggravating forms of content delivery. In order to make up for the lost revenue, TNT et. al. are speeding up syndicated shows like Seinfeld and Friends in a way that's not too noticeable, letting them fit in a few more ads per half hour.

They're also irritating classic movie lovers by speeding up films like the Wizard of Oz and King Kong (1933), giving the big ape a less menacing growl. The stations might be squeezing out a few more bucks, but as some Redditors pointed out, they're probably turning even more folks away from cable.

http://www.engadget.com/2015/02/19/cable-networks-speeding-up-shows/#continued

 

[beenz]

the greed knows no end.

this is why I am downloading so many tv shows on networks I currently pay for. it's bad enough the on-demand disabled the FF on damn near all shows. now they fill them up with commercials. I just bypass this by downloading all the shows and watching them on PS3 commercial free.

it's 2015, folks ain't gonna put up with being bombarded with commercials on a pay service outside of sports/news content.

 

[Mook]

pretty amazing how out of touch they are.

 

[One4Deuce]

I'm disgusted but I can't be surprised. Cable companies are killing themselves. It's a model that won't continue. They need to recognize that and start attempting to make drastic changes or sell and get out.

 

[Uncle_Ruckus]

Cut cable.

 

[beenz]

I'm disgusted but I can't be surprised. Cable companies are killing themselves. It's a model that won't continue. They need to recognize that and start attempting to make drastic changes or sell and get out.

I fully expect this. a lot of younger folks who don't have kids/families don't even have cable. they just have internet. hell, I'd do the same thing if I lived solo. I dont need all these fukking channels, and I'm savvy enough to know how/where to get any content I want for free without commercials.

 

[Stealth]

the biggest reason why i hate TV. you pay for it yet you gotta sit through hours of advertisements

 

[AnonymityX1000]

I fully expect this. a lot of younger folks who don't have kids/families don't even have cable. they just have internet. hell, I'd do the same thing if I lived solo. I dont need all these fukking channels, and I'm savvy enough to know how/where to get any content I want for free without commercials.

Sports though. That is still a major reason to have cable for me. I didn't have cable for like 6 weeks a couple years ago, it was torture.

 

[One4Deuce]

I fully expect this. a lot of younger folks who don't have kids/families don't even have cable. they just have internet. hell, I'd do the same thing if I lived solo. I dont need all these fukking channels, and I'm savvy enough to know how/where to get any content I want for free without commercials.

I don't have cable, it's an inconvenience once in a while but saving over $100 a month is well worth it. Most any content I really want to watch is pretty easily accessible.

 

[kp404]

Yep, I've noticed this for a couple of years now...it started with cutting intros and credits, then I noticed them speeding up shows because I have them on DVD and I noticed that difference. Capitalists gonna be capitalists, breh

 

[Sensitive Blake Griffin]

FREE MARKET BREHS. LET ITS INVISIBLE HAND RUIN EVERYTHING, ITS FOR THE GOOD OF US ALL.

 

[HookersandIceCream]

TNT and TBS are not cable providers

 

[FlyRy]

it's sad, but there's no reason to watch these edited for tv/5 hours of commercial movies in this on demand/netflix/hulu/download era.

 

[TKOK]

pretty soon they not even gonna let your ff on your dvr

 

[Ricky Church]

I've noticed this bullshyt too.
not necessarily the sped up versions of TV Shows, but I mean showing 6 minutes of the show and having 8 minutes of commercials.