online TV

"Hey, have you seen that commercial?"

How many times have you been asked that question? How many times have you asked that question?

It is pretty scary how much 30 second advertisements have infiltrated our lives and our culture. Some are clever, some are annoying and some you simply can't get out of your head.

Let me give you a piece of advice. If you are in the midst of casual conversation with me...don't ask me about commercials anymore. It's not that I find them offensive or something (although, when you think about it, maybe...). I just don't ever see them anymore.

And I don't miss them.

One of the reasons we wanted to get TiVo was so that we could avoid watching live TV. I mean, we never watch live TV. When I flop down on the couch. I don't flip through the channels...I scroll through our playlist.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who is avoiding commercials. The networks are feeling a hit and are trying to find alternative methods of force-feeding us advertising. One of the more creative ideas to come down the pike is ABC's new "full episode streaming." As of yesterday, you can now watch full episodes of four of ABC's most popular programs (Desperate Housewives, Lost, Alias, and Commander in Chief) anytime you want for free.

So what's the catch? You have to watch commercials. They are using the term "limited commercials." Basically, every commercial break is one 30 second commerical that ends with a clickable banner ad.

That's cool. Although I won't really need to use it.

Thanks TiVo.