Verizon delivers fast-forward-disabled HD VOD content from ABC

My, my -- this is just gross. In an awkwardly positive release, Verizon is gleefully announcing the launch of ABC video-on-demand content on its fiber-based FiOS TV service. Unfortunately, that very content is of the "fast-forward-disabled" variety. If you'll recall, we've seen ABC lock up its VOD content on other carriers before, but we're still dismayed that the suits up there at Disney-ABC Television Group won't provide on demand entertainment that's, you know, on demand. If there's a silver lining, FiOS TV users nationwide will be able to catch all of ABC's hit shows a day after they air in high-definition, which sure beats watching commercials in SD.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 9:52AM]

I may be of the minority, but I will take free with Ads that can't be skipped over pay without any day. Look at hulu. Some people think hulu works because it is on the computer. Frankly, I think that is its weakest link. Hulu works because you can catch up on your shows FOR FREE. And yes, hulu has ads.

So, if ABC doesn't want to lose ad revenue and they force ads on you, that is ok. If you don't like it, "record" it with your DVR.

The whole DVR thing is sort of like napster when it first started. A revolution in the distribution of media, but sort of a cheat. You watch what you want, when you want (well, sort of, but THIS was the revolutionary part), but you get to skip the ads (this is the part that is basically the "stealing" part. Whether you like it or not, that is how these programs are paid for. I like to skip them too, just like I like free music, but without the ad revenue, the shows will dry up).

Lets skip ahead to TV 2.0. Make EVERYTHING available on demand. Come up with some revenue models that make sense.

These might be:

1) Ad supported television (like your ABCs, NBC, etc)
2) Subscription based television (buy a "month pass to all HBO shows for $12", NO ads)

Or some combination. You can pay per show ($2-3 for HD) for NO ads, or you can just watch the ads.

Considering that TV "seems" free, we all get upset when it isn't. I don't like paying for a show I might not like, but that is where ads come in.

The Media companies need to get their heads out of the a** and come up with something that makes sense from a viewers point of view and the $$ point of view (I'll say it again, if everything was free with no way of making money, the shows will not exist, or if they do, the shows themselves will just be one big commercial).

[Spiza Posted Oct 29th 2008 10:14AM]

It my worst Joker voice, "Why so negative?"

[S4Rs Posted Oct 29th 2008 1:32PM]

the problem is why use the VOD which cant fast forward, when you can record the show on your dvr and fast forward through the commercials.

I guess if I had access to everything on ABC, I could see the positive in this.

Even when I watch a show live though, I usually wait till 20 minutes into the show to start it so I can skip the commercials, and i finish at the same time an hour later.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 2:33PM]

I agree with you. I'd rather record it myself and skip the commercials.