Loud commercials

[Shellhead]

I have long accepted commercials as a necessary evil with network television. We get to watch the show for free, but deal with the commercials. In the old days, people would get up and get a snack, or talk with other people in the room during commercials. These days, people channel surf or even use TiVo-type stuff to skip the commercials entirely.

A few years back, the networks retaliated, ineffectually in my opinion, by cranking up the volume on the commercials. I don't have a way to measure decibels at home, I just know that the commercials are significantly louder.

I hate this, because it only punishes those people who aren't bypassing the commercials entirely. The loudness does disrupt those who try to talk during the commercials, but it otherwise encourages people to grab the remote and switch channels, or else otherwise mute the volume. At any rate, loud commercials don't help advertise the products and services they tout. Why can't the networks understand that the viewers already had the volume right where they wanted it while watching their shows? Nobody wants to be yelled at by greedy pitchmen, we're in our living rooms, not at the carnival.

[Rachel Grey]

You dare to try holding a conversation during one of our sacred comercials?!

SINNER!!!!

[Asmith]

I read about these louder commercials in New Scientist a few years back. Now I'm going to get this all screwed up because I can't really remember the article that well, but supposedly the commercials aren't actually louder as far as decibles are concerned. They're broadcast at the same decible level as the tv shows they are wedged between. However they are broadcast at a tighter frequency (or something) which gives the impression that they're louder.

Since the end result for the viewer is pretty much the same either way, I'm not too sure what that matters. But thought it was interesting that the louder commercials weren't actually louder at all.

[Wild Card]

Yeah I notice the ads being louder than the shows way back in the late 80's.

[saintjon]

Down with loud commercials. And let's get rid of the goddamn ambulance chaser law firm ads entirely.

[Paradox]

Try the '60s. And if we've got anyone that was watching TV in the '50s, they'll probably tell you the same thing. They've ALWAYS done this. I notice most when I'm NOT watching the TV. If I'm up puttering around doing something else, and I catch myself noticing the TV, it's ALWAYS a commercial. It's annoying, but, if their goal is to make you notice them, I can't say it doesn't work.

[davids]

One the cbs late show or late late show they would anounce be kind to your neighbors a lower the volume please. Impprtant since most tv sets were in the city, most people lived in apts.

There was also a late late late show and a early show around 4:30 all played movies from the thirties and 40ths. some really great old time movies.

first show of the day was the farm report, soy beans a 2 dollars a bushel, hog stomachs going for 50 cents a pound. Corn should be planted this week.
All important news for a 4 year old watching tv 5 am in brooklyn.

Next came your goverment films, army core of enginers, spraying dtd in a mississippi swamp.

Then of couse How to fiels strip and oil your M1 garand rifle!

The golden age of tV.

[mgs]

I hate suddenly loud commercials!
I read about these louder commercials in New Scientist a few years back. Now I'm going to get this all screwed up because I can't really remember the article that well, but supposedly the commercials aren't actually louder as far as decibles are concerned. They're broadcast at the same decible level as the tv shows they are wedged between. However they are broadcast at a tighter frequency (or something) which gives the impression that they're louder.

Since the end result for the viewer is pretty much the same either way, I'm not too sure what that matters. But thought it was interesting that the louder commercials weren't actually louder at all.
oh! thanks for the intersting ideas asmith! :)