As a service to viewers, the next generation of TV networks and distributors should help viewers delete more of their recorded programming -- especially those short-lived series with limited
entertainment or marketing value.
Apple has done something like this by automatically giving iTunes users a way to delete the free U2 album they received. After countless iTunes users
complained about the promotion, Apple added an “opt-out” option to remove the album from libraries.
TV doesn’t work the same way as music. Networks don’t automatically
download or record their shows to viewers’ time-shifting technologies. But maybe someday they will start a “push” service of ill-repute.
Viewers’ efforts are minimal.
The cost factor for dealing with a chancy new comedy, drama, or reality show is only the time it takes to download -- and the slightly longer time it takes to figure out whether you like the show
while watching it.
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We all know there is a lot of junk in TVland. You sample a show and then some five or ten minutes in, you find yourself witnessing some grunts, groans, and shaking of heads
from those in your viewing room.
Doesn’t TV know how you feel by now? This is the digital neuro-behavorial-TV/media age, no?
Many lame shows might be sitting in your
time-shifting list right now -- gathering dust. A cleaning service is needed. Producers, advertisers, and all others who put much faith in specific shows should be rightly worried.
Sorry.
But new digital media waits for no one; TV networks and distributors need better organization. Some things work well. My VOD list, for example, will “expire” some content
after a specific time period.
Right now media is perhaps more diverse, more pervasive than ever before -- and more disposable.
We need tools not only to get what we want quickly
-- but for someone to take out the entertainment trash.