CBS is now beginning to do popup ads on HD. During tonight's episode of "Dexter", an ad for Showtime appeared on the screen. This ad was not on HD last week, only the SD feed.

On the first HD "Price Is Right" last Friday, several ads also appeared on the HD feed. CBS also had similar ads during the Grammys a few weeks back.

The ads appear to be 4:3 safe and the network recently moved the HD bug over to the right a bit.

What gives, CBS? Are you beginning to take the same, unpopular route as NBC and several cable networks?

CBS seemed to be refraining from in show ads during first runs. Maybe they declared a free for all?

A good idea (good from the perspective of the business) by one network will eventually be picked up and used by all networks.

They figured out how to technologically do it, so now they will do it.

A good idea (good from the perspective of the business) by one network will eventually be picked up and used by all networks.If CBS begins running a constant advertizing bug/logo they will become the second network I no longer watch...


ron

They figured out how to technologically do it, so now they will do it.

The tech has been there for quite some time for all networks to be able to do this. Some are choosing to utilize it now. ;)

Since it's been announced that CBS is moving to a single HD delivery system for network distribution I would expect the SD level of clutter to transition to HD. This is bad for OTA network TV. Maybe their long term plans are VOD and premium cable channels which eliminates the affiliate middleman.

It doesn't seem that long ago when I thought just a bug was intrusive, now I would be happy if that was the only thing that was added.

So, the Tiffany Network is headed for the isles of WalMart eh?

I always liked the fact that CBS seemed to be the one network that did everything right, at least from a viewer's point of view. I guess those days are gone.

"HD - the ultimate in visual and audio quality for television, and oh yeah, don't forget all those popup adverts that cover anywhere from 5-30% of the screen" :D

If CBS begins running a constant advertizing bug/logo they will become the second network I no longer watch... So their ratings will go from X to --- uh -- X. :cool: That's really the point: This is evidently not affecting ratings of one network over the other, at least not negatively.

The tech has been there for quite some time for all networks to be able to do this. Some are choosing to utilize it now. ;)I know, but CBS has not had the ability to do it. Now they do. NBC had the technology already and that's why they've been doing it. When other networks figure out how to do it, they will do it as well.

I think ja2bk's point was that CBS did have the ability to do it before now. They simply decided to start doing it now. (And I suspect they've made that decision because they realize that there is a lot to be gained and not much to lose.)

I think ja2bk's point was that CBS did have the ability to do it before now. They simply decided to start doing it now. (And I suspect they've made that decision because they realize that there is a lot to be gained and not much to lose.)I will agree that yes, they could have done it before, if they had spent the money to put the technology in place. My point was that they did not have the technology in place, and now they do.

I will agree that yes, they could have done it before, if they had spent the money to put the technology in place. My point was that they did not have the technology in place, and now they do.

Actually you are not quite understanding my statement. As long as CBS has been able to have a bug on their HD feed, the tech was there. The same device that can do that bug can do animations for most networks. Some choose to utilize a device at the station level which does it. But, the network could have always done it in HD. They are only now choosing to utilize one of the two methods. Maybe even both.

If CBS begins running a constant advertizing bug/logo they will become the second network I no longer watch...


ron

well if you download the shows, a lot of time if it was recoeded from Canada or the UK there wont be this crap on there

but that would be wrong, right? I say NO because all I want is the show no adds no matter what ever. PERIOD.

its not like I am a neilsons person and I dont buy anything I see on TV just because I say it on TV, so really no one is loosing or making money from me that is

I think the reason NBC was cluttering HD first is that they have been using a single delivery system internally with downconversion for the SD. CBS has announced their intention of dropping their SD network, so they appear to be gearing up for that transition. This is going to be the approach that every network will use eventually. Unless there is definitive proof to the powers that be that this practice is counter-productive for increasing viewership, it's bound to get worse. Peanuts brought back Jericho, maybe boxes of bull manure should be sent for eliminating the clutter.

I think the reason NBC was cluttering HD first is that they have been using a single delivery system internally with downconversion for the SD.

That may be, but the bugs and crap are outside the 4:3 safe area. The HD bug and the SD bug are different, so that mean two separate DSK systems.

CBS has announced their intention of dropping their SD network, so they appear to be gearing up for that transition.

The announcement of SD dropping is no big surprise. SD is going away about a year from now, so why keep delivering a SD feed?

Peanuts brought back Jericho, maybe boxes of bull manure should be sent for eliminating the clutter.

Hey, I like that idea. Lots of bull-crap here in Wisconsin :D I'll be happy to let the network idiots have a lot of it!

I actually like the NBC method(other than the advertisements). All networks should letterbox the SD feed. That way the logos are to the right, not 4:3 safe like the CW. Also, pop up ads should be minimized and reduced in size.

Hey, I like that idea. Lots of bull-crap here in Wisconsin :D I'll be happy to let the network idiots have a lot of it!And to the extent that it doesn't happen sufficiently to get significant publicity from mainstream media, you can take as a sign that not-enough people care enough about it.

An ad bug in the lower right corner for Two and a Half Men on Cold Case.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2339416266_89b8824c69_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2339416030_4cd707c54e_o.jpg

Self-promoting their own programming does not generate revenue for the station. People watch programs to escape reality. Self-promotions and interruptions during programs kills the viewer experience. People hate pop up ads on the internet. What makes network executives think that people would like pop up ads during programs? This is only the first step to inserting product ads during programs which, they are already starting to do. The viewers who don't care are either blind or just plain stupid.

Gggggrrrrrreeeeeaaaaaaaaatttttttttt.

I thought CBS had enough class not to do this.

An ad bug in the lower right corner for Two and a Half Men on Cold Case.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2339416266_89b8824c69_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2339416030_4cd707c54e_o.jpg


I don't recall seeing this bug on the HD feed.

The traditional commercials must be still generating revenue for the nets, because they seem to be increasing. I refuse to watch pre-recorded, scripted programming real-time, because I rely on the commercial-skip on my HTPC DVR to keep my sanity.

I don't recall seeing this bug on the HD feed.

So far CBS has taken the same route as ABC, only putting ad-bugs on the SD feed. Although CBS has done popups on HD programming, but it has been minimal. I've only seen it on "The Price Is Right" in primetime and the Showtime ads on "Dexter".

It really pains me to say this, but CBS's ad is not as bad as the other networks. At least it's not at NBC, ABC or CW level... YET!:mad:

So far CBS has taken the same route as ABC, only putting ad-bugs on the SD feed. Although CBS has done popups on HD programming, but it has been minimal. I've only seen it on "The Price Is Right" in primetime and the Showtime ads on "Dexter".

Last night after every major break they put up huge lower sprites telling me what show I was watching, like I was a moron for not knowing, plus one trying to get me to watch some other show.

I will be putting up samples of this frakin' crap on my website tonight. I was extremely pissed to see that crap interrupting my viewing of The Big Bang Theory :mad:

CBS has now joined my network a$$hole list.

Last night after every major break they put up huge lower sprites telling me what show I was watching, like I was a moron for not knowing, plus one trying to get me to watch some other show.

I will be putting up samples of this frakin' crap on my website tonight. I was extremely pissed to see that crap interrupting my viewing of The Big Bang Theory :mad:

CBS has now joined my network a$$hole list.

Notice the time stamp on that comment. Way to go, CBS!!! I really misjudged them. I was extremely pissed to see those ads after EVERY commercial. March 17, 2008: The day CB-ASS officially joins the club with NBC and TNT.

Just got my CW HD today:D I can't wait to see the ad bug and the 4:3 safe logo.;)

Notice the time stamp on that comment.

Yep, saw the timestamp, which is why I didn't say anything about you being blind when you didn't see the crap they pulled last night. :D

So, I made the first anti-CBS comment about their crappy sprites from last night.

I'm surprised that you didn't post about this before I did. Actually, I'm surprised that there are so few postings about it. Did anyone actually watch CBS last night? Plenty of Big Bang Theory posters in that thread, but no complaints about the sprites :mad:

I'm surprised that you didn't post about this before I did. Actually, I'm surprised that there are so few postings about it. Did anyone actually watch CBS last night? Plenty of Big Bang Theory posters in that thread, but no complaints about the sprites :mad:
Don't watch re-runs.

Don't watch re-runs.

CBS prime-time lineup, less CSI Miami, were all new episodes last night.

Yep, saw the timestamp, which is why I didn't say anything about you being blind when you didn't see the crap they pulled last night. :D

So, I made the first anti-CBS comment about their crappy sprites from last night.

I'm surprised that you didn't post about this before I did. Actually, I'm surprised that there are so few postings about it. Did anyone actually watch CBS last night? Plenty of Big Bang Theory posters in that thread, but no complaints about the sprites :mad:

My computer was acting up yesterday so I shut it down for awhile. That standby mode effs it up.

As I was watching, I couldn't believe it. I'm swearing at the TV!:D

Later yesterday I saw the "Big Bang" thread and couldn't believe nothing was said about it. I guess we are so used to seeing ugly advertising everywhere we tune it out.

I LOVE this Safe Auto commercial showing a graphic overloaded newscast.
MINIMUM COVERAGE!!! TAKE A HINT, CBS!!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Pz0dgEHDhjM

CBS prime-time lineup, less CSI Miami, were all new episodes last night.

I had a theory that this crap started out of the writers strike since reruns and reality crap doesn't matter. But I was surprised to see these ads over NEW programming last night. The week before, there were no ads over the reruns!!! :eek::confused:

CBS prime-time lineup, less CSI Miami, were all new episodes last night.
The only show I watch from last night is CSI:Miami. I would try to capture some screen shots tonight but that big storm that is in the middle of the US is going to hit us, so we will more than likely get non-stop weather coverage.

My computer was acting up yesterday so I shut it down for awhile. That standby mode effs it up.

Ah, that explains it :) I don't use standby modes.

I LOVE this Safe Auto commercial showing a graphic overloaded newscast.
MINIMUM COVERAGE!!! TAKE A HINT, CBS!!!!
I thought that was a local commercial. It is one of the best commercials I have seen.

"Let's get that out of the way"

At least CBS left Jericho uncluttered. :)

I was extremely pissed to see that crap interrupting my viewing of The Big Bang Theory :mad:

CBS has now joined my network a$$hole list.

You are kidding right? A few second banner to say the program name and one other? Sure I would prefer nothing on all programs (and no watermark either) but this is nothing but common practice for most networks around the World. When you have animated events in the way that I have seen FOX doing then that would be a concern but overall CBS seem rather tame. Hardly something to worry about IMO.

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9289/cbsprogramnameuz4.jpg

Remember, the networks think all viewers are idiots. We get promo bugs (go look at LMN or TV Land lately) on the right, then a pop up for the same d*** show appears on the left.

Clutter city

Hardly something to worry about IMO.

Just wait.

Just wait.

Indeed. I recall watching Bionic Women, it was a very darkly lit scene, the flying of an airplane in stealth mode into a hostile country. You could barely make out the hills and there was just pinholes for lights on the ground, ominous music playing.....then, the bottom 1/3 of the screen is lit up magnesium bright touting the the NBC show Phenomenon. There's screen caps of it around here somewhere.

Nice huh?..:rolleyes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/SP32-20071018-122716.jpg

You are kidding right? A few second banner to say the program name and one other? Sure I would prefer nothing on all programs (and no watermark either) but this is nothing but common practice for most networks around the World. When you have animated events in the way that I have seen FOX doing then that would be a concern but overall CBS seem rather tame. Hardly something to worry about IMO.

No, I'm not kidding. I do not want that crap on my screen. I want to see the program, not get interrupted by these huge banners treating me like an idiot by having to tell the name of the show I already know that I am watching. Then further interruption to try and get me to watch something else.

Just because someone jumps off a cliff doesn't mean you have to as well. So, saying that this crap is done world wide doesn't make it right. I don't see the BBC doing it. Fox HD doesn't either. Right now, Fox and ABC are the only two networks that aren't doing it. Don't expect them to hold out for long.

It is a horrible practice that is universally hated.

Remember, the networks think all viewers are idiots. We get promo bugs (go look at LMN or TV Land lately) on the right, then a pop up for the same d*** show appears on the left.

Clutter city

Don't get either channel. Don't have cable, nor do I have a pizza-pan system.

Indeed. I recall watching Bionic Women, it was a very darkly lit scene, the flying of an airplane in stealth mode into a hostile country. You could barely make out the hills and there was just pinholes for lights on the ground, ominous music playing.....then, the bottom 1/3 of the screen is lit up magnesium bright touting the the NBC show Phenomenon.

You'll notice that NBC doesn't do that anymore. They were hit with so many complaints about that crap that they stopped doing it. Thank goodness my copies of Bionic Woman are clean.

Instead they are doing other crap to annoy the viewers.:mad:

Right now, Fox and ABC are the only two networks that aren't doing it. Don't expect them to hold out for long.
They do it on the SD feeds.

When the networks drop their SD distribution, all the bad practices will probably migrate to HD. It could be worse than SD is now. IMO the only hope is to convince the networks that the public is so dumb that they can't read the clutter.

When the networks drop their SD distribution, all the bad practices will probably migrate to HD. It could be worse than SD is now. IMO the only hope is to convince the networks that the public is so dumb that they can't read the clutter.

Well, a couple of the networks are already equal on the HD and SD side. The CW is 100% equal, including the damn bug placement. NBC is next. Theirs uses the HD screen area, but the stuff is basically the same HD or SD. CBS is starting to get real annoying as well. We are over 50% of the way there :mad:

Yes, and your point? This is an HDTV forum, not a SDTV forum.
My point is exactly what I stated. Widescreen SD is allowed in this forum.

My point is exactly what I stated. Widescreen SD is allowed in this forum.

The last time I looked, all of the broadcast network SD channels are analog and are 4:3. So, what happens on the analog transmissions are not relevent to this discussion regarding CBS HD screen clutter.

In regards to HD screen clutter, Fox and ABC do not do it. CBS seems to be slowly joining the HD clutter fold with large snipes.

The last time I looked, all of the broadcast network SD channels are analog and are 4:3. So, what happens on the analog transmissions are not relevent to this discussion regarding CBS HD screen clutter.

In regards to HD screen clutter, Fox and ABC do not do it. CBS seems to be slowly joining the HD clutter fold with large snipes.
The networks do broadcast SD shows on their digital feed. All I'm saying is I have seen the bugs and promotions during SD programming on the digital feeds. Nothing more, nothing less.

Bickering removed, infractions issued.

Remember, the networks think all viewers are idiots... From one who has answered phones from "the public" ...they're kinda right. (Most viewers are not the kind who would hang out here) One hour on the switchboard of any television station and you'll be left wondering how some people manage to figure out how to turn their sets ON. (Which is why the day after analog shutoff is going to be hysterical. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to find TV stations begging the FCC to let 'em switch their analogs back on just for a little while to make the phone calls go away)

The trouble with the bugs is that, from a programmer's perspective, they DO work. And don't think for a minute I'm defending it.. I hate it so much I could scream. But the 'nets are playing a game called Neilsen. They live and die by the number of eyes they can get on a given show. And as long as the programmers think such bugs will attract more eyes to another show than lose viewers from the one that's showing, they'll continue to use them. Key word there is "think."

The networks do broadcast SD shows on their digital feed. All I'm saying is I have seen the bugs and promotions during SD programming on the digital feeds. Nothing more, nothing less.

I think we are going around in circles here. None of the OTA broadcast networks are using analog sat feeds anymore. All of the SD feeds are via digital sat feeds.

The point is that the SD feeds, even though sent to the affiliates via digital means, are meant for analog OTA broadcast.

This forum is about HDTV, be it via OTA, cable or DBS. This thread is specific to CBS HDTV clutter. What they do over on their SD feeds is neither here-nor-there. If the HD feed is from an SD upconvert, again the clutter is neither here-nor-there, because the programming is not true HD.

AFAIAC, the nets can clutter their SD analog video so that one has to squint to see the programming. When they do that same crap to the HD video, then I do care and will add them to my wall of shame web page.

Unfortunately, I see the day when SD/analog is turned off and the nets will have migrated all of their nasty screen clutter habits to HD. NBC and The CW are already there :mad: CBS has started.

I have not brought in a pizza-pan system because of all the screen clutter that is on the HD channels. It won't be long before my OTA viewing will drastically deminish, to be replaced with 1080p, clutter-free, Blu-ray.

The exception is HDnet and HDmovies.

At least CBS left Jericho uncluttered. :)
That's because they know nobody was watching. Why promote something on a show that isn't getting viewers?

That's because they know nobody was watching. Why promote something on a show that isn't getting viewers?

Ouch! :eek:

Ummm, SD CBS right now has a bug WORSE than NBC across 60% of the screen on the bottom that says
"Cold Case
New Episode One Week From Tonight"

WTF!?! Has this always been on SD CBS?

Ummm, SD CBS right now has a bug WORSE than NBC across 60% of the screen on the bottom that says
"Cold Case
New Episode One Week From Tonight"

WTF!?! Has this always been on SD CBS?

No offense, but why are you watching SD and reporting this in the HD thread? Did they do the same thing on the HD video? If so, then there is a reason for concern.

We know the networks are cluttering their 4:3 SD video. What we don't want is that same clutter on the HD video. CBS did clutter their HD video last Monday.

Ummm, SD CBS right now has a bug WORSE than NBC across 60% of the screen on the bottom that says
"Cold Case
New Episode One Week From Tonight"

WTF!?! Has this always been on SD CBS?

GOOD! :D At least it is on SDCBS, NOT HD CBS. As far as I'm concerned, SDTV can be bug city. The day it hits HD is the day I will be pissed. :mad:

At least CBS has been decent enough to keep the HD clutter off their dramas.

At least CBS has been decent enough to keep the HD clutter off their dramas.

What a lot of us here fear is it will spread to the HD channels eventually, given the increasing number of SD channels now plastering the screen. CBS plastered enough crap on the screen during the NCAA tournament at the top (with ads), and on the bottom (how many times do we need to see last night's scores). They also switched around games at just the right time to hit the TV timeouts.

I don't trust any of these networks anymore, their marketing people are probably drooling at all the space available on the screen once HD goes mainstream.

Just wait.

That is the problem isn't it, give an inch... you get the point.

No, I'm not kidding. I do not want that crap on my screen. I want to see the program, not get interrupted by these huge banners treating me like an idiot

Don't think for a second that I don't agree, I am simply saying that TV networks aren't exactly known for putting their viewers first. I would love to see it go away and stay but look at advertising watermarks for proof that networks do as they please.

Just because someone jumps off a cliff doesn't mean you have to as well.

A box saying the program name is still just that. CBS (well the shows we get in Australia from the network) are usually high quality. Thankfully most dramas and the like are a clean feed for the local stations to mess with (ugh) but we do get the CBS logo on certain shows. I should point out that I had to check online to get that sample - I did that to compare as I don't watch that particular show.

It is a horrible practice that is universally hated.

Agreed.

GOOD! :D At least it is on SDCBS, NOT HD CBS. As far as I'm concerned, SDTV can be bug city.

That is the problem, with Analogue transmissions shutting down (depending on location) soon, the fact is that what they get away with now will soon be polluting HD. We saw it here in Australia. When it first started the HD was clean and looked great but these days we get overlays, watermarks, squashed credits, voiceovers (personal favourite that is) and everything else you can think of.

If they can, they will. Thankfully stations such as NBC did away with that now, next (I saw that here) but we still get it down under. It is an absolute mess made even worse by the fact that on some networks, the overlay is SD (on a HD video) so it looks completely out of place.

CBS was once perfect, the thing that needs to be done is to let them know that you won't take it. Don't let them get away with anything if it annoys you else you will end up with something far worse.

OT: I am a bit late to the party with this reply, sorry about that... PC troubles.

I posted it for fear it will spread to HD CBS, if they are alreaday doing it on SD CBS.

Where I was when I saw this last night, I had no access to CBS HD:eek: Time Warner and the local CBS affiliate have not come to an agreement to carry their HD signal. Heck they just launched HD OTA in Jan '07, the signal is decent but hard to get more than a few miles out because of hills. You need an outdoor antenna. Or it's no HD CBS for you. Not even on D* or E*, they don't carry SD locals let alone HD locals.

Earlier in the weekend I was able to find it outside on the back porch on my laptop w/ my portable OnAir GT, if you find that very small sweet spot that you ackwardly hold the tuner/antenna at.