Networks using Tivo to get ratings?

[mrpenguin]

This week a few of the shows we watch got changed around a bit and time slots were changed. I noticed how some shows are put into a "special" time slot, fox I think does this the most. I was thinking of this. Lets say you have passes set up for shows that are usually on different days. When the network changes that day, Tivo will record the pass with the higher priority. This will then dump the other show that is in its normal timeslot. This could give the ratings/reports a false result because of the time change. This could result in less advertising $ for the lower priority show and pumped up values for the other.

Does this make any sence at all? I am sure the numbers are small that it changes, but still could be used.

[cheer]

I don't think I understand what you are saying. Here's how I read it:

Show "A" is normally scheduled on Fox Tuesday nights at 8 PM EST.
Show "B" is normally scheduled on NBC Thursday nights at 9 PM EST.
Fox moves show "A" to Thursday night at 9 PM.
Show "A" has a higher priority than "B" so show "B" doesn't get recorded.

How is that different from a non-Tivo scenario? If you watched everything live you'd still have that decision to make, right?

I must be missing something.

[mrpenguin]

You are correct, YOU would have that decition, but if many are like me and do not watch the show live and watch it the next day during the day, they would have not taped what they normally would have the night before. If live, you make the choice. Either way, I was just thinking that this "special night" crap is really just a play for the ratings game and to screw with our programming schedules

[singe606]

Another reason dual tuners are nice. ;) I only have about 10 primetime season passes, but I dont think I've ever had something not record to due to priority issues...

[cheer]

You are correct, YOU would have that decition, but if many are like me and do not watch the show live and watch it the next day during the day, they would have not taped what they normally would have the night before. If live, you make the choice. Either way, I was just thinking that this "special night" crap is really just a play for the ratings game and to screw with our programming schedules
OK, I see your point. I suppose it's just a question of adjusting your season pass priorities "in case."

Mind you, that's not nearly as evil as the way some networks (coughcoughabccoughcough) start shows at 9:58 or end them at 10:02 or whatever. Plays hell with my passes.

Good thing I've got four of the beasties. :)

--chris

[cheer]

Another reason dual tuners are nice.
That was the overriding reason I switched from Dish to DirecTV -- that and I just thought the Tivo device was much slicker and nicer than the Dish PVR. After I switched, Dish called me to find out why I left. It was a pretty hilarious conversation.

DISH: We were wondering if we could convince you to stay with Dish.
CHRIS: No, I don't think so.
D: Can I ask why you left?
C: I wanted Tivo.
D: We have Tivo.
C: You do? You actually have Tivo? When did that start?
D: Well, it's like Tivo.
C: Ah. No, I wanted actual Tivo. Besides, I called to get a Dish PVR months ago and you wouldn't let me.
D: What do you mean, we wouldn't let you?
C: I signed up under the Digital Home Plan, which as I'm sure you know is a lease w/1 year commitment. When I called a few months ago, I was told I couldn't make any changes until the 1 year was up. Now I can understand why you wouldn't let me disconnect or reduce service, but upgrade? That's wacky.
D: Well I am sorry to hear that, sir. But I can get you a PVR.
C: Yes but now I can just get an actual Tivo. Besides, yours isn't even dual tuner (at the time the only 2-tuner model they had was the buggy 721 which they were only leasing to new customers anyways). Dual tuner is critical to me.
D: We are going to have a dual tuner product for existing customers very soon.
C: But I can have Tivo NOW. In fact, I already do. So this is kind of pointless. But in the future you might want to consider allowing customers to upgrade during their first year. It's just silly if you don't. Why would you not want to take MORE money from your customers?
D: There's no need to name-call, sir.
C: I wasn't. You asked me why I switched. I'm telling you. If you're not interested, let's end this.
D: Our PVR is very nice, sir. You can record 2 shows at once, or watch one while you record another.
C: Yes, I'm sure. My Tivo does that too. But I don't think you are listening. I've already switched. DirecTV service is installed and activated. I couldn't switch back even if I wanted to, which I most assuredly do not.
D: Fine. Thanks. <click>

If my son ever tells me he wants me to get him a cowboy outfit, perhaps I should consider buying him this wacky company.

Anyway, I can't live without dual tuners. In fact, the kids are hassling me because I've only got one line run to each of their rooms (back from the initial install when they didn't have DTivos of their own). I hate the attic.

[captain_video]

Dual tuners and Tivo functionality was what sold me on DTivos several years ago. I used to have a bank of S-VHS VCRs so that I could record and play back all of my shows but I still ran into scheduling conflicts. Now that I have two HDTivos and one SD DTivo I rarely have a scheduling problem (believe it or not it still happens once in a great while).

[singe606]

That's pretty good. :D

The sad part is, eventually DIRECTV won't have TiVo either... :(