55 ms·

They need to shut the hell up and work on improving their content distribution model. Learn something from Gabe Newell already. Sheesh.

bittermang 15y ago
It goes deeper than that. It's a clandestine unwillingness to innovate. They have been running the existing model for too long and are too comfortable with it to even think of anything different. I was thinking the other night as a commentator did a pitch for a show airing later in the week. Logo, short message, date and time. And I got mad. Mad because I couldn't press a button on my remote and just schedule it to record that. We live in a world where the DVR has won, every cable provider I can name is running a promotion where they're bundling their own home brand DVR box with a cable package. Yet, no new models have arisen to enhance the DVR experience beyond simple recording. They've begrudgingly accepted the devices, but otherwise it's business as usual. Think about it. If you're going to spend air time to tell me about a show, it would behoove you to let me effortlessly schedule a recording of the show. I liked the pitch, I was hooked, I wanted to watch it. But I didn't want to go out of my way to find it, despite the fact that all the information was right in front of me. Of course they've tried this. Half assed. Poorly implemented "Go Interactive!" initiatives that never get used. And the so called Interactive programming adds no value, I'm not even certain what they do since I've never been inspired to press the button during the rare occasions when the on screen prompt appears. Which extends in to the second problem. They set themselves up for failure with systems like this, only to use them as a prop to say "See, the old model is better!" See all of their stunted and disorganized digital distribution channels for further examples. They're getting better, but only because they have to because they look so poor when you compare them to something like Netflix. We're not going to be able to make them innovate. Horse vs. Water. Frankly I don't know what it will take for them to come around at this point, but I know we must staunchly oppose and fight any attempt to further stifle the progress we are all making in spite of them, all in the name of preserving their old way of life.
- zheng 15y ago
  I don't actually watch TV very often, and don't have it at home, but over the holidays I saw this feature at someone's house. I think it was DirectTV/Dish, and during a commercial for some TBS(?) show, it prompted you to press some button on the remote to automatically record the series. It was pretty cool.
  - Groxx 15y ago
    Wow. Only 5 years after Hulu, with their 'subscribe' buttons. They're stepping up their game.

bittermang 15y ago

It goes deeper than that. It's a clandestine unwillingness to innovate. They have been running the existing model for too long and are too comfortable with it to even think of anything different. I was thinking the other night as a commentator did a pitch for a show airing later in the week. Logo, short message, date and time. And I got mad. Mad because I couldn't press a button on my remote and just schedule it to record that. We live in a world where the DVR has won, every cable provider I can name is running a promotion where they're bundling their own home brand DVR box with a cable package. Yet, no new models have arisen to enhance the DVR experience beyond simple recording. They've begrudgingly accepted the devices, but otherwise it's business as usual. Think about it. If you're going to spend air time to tell me about a show, it would behoove you to let me effortlessly schedule a recording of the show. I liked the pitch, I was hooked, I wanted to watch it. But I didn't want to go out of my way to find it, despite the fact that all the information was right in front of me. Of course they've tried this. Half assed. Poorly implemented "Go Interactive!" initiatives that never get used. And the so called Interactive programming adds no value, I'm not even certain what they do since I've never been inspired to press the button during the rare occasions when the on screen prompt appears. Which extends in to the second problem. They set themselves up for failure with systems like this, only to use them as a prop to say "See, the old model is better!" See all of their stunted and disorganized digital distribution channels for further examples. They're getting better, but only because they have to because they look so poor when you compare them to something like Netflix. We're not going to be able to make them innovate. Horse vs. Water. Frankly I don't know what it will take for them to come around at this point, but I know we must staunchly oppose and fight any attempt to further stifle the progress we are all making in spite of them, all in the name of preserving their old way of life.

zheng 15y ago
I don't actually watch TV very often, and don't have it at home, but over the holidays I saw this feature at someone's house. I think it was DirectTV/Dish, and during a commercial for some TBS(?) show, it prompted you to press some button on the remote to automatically record the series. It was pretty cool.
- Groxx 15y ago
  Wow. Only 5 years after Hulu, with their 'subscribe' buttons. They're stepping up their game.