Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

Recently the CEO of Turner said that PVR device users that skip ads are STEALING. He called it a CRIME to not watch the ads, specifically he said:

It's theft. Your contract with the network when you get the show is you're going to watch the spots. Otherwise you couldn't get the show on an ad-supported basis. Any time you skip a commercial or watch the button you're actually stealing the programming.

What a bunch of crap, but thats just the start. First off its CABLE, the entire purpose of cable originally was that we PAY for it and hence it is NOT AD SUPPORTED (HBO, etc.) Also, what contract? If I go take a piss during a commercial its a crime? Ok, this guy is a jackass, granted, but now apparently AOL-Time Warner is getting in on the act.

AOL-TW has a new PVR "set top" device that is coming out that will NOT ALLOW the user to skip ads. Considering that AOL-TW owns one of (if not the) largest cable companies in the states and that this new box is their "vision" they are certainly forcing the play. They presumably will make this non ad skip device (which also will have other undisclosed "copyright protection" measures) as REQUIRED as they possibly can (by law they cannot require their own equipment, but most people do not know that, and they make it difficult not to use their equipment, which all cable companies do.)

Its also notable that AOL-TW has an affiliation with TiVO which they use to influence that company (although they have scaled back the deals, as of late.)

They are a powerful company, and they are going to show you that, like it or not.

Get a PVR that DOES ALLOW YOU TO DO WHAT YOU WANT and if you are an AOL-TW subscriber, get a satellite.

For more info check the links.   slashdot AOL-TW PVR post