So who here actually watches TV ads?

  • Thread starter Thread starter AlexGTV
  • 33 comments
  • 2,353 views

How often do you watch TV ads?

  • Never

    Votes: 4 9.5%

  • Rarely; don't want to lose any bit from the program

    Votes: 17 40.5%

  • Often; they keep me informed and/or entertained

    Votes: 10 23.8%

  • I watch most when I sit on the couch

    Votes: 11 26.2%
  • Total voters
    42
A

AlexGTV

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Greece
Salonica
Seeing as I usually ignore online ads - let alone TV ads - I'm curious to see what members of GTPlanet do when there is ad time on TV.

I imagine many will, as I do myself, keep TV open and realise from the sound if the program they are watching started or continues.

Also, for those of you that watch often TV ads - what is it that appeals to you? Do you want to be informed, entertained or you just can't bother to do other things in the meantime?
 
I'm just too lazy to get up and do anything else. I imagine that's how it is for most people. If I have something to do cough bspec cough il go do that but otherwise I just sit through them.
 
I watch them. Mostly because I find them amusing. Like the Oatmeal Crisp commercial with the British family. Made me laugh my socks off. Plus I only get 5 channels on tv now, and all have commercials at the EXACT same time. Also if I can't sleep at night I'll turn on the tv and watch infomercials to put me back to sleep. Guacomole in 30 seconds! Wow! I want the Bullet Express. Also I watch them because I want to either be an accountant or be working in a marketing department. So watching different commercials gives me hints on what marketing strategies work best and which fail miserably.
 
Me doesn't like ads. I usually use the breaks to visit the computer or kitchen, but rarely actually watch them.
 
I only watch the Marks and Spencer's clothing ones because the models are bang tidy.
 
Floats
I only watch the Marks and Spencer's clothing ones because the models are bang tidy.
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QFT.
And the latest Boots one. :drool:
 
Depends on what I'm watching I guess, if I'm watching the NHL playoffs (or any sporting event at all), I usually watch them so I don't miss anything. But if I'm just vegging out in front of the TV, I'll find two or three shows to flick back and forth between.
 
Ads are used for outside smoke breaks and washroom time, and sometimes, snack time.
 
SRV2LOW4ME
Ads are used for outside smoke breaks and washroom time, and sometimes, snack time.
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You forgot something ;)

Just saying everyone keeps talking about those "bang tidy" models....
 
The only ads worthy of watching these days are comparethemarket.com's. Meerkats lol. :D
 
Despite having Sky+ I've recently realised I have developed an 'ad immunity'. Doesn't stop me moaning about the stupid ones though *cough*gocompare*cough*
 
Don't really mind them as I hardly ever watch TV, I did notice some weird censorship stuff. They removed the choke chains from two Dobermen in a dog food advert.
 
I rarely watch them, I channel surf or go and grab some snacks from the kitchen.
 
TiVo + 3X fast forward = no ads.

Unless something catches my eye.
 
I watch most if not all adverts, I find the UK advertisers come up with some really witty and entertaining stuff and even if I have no interest in buying those products I still watch them.
 
Can't get away from them in Australia, I change the channel and more advertisements are showing!
 
You're basically forced into watching ads if you watch TV.....

It's like an inescapeable force, unless havoc goes down in your house.
 
Unless it's a "zoom on the girl's boobs"-type advertising, I change the channel. Then change it back when I believe the ad is finished.
 
Aside from live programming like sporting events, most shows have their commercial breaks around the same time so theres really no escaping it unless you get up to do something around the house during the breaks.

I don't know how it is in the rest of the world but in the U.S. you are literally molested by noise and colors every time an "advertisement" comes on tv. I can appreciate a funny commercial when its done correctly, but most companies have taken it to the point of being obnoxious and borderline insulting at this point.

However, I love watching old VHS tapes of recorded tv from when I was a kid just to see the old ads. A break would consist of maybe 3 or 4 quick commercials (The best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup. Heres a new Nissan. The Hamburglar would steal some McDonalds. 7up Dot would break some ice... back to show). They weren't overly loud or flashy... and they also weren't like the acid trips they use nowadays.

Gotta love PAYING for cable so that the networks have the opportunity to shove ads down your throat haha.
 
TB
TiVo + 3X fast forward = no ads.

Unless something catches my eye.
Click to expand...

Same here...it has to be good or very creative. I do admit I check out manufacturer's new car ads occasionally. I'll watch the ads during the Super Bowl. Other than that, I almost never watch any live programming anymore (although I watch very little TV to begin with). Motor racing has enough ads, leave me alone; Indy Car racing uses the split-screen for most commercial breaks, which is a nice concession.

My daughter is so unaware that advertising even exists; the rare time she sees a live commercial, she asks us to skip it.
 
3X fast forward?

30x FTW! (Sky+)

I rarely watch 'live' TV anymore and if i do it's either an advertless channel or i'll flick, anything to avoid adverts. The older i get, the less tolerant i find myself towards TV ads.
 
I watch them when they're on. I like to pick holes in them.

Like the one for the Vauxhall Astra with the panoramic windscreen, in which the driver stops the car, steps out of it, and performs a magic trick with the scenery to bring up a new vista. The message here of course being that the car is so awful, you have to resort to conjuring tricks to avoid driving it.

I also like the loan shark payday advance ones. I play "who has the highest APR?" I think the record stands at 2278% (Quick Quid) Also the "total amount payable as a function of the loan value". Ocean Finance are pretty good at that, usually being around 2.5x loan amount.

And I like the cosmetics ads. "78% agree" it screams. Check the small print for the sample size. Score an ad goal when the sample size of cosmetic tests is less than 100.

Finally, there are the deliberate mistakes. There's one running for an ambulance-chasing lawyer service where the animated character is trying to claim compo for a broken leg. Except he spends around 50% of the ad waving his crutch (for the aforementioned broken leg) at the TV screen...
 
Pupik
My daughter is so unaware that advertising even exists; the rare time she sees a live commercial, she asks us to skip it.
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The rare time my kids see a commercial, they ask me to buy said product. When it's for Moon Sand, I say no. When it's for an R8... I still say no.
TheCracker
3X fast forward?

30x FTW! (Sky+)
Click to expand...
By 3X I mean hitting the fast forward button three times. What that actually equates to in terms of speed I'm not sure, but it's likely comparable.
 
GilesGuthrie
I also like the loan shark payday advance ones. I play "who has the highest APR?" I think the record stands at 2278% (Quick Quid)
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I always looks at the APR whenever these adverts appear, I believe Wonga.com has a Representative APR of 4214% :eek:

Whenever I'm watching TV and the adverts come on, I usually turn over to a different channel only to find the channel I've turned to is also showing adverts, unless I turn it to one of the BBC channels that is.
 
I sometimes watch ads, other times I just channel flick.

One time I saw a 8 min long ad for a excersise/dance dvd. I watched it just to laugh at their really obvious attempts at sumblinal selling.

But most times I just watch them but without taking any notice on what they are actually saying/selling.
 
When ads are on im normally zaping!
 
We are 'watching' ads all the time. TV, radio, online, sports events, in the street, even the clothes you wear. We live in a world of information with corporations vying for our attention and they need to find clever ways to plant their message. TV advertising has an advantage as it hits a captive audience who are already watching the screen for entertainment purposes. Online advertising works to a similar formula but is generally just plain irritating as it is far more instant (2 to 3 seconds), whereas TV ads can run for 30 to 60 seconds - decent ones that is. This luxury of time allows great creativity.

One thing I have noticed is the difference between TV advertising in the UK and the US. The speed of edits and shortness of the US ads is dizzying in comparison. I'm guessing that UK (and possibly European) markets need more persuading and prefer to be 'entertained' and convinced that a brand will fit into their lifestyle. Anyone else from either side of the Atlantic notice this?
 
^Yes, I've noticed. Also the Japanese ads are funny because they go into great detail about the products specs, it's laughable!
 
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