We’ll be right back…and watch our progress!
CNN is trying a new gimmick during commercial breaks; a countdown clock with a progress bar that keeps track of how long until a program resumes…
November 8, 2007
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I haven’t seen it in action, but I do like the concept. And the screen grab there shows the progess bar to be kind of internet-like, like you’re watching some commercials during a streamed show. Without actually SEEING it, which is, of course, a big deal, I like the idea. (I also liked countdown clocks back in the day on FNC’s Studio B, where they’d countdown to how long an interview had left. I think I just like countdowns in general…)
Comment by Charles — November 8, 2007 @ 10:20 pm
I only see it once in a while (mostly on OITO)…I definitely like it though!
Comment by Anonymous — November 8, 2007 @ 10:25 pm
Don’t really know how the CNN one works. Need to see it in action but I remember when MSNBC had this stupid thing, actually a good thing for viewers like me lol, that said we’ll be back in 2 minutes. I would just look at the clock, channel surf and get back to MSNBC when the clock hit me time.
Comment by Lurker — November 8, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
It sounds like a good idea to me. But I just flipped on during LKL and see a Cialis commercial with no progress bar….. Btw, what would a young stud like myself need that for?
Comment by Terance — November 8, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
I really think this will only encourage people to flip channels. If you know exactly when they’re coming back… you can click around, skip the commercials, and come back near the end.
That can’t possibly be good for CNN (what if people flip, and get hooked somewhere else) and their advertisers (people flipping, are people not watching).
Comment by ImNotBlue — November 9, 2007 @ 12:15 am
ImNotBlue: But if someone is already channel-surfing and comes across CNN during an ad, they might see that the program will be back in 27 seconds and wait for it. Also, I already flip channels during breaks. This will tell me how much time I have before I need to return, though, which will probably keep me in a frenetic “gotta get back” mode in which I won’t be as likely to forget to return.
Comment by James — November 9, 2007 @ 3:58 am
Hmmm,I really like it.
Maybe FNC should try it too…
Comment by FOXFan — November 9, 2007 @ 6:47 am
i love this, best idea CNN have had in years.
Comment by craig gordon — November 9, 2007 @ 7:23 am
It’s good for the viewer but if I were a sponsor I would not advertise on CNN because of this. It only encourages people to leave the room (knowing when they can return) or channel surf or otherwise distract themselves from the commercial message. I would think that advertiser backlash could put a quick end to this gimmick.
Comment by PF — November 9, 2007 @ 10:33 am
A big “thumbs UP” on this idea.
Comment by Roger C. — November 10, 2007 @ 11:23 am
ummm… current tv did it first.
Comment by chica — November 12, 2007 @ 9:51 pm