I have noticed, that American TV stations, like to have their bug on the screen always visible, never transparent. For example, TLC always has their logo 100% opaque and never transparent. Another example is Discovery U.S., the Globe in the D is always spinning, but in Canada, it turns transparent after a few seconds, why is that?
Because at least our Canadian broadcasters are smart. Who wants to get a station bug burnt into their screen because it is visible at all times like TLC or the Golf Channel. I refuse to watch TLC because of that nasty bug. I guys the terrible shows they air don't help either, but do we really need that huge bug, with some show that's coming on later above it, and I'm sure they have added a twitter hashtag like most other American channels too.
I remember a time when we complained that we couldn't watch a show on the American channel because of simsubs, now I'm happy I can't. I hate watching a show on Fox or NBC and they always have the stupid twitter hash tage on the screen, at least the Canadian version doesn't have that.
At least, on the FOX stations, the Twitter # is outside the 4:3 area, as it on TLC. If Canada starts doing this, and doesn't go outside the 4:3 area, We will have so much writing on the TV screen, we won't even know what we are watching.
I was watching Castle on ABC Detroit and they not only had the bug, and the Hash tag they also had adds for an upcoming program on as well. It was really annoying and was on a lot of the program.
"You are watching Rick Mercer" Oh, thank you CBC I didn't know that.
"22 Minutes Next" Oh, thank you CBC for that information
At least the CBC bug isn't too bad, unlike those already mentioned - TLC is probably the worst with their bug and then the graphics in addition. At times you only get to see about 70% of the programme.
We were promised hd tv but we will be back to regular tv after they plaster ads all over.
I worked my butt off to improve and develop computer systems so we could retire early, work less hours. Is that promise fulfilled? Or do you bring the work home and beyond.
Well, same thing, we've developed 6x9 hd so the marketers have continuous access to us.
My first encounter with this self serving crap was TVO about 20 or more years ago. This huge "bug" reminding me constantly who I was watching. Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn (with apologies to Rhett Butler).
One of the more obnoxious items is that huge coloured silk hankies nonsense on CTV. Yoohoo, over here! Did you notice who we are?
Maybe what we need is an electronic block of white or black that we could impress on the screen with remote control ability to resize, re locate as necessary over these bugs. I would rather see a blank area than be force fed a promo of what's coming up next. TV manufacturers would have an instant must-buy feature.
Tnen I could also block out those PITA's at baseball games that continuously wave at the folks at home. Jerks. sailmaker
TV bugs have been annoying viewers for decades... have a look at this classic Air Farce sketch from almost 20 years ago.
57's comment made me laugh -- it's so true... what's with the "you're watching" nonsense that's become a new trend? HGTV does it to the point of interfereing with the show -- literally covers up some of the currently-airing show's graphics!
My peeve is when it ends up covering subtitles. Huge lack of respect for the program that they're airing and fans of that program. They're robbing the programs of valuable screen real-estate and preventing that program from conveying its information in order to toot their own horn. It makes watching foreign programs with subtitles unwatchable.
mr.eous, your video link didn't show up, but I know which Air Farce sketch you're talking about! It's burnt in my mind like a CNN logo burnt on an old hotel TV!
I've been debating using station bugs on my own TV channel, or sell the corners as advertising space. But for a while, I've been having serious doubts about littering the TV screen with anything at all. It can be incredibly distracting when not done properly.
Bugs themself I don't mind, if they're done right. Channels from Quebec like Evasion and Zeste know how to do it right, making it as small as reasonably possible, a good proper see-through fade after a few seconds in full colour, and as low into the respective corner as possible.
Then we have TLC, HUGE and perhaps most prolific offender. Spike, their logo is so simple they could easily follow the Evasion route. Canadian channels are offenders too, but as many have mentioned, they are much better than in the US.
In the UK people complain to Ofcom all the time about this nonsense and get so-so results. A few years ago Brits were so annoyed with BBC HD's bug that "Auntie" said they would redo it making it as faded as technically possible without it completely disappearing. If every Canadian yelled at the CRTC, we might (very big "might") get results too. As for any US channels piped into Canada changing any time soon though, don't hold your breath.
Oh, and that's just talking about the bugs themselves. Don't even get me started on the hash tags and the "New Episode of this tonight 10pm" things TLC and Spike add to their logo and other channels emulate. All of that is a waste of space. That's that break bumpers and idents are for!
I was just heading to bed and as I was turning off the TV I just noticed something. I had Food Network on, and as Restaurant Stakeout started, the new Shaw logo showed up in the corner, quickly morphing into the Food Network logo.
WTF? Those dumb "You're watching Food Network, a part of Shaw" bump breakers weren't bad enough?? This better not be a new rollout on all Shaw channels, even the US channels don't pull this stunt with their owners!
The ads during the show are just their answer to PVRs skipping the normal ads.
It's something of an escalating scorched earth war. The more annoying the ads get, the more people work to avoid them. That in turn prompts more annoying ads.
Related to Post #14, I see that some of these station bugs have been morphing into ads, thereby obscuring the lower 20% of the program in progress.
I believe it was CTV Toronto and Global Toronto stations who displayed graphics for a chicken chain and a bank using this annoying ad injection process.
I do agree that this will indeed be their answer to PVRs skipping the normal ads.
There might be a solution to all of this, but it requires going back to the early days of television, and bring back the live reads.
twit.tv has been doing this since they went on the air a few years ago, and it seems to be working out for them. There's less of a temptation to skip the ads when it's integrated into the show.
And sometimes, it can result in some pretty hilarious outcomes.
Live reads are not so doable, especially for pre-recorded scripted TV, when the filming is so far removed from the airing, plus re-airs and is later released on DVD/Blu-Ray, and streaming.
For news programming, it could seem that editorially they are tied closer to the advertisers.
The only fit for national products would be game/competiton shows, and talk shows.
Exixd0r - agree completely. CTV is really bad for this. I get so frustrated when their ads and promos completely obscure written info from the TV show on the screen - everything from subtitles to credits to info bytes (ie telling us the scene is taking place in whatever year or city or something else important to know so that you can properly understand what you are watching).
I understand they are desperate to get ad revenue anywhere and everywhere, but covering up the programs that consumers are (in most cases) paying to watch is completely disrespectful to both the viewers and everyone involved with producing said programs.
Except that the viewers and producers are NOT a broadcaster's main client base; it's the ADVERTISERS. They're the ones who give checks to the broadcasters. And the broadcasters pretty much have to take their orders from them otherwise the checks won't come in anymore.
During Sunday's Once Upon A Time CBS had 2 not so small onscreen adds on he lower lefthand side for 2 of its own & up coming shows for the whole entire show!!
CBS must be experiencing pretty hard times to stoop that low!!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums
1.7M posts
114.9K members
Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to Canadian TV, computing and home theatre owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about home audio/video, displays, troubleshooting, styles, projects, DIY’s, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!