There is no V in Commercial

Here is an interesting statistic from the NY Times:

"Against almost every expectation, nearly half of all people watching delayed shows are still slouching on their couches watching messages about movies, cars and beer. According to Nielsen, 46 percent of viewers 18 to 49 years old for all four networks taken together are watching the commercials during playback, up slightly from last year."

Almost half the people with DVRs are still watching the commercials while watching shows they have recorded. I am proud to not be in that percentile, but I think I know why.

1. Half the TV watchers are passive couch potatoes. It's too hard to reach for that button.

2. The money spent on ads means their production values are better than the shows most people are watching. A Jack in the Box ad has way better special effects and soundtrack than most "reality" shows.

3. Did I mention it takes effort to reach for that button all the time?

On a similar note: It is election day today and ABC is launching the pilot of a new (old) show, V. What does that say about the expected interest level of Americans? It is a mid term election, so less than 50% of registered voters are expected to vote. That is only about 18% of eligible voters. And I have no idea what percentage of TV viewers are also eligible voters, but it has to be less than 18%. And of that percentage, how many of them will care enough to watch election returns on TV instead of the relaunch of V? How many people will be more interested in governors' races and civil rights and tax issues instead of sexy aliens invading earth?

The fact that V is launching tonight says that election coverage is not considered to be a major factor in getting eyeballs attached to the V pilot. Probably because people like me who will watch election returns also have DVRs and can watch V later (and half of us will skip the commercials).

Life is always entertaining. And the new V has to be better than its 80's ancestor! But that ain't saying much.