April 19, 2006

You'll Watch Commercials and You'll Like it!

Skipping commercials might be a thing of the past if Philips Electronics has it's way. Philips has applied for a patent for a device that forces you to watch commercials. According to the patent request:

An apparatus and method is disclosed for preventing a viewer from switching from a channel when an advertisement is being displayed on the channel. The apparatus and method comprises an advertisement controller in a video playback device that prevents a viewer of a direct (non-recorded) broadcast from switching channels when an advertisement is displayed, and prevents a viewer of a recorded program from fast forwarding the recorded program in order to skip past advertisements that were recorded with the program. A viewer may either watch the advertisements or pay a fee in order to be able to change channels or fast forward when the advertisements are being displayed.

The sad thing is this device and technology will become a reality. I'm sure that the "device" would be marketed for premium content, but I could easily see it becoming a part of your everyday viewing in the near future.

The sad reality is no matter how much we hate commercials, something has to pay for the programming. I just don't like being forced to watch a mom and daughter talk about feminine hygiene products. Oh well, I guess that's life!

Leave us a comment and let's us know what you think.

See the Patent Request at USPTO.GOV [via arstechnica.com]