# Commercials before online videos are out of control and other things **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 26, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219 "2011-08-26T20:53:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/1 "2011-08-26T20:53:17Z")
What’s with all of the forced commercials before online videos now? It used to be that you would be forced to watch a 10s commercial every 4-5 videos on sites like CNN or IGN but now if you want to watch a 1:15 video on CNN you need to sit through a 30 second commercial. Same on IGN. And most of the time you need to watch a commercial before every video so you can end up spending 10 minutes in front of your computer to watch 4 minutes worth of content. If I wanted to watch commercials I would just sit in front of the TV. And while I’m at it WTF is wrong with ESPNs site? The videos ALWAYS play automatically no matter how many times I click the “Autoplay off” box. Nothing is more annoying that trying to read an article while listening to some tunes and then the video starts playing in parallel with my music. And thirdly, though I am probably alone here, I dislike the way the news sites have increased video reports at the expense of written reports. Many times I’ll see a headline on CNN that sounds interesting only to find that it’s a video which I can’t watch at work or I won’t watch at home because of the stupidly large number of long commercials. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/2 "2011-08-26T20:57:06Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > Many times I’ll see a headline on CNN that sounds interesting only to find that it’s a video which I can’t watch at work or I won’t watch at home because of the stupidly large number of long commercials. I think it should be a law that whenever a news headline on CNN doesn’t explicitly note that the link leads to Nancy Grace that the person who put that headline on the website will be summarily executed. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/3 "2011-08-26T21:06:33Z")
If I may add my own. I appreciate that Crackle has a few better free movies than Hulu offers. What I don’t appreciate is that every commercial they play is the **same one**. I liked **Pineapple Expess** - I didn’t like watching the trailer for **Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star** fifteen times. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/4 "2011-08-26T21:56:13Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > And thirdly, though I am probably alone here, I dislike the way the news sites have increased video reports at the expense of written reports. Many times I’ll see a headline on CNN that sounds interesting only to find that it’s a video which I can’t watch at work or I won’t watch at home because of the stupidly large number of long commercials. I’m with you there. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/5 "2011-08-26T22:02:47Z")
**’Shocking’ decline in adult literacy** [video] ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/6 "2011-08-26T22:08:02Z")
TL:DW ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/7 "2011-08-27T00:09:27Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I think it should be a law that whenever a news headline on CNN doesn’t explicitly note that the link leads to Nancy Grace that the person who put that headline on the website will be summarily executed. Wouldn’t it be easier and better for the gene pool (of whatever species she is, because she and I are not of the same species) to just have NG permanently removed? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/8 "2011-08-27T17:32:53Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > And while I’m at it WTF is wrong with ESPNs site? The videos ALWAYS play automatically no matter how many times I click the “Autoplay off” box. Nothing is more annoying that trying to read an article while listening to some tunes and then the video starts playing in parallel with my music. Most of these sites use Adobe Flash for displaying video content. So if you have the Flashblock add-in installed, the videos won’t play unless you click on the play button. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/9 "2011-08-27T17:37:17Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I think it should be a law that whenever a news headline on CNN doesn’t explicitly note that the link leads to Nancy Grace that the person who put that headline on the website will be summarily executed. That is excessive. It is sufficient to merely force the offender to watch ten or twelve hours of her show in a row. > [@D\_Odds](#): > > Wouldn’t it be easier and better for the gene pool (of whatever species she is, because she and I are not of the same species) to just have NG permanently removed? Not only do board rules prohibit wishing death on people, but it is unwise to arouse the ire of her Dark Master. She is one of Morgoth’s most reliable and effective lieutenants, after all. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/10 "2011-08-27T19:48:47Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Not only do board rules prohibit wishing death on people, … Nitpick–they prohibit wishing death on other posters. While we’ve certainly got some posters who are smarmy and stupid enough to be her, there’s no evidence that she’s a member here. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/11 "2011-08-27T19:50:50Z")
The ads don’t bother me as much as how often it’s the same damn ad over and over. I’m looking at you, [theonion.com](http://theonion.com). ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/12 "2011-08-27T20:03:04Z")
Too late to edit: So of course the first three videos I just watched at [theonion.com](http://theonion.com) had three different ads. Bastards. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/13 "2011-08-27T22:10:21Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/14 "2011-08-27T22:29:54Z")
The problem is that all of us are so used to free stuff that we forget that nothing is really free. The solution, in the end, is to pay or suffer the mofos. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/15 "2011-08-27T23:21:57Z")
> [@](#): > > And thirdly, though I am probably alone here, I dislike the way the news sites have increased video reports at the expense of written reports. Many times I’ll see a headline on CNN that sounds interesting only to find that it’s a video which I can’t watch at work or I won’t watch at home because of the stupidly large number of long commercials. Oh, you are not alone (I nearly linked to a video of that, but decided that it would be too much). I don’t have to worry about my boss looking over my shoulder, but it’s a personal preference for me. I’d much rather read the information than watch a video. I can get much more information, much faster, and I don’t have to watch some talking head to get a snip of a story. And let’s not forget the sites that automatically start playing sound. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/16 "2011-08-28T00:57:25Z")
Do a search for AdblockVideo. Works like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hero_From_Sector_7G)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/17 "2011-08-29T17:02:29Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Do a search for AdblockVideo. Works like a charm. I used to use AdBlock for Firefox, however, after switching to Chrome I have found that AdBlock does not block flash commercials (for example, the commercials before The Daily Show when streamed through Comedy Central). Is there yet another program I should use? I know I can do a Google search, but I’m looking for personal experience. Links and anecdotes would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/18 "2011-08-29T17:23:45Z")
I agree with everything you said. I think the sites are handling the commercials completely wrong. I think they should only have static ads while the video is playing. The problem with the forced videos are: 1-- Everyone hates them. They want the instant gratification of watching their video, not some commercial for Ford 2-- There aren’t enough sponsors. The first Ford commercal is annoying. The 8th time they show the exact same commercial it’s rage inducing. 3-- Play a commercial, the viewer switches to another window. Truthfully, I can’t complain too much about the commercials because as soon as they come on I switch to another browser window and check email, facebook, sdmb, etc. After a minute or two I’ll switch back to the window with the video, move the slider back to the beginning, and watch it sponsor-free. 4–The commercials will often change the way the show is being watched. I’m watching the show full screen. A commercial comes on and suddently I’m back in the browser window. When the commercials finish, the video doesn’t go back to full screen. So instead of video commercials I think it would make more sense to have static ads at the bottom of the video. I hesitate to even propose that, though, because I know the ad monkeys will make the overlay ads moving video instead of just a static image. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/19 "2011-08-29T22:55:57Z")
> [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](#): > > I used to use AdBlock for Firefox, however, after switching to Chrome I have found that AdBlock does not block flash commercials (for example, the commercials before The Daily Show when streamed through Comedy Central). > > Is there yet another program I should use? I know I can do a Google search, but I’m looking for personal experience. Links and anecdotes would be appreciated. AdblockVideo is a separate app from AdBlock Plus. Same guys, different tool. Works like a charm, for me at least, in Firefox. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219/20 "2011-08-30T07:08:52Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Wouldn’t it be easier and better for the gene pool (of whatever species she is, because she and I are not of the same species) to just have NG permanently removed? The \*Harpyia venenatis \* (common name: venomous douche-harpy) is recognized as an endangered species by the United States and therefore it is illegal to hunt or knowingly cause death to an individual of this species. Efforts to save the species by introducing assexual reproduction behavior has become a popular idea in the scientific community. As one researcher noted, “We wouldn’t have the douche-harpy problem if Nancy Grace would just go fuck herself.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-before-online-videos-are-out-of-control-and-other-things/594219.md?page=2)