Advertising in the Guide?

[SP Jon M3]

Now DirecTV is running ads directly in the programing guide? :grin:

EDIT: Sorry if this has been posted before. I didn't see it anywhere.

[Greg Alsobrook]

been talked about in several threads... but... if i'm not mistaken, the one you posted pics of is new(er)... i saw that today and don't remember seeing it before...

[katzeye]

Please Get Rid of them! This is so despicable, I can't believe they have stooped to this.

[SDizzle]

We have had the ads for awhile, but they are actively adding them now! The one the OP posted is new, and on Wednesday they added the "Disney channel in HD" ad also.

[JDubbs413]

They really aren't that big of a deal...

[Greg Alsobrook]

They really aren't that big of a deal...

they are to a lot of people, including myself... and they seem to be increasing... they also seem to slow the scrolling speed of the guide.. i use the 'channel down' button to scroll page by page through the guide... on the page before and the page containing the ad, it slows a bit...

[Jestr40]

I have two in mine for the Masters VOD content. I wonder if they are customer specific?

[krock918316]

I think as long as they stick to what they've got now (as in no ads for products, just channels and/or programs) I've got no problem with it. I have not noticed any slow down in guide performance.

[katzeye]

They really aren't that big of a deal...

I pay them plenty of money every month for my service. If my money is not valuable to them and they need to force this upon me then it is a big deal. If I had then option to turn this off then it would be ok. Since they feel that it is ok to manipulate me into noticing their advertising, it is not alright.

[skyviewmark1]

Who are they advertising too? I already pay them for the service.. And the only people that can see this are already paying for the service.. It isn't like it's getting out to new customers. Seems a waste to me.. And a very big annoyance.

[Snoofie]

It doesn't really bother me that much. It could be worse and if it is what they have to do to keep our monthly fees from going up, it is a minor annoyance.

[Snoofie]

Who are they advertising too? I already pay them for the service.. And the only people that can see this are already paying for the service.. It isn't like it's getting out to new customers. Seems a waste to me.. And a very big annoyance.

They are advertising to Average Joe who doesn't read this board and might be interested in knowing that there is a new HD channel available.

[raott]

It doesn't really bother me that much. It could be worse and if it is what they have to do to keep our monthly fees from going up, it is a minor annoyance.

The ads have nothing to do with your monthly fees and will not prevent them from going up.

This is just one more step in D*'s parity with cable. Although the ads are not nearly as bad as the ads I've seen in my local cable company's DVR.

[Billsfan69]

This doesn't really bother me that much. For example they have one for the Masters on Demand. This is something I would not have known about because I don't check everyday to see what new on demand channels have been put up.

[jhollan2]

For some they may be helpful, I find them annoying. The one that irks me the most comes in the middle of the HBOs and advertises movies. I'd prefer that they give me the ability to turn it off.

[SamC]

An "ad" is trying to get you to buy something. These just bring to your attention things you have. A great service and not an "ad" in any way.

[Greg Alsobrook]

I understand they are using these to alert us of new stuff... ie, Masters VOD, Disney HD, etc... but I think it would make a lot more sense to send them as 'messages' on the receivers...

[inkahauts]

I'd rather see them have a running scroll at the bottom of the screen that is empty space right now for ads rather than eat up one of my spaces for channels in my guide...

[Jestr40]

This doesn't really bother me that much. For example they have one for the Masters on Demand. This is something I would not have known about because I don't check everyday to see what new on demand channels have been put up.

I agree, BUT they seem to be multiplying like rabbits!! I do not what one ever 8 or 10 spaces on the grid. Anyone have a count on how many we have right now?


edit : Okay under the "All Channels" setting in the guide I counted 7 of the banners.

[Drew2k]

I posted this elsewhere, but everyone unhappy about the ads needs to pick up the phone and complain to a CSR, and ask that the complaint be elevated to the appropriate department. If enough people complain and waste CSRs times with nothing BUT a complaint, upper management at the call centers will take note, and eventually upper management at DIRECTV will take note of the resources being wasted fielding simple complaint calls. It's not a tactic I normally approve of, to waste the time of a CSR or anyone else for that matter, but this is out of hand.

What did it for me yesterday was seeing a banner ad between channels 501 and 502 in the guide, in the HBO channels. I am already paying a premium to see the HBO channels, and now I have to be faced with advertisements just to see what's on the commercial-free channels I'm paying so much money for? It's an insult.

[n3ntj]

I also don't want to watch ads on a service I already pay a lot for every month. IF it gets to Viagra ads in the guide, I'm leaving D*.

..and don't even get me started on Coke commercials and car ads at the movie theater when the movie you paid good money to see is now 10 minutes late. Why on earth am I paying to watch commercials. If companies want their commercial seen at movie theaters, cut the ticket price in half, and let the ads pay for the other half.

[Greg Alsobrook]

I posted this elsewhere, but everyone unhappy about the ads needs to pick up the phone and complain to a CSR, and ask that the complaint be elevated to the appropriate department. If enough people complain and waste CSRs times with nothing BUT a complaint, upper management at the call centers will take note, and eventually upper management at DIRECTV will take note of the resources being wasted fielding simple complaint calls. It's not a tactic I normally approve of, to waste the time of a CSR or anyone else for that matter, but this is out of hand.

What did it for me yesterday was seeing a banner ad between channels 501 and 502 in the guide, in the HBO channels. I am already paying a premium to see the HBO channels, and now I have to be faced with advertisements just to see what's on the commercial-free channels I'm paying so much money for? It's an insult.

well said drew...

[jazzyjez]

I also agree that ads in the guide are annoying, and if they do insist that they're informative for some people, then there should at least be an option to disable them in the setup.
However, far, far worse than ads in the guide are ads in the programs. I for one really get annoyed when pop-ups appear during the program telling me what's on next, etc. This used to be limited to the low-end channels, but I'm now seeing it on premiums such as Showtime. For example during the new Bond movie last night we're getting ads popping up tellings us when the next Tudors, or whatever is on. OK, I know CR isn't the most intellectually challenging film, but pop-up ads are distracting all the same. (Sorry SHO, but you'll be the first premium I drop if this persists!)
Rant continues...
I suppose the Showtime annoyance isn't as bad as some channels... BBCA (and others) showing continual text throughout the programs telling you what you're watching, what channel you're watching, what's on next, what's on next week, what the producer had for breakfast. A discreet logo is sufficient thanks, if I want to know any more I think I can manage to press the Info or Guide buttons.
... OK, I'm done.

[sailermon]

I posted this elsewhere, but everyone unhappy about the ads needs to pick up the phone and complain to a CSR, and ask that the complaint be elevated to the appropriate department. If enough people complain and waste CSRs times with nothing BUT a complaint, upper management at the call centers will take note, and eventually upper management at DIRECTV will take note of the resources being wasted fielding simple complaint calls. It's not a tactic I normally approve of, to waste the time of a CSR or anyone else for that matter, but this is out of hand.

What did it for me yesterday was seeing a banner ad between channels 501 and 502 in the guide, in the HBO channels. I am already paying a premium to see the HBO channels, and now I have to be faced with advertisements just to see what's on the commercial-free channels I'm paying so much money for? It's an insult.

I agree that they are very annoying. I think we should start complaining in big numbers because, if we don't, we will start seeing more and more of this crap.

[glennb]

I posted this elsewhere, but everyone unhappy about the ads needs to pick up the phone and complain to a CSR, and ask that the complaint be elevated to the appropriate department. If enough people complain and waste CSRs times with nothing BUT a complaint, upper management at the call centers will take note, and eventually upper management at DIRECTV will take note of the resources being wasted fielding simple complaint calls. It's not a tactic I normally approve of, to waste the time of a CSR or anyone else for that matter, but this is out of hand.

What did it for me yesterday was seeing a banner ad between channels 501 and 502 in the guide, in the HBO channels. I am already paying a premium to see the HBO channels, and now I have to be faced with advertisements just to see what's on the commercial-free channels I'm paying so much money for? It's an insult.

Good luck with all that.
:rolleyes:

Doesn't really bother me a bit.
:)

[Drew2k]

Good luck with all that.
:rolleyes:
Thank you for your sincere and earnest good wishes.

[glennb]

I pay them plenty of money every month for my service. If my money is not valuable to them and they need to force this upon me then it is a big deal. If I had then option to turn this off then it would be ok. Since they feel that it is ok to manipulate me into noticing their advertising, it is not alright.

Since they feel that it is ok to manipulate me into noticing their advertising....
Gettin' a little over-dramactic aren't ya ?
:rolleyes:

Did you call to cancel your DIRECTV service yet ?
I'm sure without you paying them "plenty of money every month" they'll go broke.

[su_A_ve]

An ad for content is one thing. If it would be a true commercial add, it would be another.

The other day was such on my old R10. One of those 'make money' internet offer type, on the showcases.

[murry27409]

edit : Okay under the "All Channels" setting in the guide I counted 7 of the banners.

That's it? It seems like there's a lot more than that, they're all over the place...

[katzeye]

Since they feel that it is ok to manipulate me into noticing their advertising....
Gettin' a little over-dramactic aren't ya ?
:rolleyes:

Did you call to cancel your DIRECTV service yet ?
I'm sure without you paying them "plenty of money every month" they'll go broke.

Firstly, I never said anything about canceling my service.
Secondly, I'm sure you have never complained once in you life about junk mail, inserts in magazines, or pop-up ads? The fact is that intrusive advertising is obnoxious, and I have the right to be upset and complain because I love my D* service.
The fact is that, yes they should be concerned with MY dollars. I am a customer.

[JACKIEGAGA]

DirecTv get rid of guide channel banner ads

[Kevin Dupuy]

Luckily for me they appear to only be in the HR2x DVRs right now. MY R15 doesn't have any. I would mind them myself, as long as they aren't more than one line big.

[glennb]

Thank you for your sincere and earnest good wishes.

I'm sure it will go just as great as when the people in the DIRECTV/TiVo forum were trying to get a bunch of signatures to force DIRECTV to enable MRV on the HDVR2 DIRECTV/TiVo DVR.

[mluntz]

I'd rather see them have a running scroll at the bottom of the screen that is empty space right now for ads rather than eat up one of my spaces for channels in my guide...

No more running scrolls please! I see enough of them everywhere! Keep it the way it is!

[EricRobins]

I wonder if there were an option to "opt out" of certain advertising FOR A FEE, how many people would actually do it?

Obviously it depends upon the cost, but for even $5, I can deal with ads in the guide the way they are now.

[Drew2k]

I'm sure it will go just as great as when the people in the DIRECTV/TiVo forum were trying to get a bunch of signatures to force DIRECTV to enable MRV on the HDVR2 DIRECTV/TiVo DVR.As an old saying goes, "silence is consent" (or assent). We can either sit quietly and take it (some may have an alternate way to say this, usually involving a head down posture) or make our objections known.

Even if it goes nowhere, it's still worth the shot at getting DIRECTV to understand that their customers are not happy with the ads. There are two response from DIRECTV: silence, or eliminating/scaling back on the ads. I'd rather try and be shot down than do nothing and watch more screen real estate be taken over by ads...

[ulbonado]

I don't use the guide much, but I pop it up occasionally. I've never even noticed these ads. Am I just blind, or are they not universal? Where exactly are they? I have an HR21-700.

[Drew2k]

I don't use the guide much, but I pop it up occasionally. I've never even noticed these ads. Am I just blind, or are they not universal? Where exactly are they? I have an HR21-700.
Go to All Channels view, the ads are between:

120 & 121
138 & 140
204 & 206
245 & 246
289 & 290
501 & 502

[Greg Alsobrook]

Go to All Channels view, the ads are between:

120 & 121
138 & 140
204 & 206
245 & 246
289 & 290
501 & 502

6 too many if you ask me...

so... does anyone else support my idea of the "messages" option on the receiver as a better way to get the word out about new features/channels??

[MountainMan10]

The one between 259 and 260 WE is gone?

[c152driver]

I'm strictly in Drew2k's camp on this one and I've harped on the issue before.

What most annoys me is that these appear even when you're using a favorites list. I create a favorites list to clear out the clutter and DirecTV sees fit to put this crud in there anyway. And as predicted, it seems to be getting more pervasive.

Between stuff like this and the increasingly annoying pop-ups that the networks are using, I find myself watching less TV.

So from here on out I am going to adjust my attitude... Thanks DirecTV for degrading the viewing experience. Lately I've been exercising and reading more. Please keep it coming.... soon I'll be compelled to reduce or eliminate my DirecTV service and you'll be helping me save money too!

[c152driver]

I e-mailed DirecTV complaining about the banner ads (I played dumb a little bit--I'm aware there's no way to turn them off (short of removing channels from the guide))

The response is priceless!

My message

Lately I have started noticing advertising in the onscreen guide of my HR20 DVR. For example, I have seen banners advertising American Gangster, the Masters Golf tournament, the Disney Channel HD, and other items.

I find these banners annoying and they clutter up my guide with items that I don't want. I'm already using a "favorites" channel list so I would expect these to not appear, but I have found no way to turn them off.

How do I remove these banner ads from my guide? Is there a way to turn them off? If not, please send my feedback to the appropriate department.

Thanks

DirecTV's response

Thank you for writing. I understand that you're having video problems with your problems. We are anxious to address your questions. Unfortunately, we are limited to what we can troubleshoot by email, but we want to ensure your system is up and running again as quickly as possible. Our Technical Support agents are trained to walk you through a number of troubleshooting steps which are too difficult to try to talk through over email.

Please call our technical support center at 1-800-531-5000 and select the option for technical assistance. Should replacement or a service call be necessary, we can readily make that arrangement for you. I have left a note on your account about the matter at hand so that when you call, you will be immediately assisted by a Customer Service Representative. We appreciate your patience and hope we're able to fix the problem quickly.

Also, you may find some helpful information at the DIRECTV Technical Help forums. Just visit http://forums.directv.com/pe/index.jsp to find answers to your questions.

Sincerely,
{name removed to protect the incompetent}

[Greg Alsobrook]

I e-mailed DirecTV complaining about the banner ads (I played dumb a little bit--I'm aware there's no way to turn them off (short of removing channels from the guide))

The response is priceless!

:lol:

[Greg Alsobrook]

well... FWIW... I just sent in my complaint at directv.com/email

[katzeye]

Drew is right that we need to call to really get through to them. Especially since the email route seems to just get boiler plate... Or maybe we should send them letters. :rolleyes:

[c152driver]

Drew is right that we need to call to really get through to them. Especially since the email route seems to just get boiler plate... Or maybe we should send them letters. :rolleyes:

Yeah, the e-mail route isn't working too well for me.

My follow-up:

I'm sorry, but your response makes me wonder if you actually read my
message.

I'm not having any technical problems at all. My intent was to complain
about the ads that are appearing in the onscreen program guide and to ask if
there is a way to turn them off.

DirecTV response:

Thanks for writing us back. I'm sorry for the confusion about your previous email. We have forwarded your concerns on to our Advertising Sales management team. Please understand, because other networks or services may run this ad, it’s difficult to identify it without knowing the date and time you saw it.

Your feedback is important to us. Our Advertising Sales team continually reviews customer comments and often makes changes from viewer comments like yours.

Thanks again for writing.

[Greg Alsobrook]

Yeah, the e-mail route isn't working too well for me.

My follow-up:

I'm sorry, but your response makes me wonder if you actually read my
message.

I'm not having any technical problems at all. My intent was to complain
about the ads that are appearing in the onscreen program guide and to ask if
there is a way to turn them off.

DirecTV response:

Thanks for writing us back. I'm sorry for the confusion about your previous email. We have forwarded your concerns on to our Advertising Sales management team. Please understand, because other networks or services may run this ad, it’s difficult to identify it without knowing the date and time you saw it.

Your feedback is important to us. Our Advertising Sales team continually reviews customer comments and often makes changes from viewer comments like yours.

Thanks again for writing.

!rolling

wow... just wow....

[tcusta00]

DirecTV response:

Thanks for writing us back. I'm sorry for the confusion about your previous email. We have forwarded your concerns on to our Advertising Sales management team. Please understand, because other networks or services may run this ad, it’s difficult to identify it without knowing the date and time you saw it.

Your feedback is important to us. Our Advertising Sales team continually reviews customer comments and often makes changes from viewer comments like yours.

Thanks again for writing.

OH MY GOD! Priceless. And frustrating.

[Greg Alsobrook]

Yeah, the e-mail route isn't working too well for me.

3rd times the charm... do it again!! :lol:

[Greg Alsobrook]

yep... i got the same thing...

Thanks for writing. In reference to your concern, I have forwarded your concerns on to our Advertising Sales management team. Please understand, because other networks or services may run this ad, it's difficult to identify it without knowing the date and time you saw it.

Your feedback is important to us. Our Advertising Sales team continually reviews customer comments and often makes changes from viewer comments like yours.

Sincerely,
*****

[Greg Alsobrook]

well... i tried again... a little better response this time...

Thanks for writing. We're always looking for ways to enhance our services, and customer feedback is very important to us. I have forwarded your comments on to DIRECTV Management.

We often make changes to our service based on customer requests, and we conduct customer surveys on a regular basis to get feedback and new ideas

Thanks again for writing and please stay tuned to directv.com for the latest news and information about our services.

[katzeye]

Yeah, the e-mail route isn't working too well for me.

My follow-up:

I'm sorry, but your response makes me wonder if you actually read my
message.

I'm not having any technical problems at all. My intent was to complain
about the ads that are appearing in the onscreen program guide and to ask if
there is a way to turn them off.

DirecTV response:

Thanks for writing us back. I'm sorry for the confusion about your previous email. We have forwarded your concerns on to our Advertising Sales management team. Please understand, because other networks or services may run this ad, it’s difficult to identify it without knowing the date and time you saw it.

Your feedback is important to us. Our Advertising Sales team continually reviews customer comments and often makes changes from viewer comments like yours.

Thanks again for writing.

:uglyhamme

[katzeye]

I called in and lodged my complaint. Probably won't get anywhere, but I did my part.
To all the unscrupulous types out there, they did give me three months of the Xtra pack for my troubles. So join our cause and maybe you will get something out of it.

[c152driver]

3rd times the charm... do it again!! :lol:

Yep! Third time's a charm. At least I've made my feelings known, for what it's worth. (Not very much, I imagine)

My second follow-up:

Thanks for the response, but we're still not on the same wavelength. I'm not
referring to advertising that is appearing on a channel, I'm referring to
items that are appearing in the onscreen guide of the HR20 when you press
the "Guide" button on the remote. For example, if you look at the onscreen
guide, there is an advertisement for American Gangster displayed between
channels 501 and 502. I have attached a picture with an example.

DirecTV's third response

Thanks for writing us back. I'm sorry to hear about the confusion with our previous emails. I'm grateful to the attached image, and I understand fully what you meant.

Please know that we take customer feedback very seriously. Our goal is to provide a wide variety of programming, on a wide variety of channels. It is inevitable that we show such ads, specially since the programming were provided to us by the networks, and we believe that there may be customers who can benefit from such announcements.

While we continually work with our programming partners to improve your television entertainment experience, it helps us all for you to also forward your feedback to our account management. We're always looking for ways to enhance our services, and customer feedback is very important to us. I have forwarded your comments on to DIRECTV Management.

We often make changes to our service based on customer requests, and we conduct customer surveys on a regular basis to get feedback and new ideas.

[tcusta00]

Yep! Third time's a charm. At least I've made my feelings known, for what it's worth. (Not very much, I imagine)

My second follow-up:

Thanks for the response, but we're still not on the same wavelength. I'm not
referring to advertising that is appearing on a channel, I'm referring to
items that are appearing in the onscreen guide of the HR20 when you press
the "Guide" button on the remote. For example, if you look at the onscreen
guide, there is an advertisement for American Gangster displayed between
channels 501 and 502. I have attached a picture with an example.

DirecTV's third response

Thanks for writing us back. I'm sorry to hear about the confusion with our previous emails. I'm grateful to the attached image, and I understand fully what you meant.

Please know that we take customer feedback very seriously. Our goal is to provide a wide variety of programming, on a wide variety of channels. It is inevitable that we show such ads, specially since the programming were provided to us by the networks, and we believe that there may be customers who can benefit from such announcements.

While we continually work with our programming partners to improve your television entertainment experience, it helps us all for you to also forward your feedback to our account management. We're always looking for ways to enhance our services, and customer feedback is very important to us. I have forwarded your comments on to DIRECTV Management.

We often make changes to our service based on customer requests, and we conduct customer surveys on a regular basis to get feedback and new ideas.

Still boilerplate BS but at least a person (or more intelligent computer) read the email this time.

[fappy]

I sent in my complaint email, as with a lot of you the american gangster one really crossed the line for me for some reason.

[DawgLink]

As others have said, right now it isn't a big deal.

But, if they add more and more, it will become a big deal

[Greg Alsobrook]

But, if they add more and more, it will become a big deal

they are continuing to increase though... the one pictured in post 1 of this thread is brand new...

[DawgLink]

they are continuing to increase though... the one pictured in post 1 of this thread is brand new...

I meant in taking up more space.

As long as they stay in that space, I am fine with it.

I just don't want to be going through the guide and passing 4-5 going from ESPN to to some channel just a few down