Using TiVo To Get Around The Rules
from the sneaky-sneaky... dept
While this article is focused on things in the UK, the idea equally applies here in the US where the FCC has suddenly gone on high alert trying to "clean up" the airwaves. The idea is that if broadcast companies started sending additional content to TiVo or TiVo-like PVR devices that could fit around the show, but never actually be broadcast on television, there's no reason that that the additional content needs to abide by regulations. So, in the article linked here, it talks about advertisements for beer and cars that don't need to meet specific (very strict) advertising laws in the UK. In the US, you could (in theory) include additional "too hot for broadcast TV" content that could easily be slotted in to programs viewed on a PVR. Of course, as with any kind of loophole, it's only a matter of time before lawmakers with too much time on their hands decide to close it.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]