Is It Just Me?

Hi Everyone,

Today's blog is about TV shows, shown on either broadcast or cable TV. I will not be writing about their content, oh no, today's blog is about the length of some TV shows. Maybe today's topic is something that bothers others and not just me.

In this new world of watching TV, in order for anyone to record a show, you must have a DVR, be it from your cable provider or from TiVo. I believe those are the only ways to record a show. As we all are aware, either one of those methods will cost you money. Gone are the days of VCR's, but I regress. What does bother me about the length of TV shows? Please allow me to explain. Ever recorded a show, then after watching that show, you missed out on the last 1 to 7 minutes (or even longer) of the show because it ran longer then usual? This has happened to me numerous times. I hate when TV shows are extended past their regularly scheduled time. I presume this is meant to make you watch the very next show on that channel. The DVR stops recording prior to the show's ending because it is based on 30 or 60 minute intervals and not 32 or 65 minutes. Missing those final minutes sucks because you don't know how that show ended. Even if you don't record a show and instead watch it, when it is over, you missed the first few minutes of the next show that you wanted to watch on another channel. Obviously, the beginning and ending of a show are very important. But when you miss either, you are kind of left in limbo.

Back in the day of VCR's, shows let you know in advance of their "super sized" episodes which ran some minutes later then normal, somtimes up to 15 minutes longer. If you wanted to "tape" that show, you just had to program your VCR for the exact length of time needed in order to watch the complete show. I can't do that with my DVR.

Now is it just me, or should TV shows be based on the time proven alotted amount of time that is based on the top or bottom of the hour? I think common sense says yes. But TV channels are in a war to keep their viewers for as long as possible so as to keep their ratings up. So I don't see this issue changing any time soon. Just my thoughts.

Til next week.

Peter