Big streaming services like Hulu, Max and Peacock are relying more heavily on 'pause ads' that show up when a user halts a binge session

‘Pause Ads’ Creep Onto Hulu, Peacock and Max as Streamers Seek New Revenue::Big streaming services like Hulu, Max and Peacock are relying more heavily on ‘pause ads’ that show up when a user halts a binge session

  • thrawn@lemmy.worldEnglish
    511·
    1 year ago

    Being in advertising “r&d” for these companies must be the easiest job in the world. All you have to do is insert ads into every possible slot (oftentimes just following another example), wait for consumers to roll over and pay for it, then do it again in six months. Freest money ever since consumers will take every blow they’re dealt and just keep paying for it no matter how bad the product becomes. Some day they’ll perfect the art and blast ads in the middle of the screen with the actual show in the top letterbox— reserving the bottom letterbox for buy it now buttons— and they’ll get fired like everyone else. But until then, easiest paycheck in the world

    • akakevbot@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      111·
      1 year ago

      Yup. Currently work at an ad tech company and we just pushed a new ad surface and the executives freaking loved it. It adds on additional revenue without putting any of the current revenue at risk. Internally, the narrative was super positive while externally it was “Well, that’s kind of annoying”.

      So long as user engagement doesn’t totally tank, they see it as a complete win.

  • Kusimulkku@lemm.eeEnglish
    3011·
    1 year ago

    Pause ads seem much less annoying than regular ads so sure, do that, don’t care when the show is paused

    • Objects in Space@infosec.pubEnglish
      66·
      1 year ago

      I was subscribed to paramount+ for Star Trek, and occasionally I’d pause to catch Easter eggs or read something on the screen, get a better look at a ship, etc - but all I could see was a shirtless man selling me old spice. It was actually really frustrating.

      • stepanzak@iusearchlinux.fyiEnglish
        111·
        1 year ago

        They could have definitely implemented it better. What comes to my mind is showing the ad only when the shiw is stopped and mouse was inactive for 5 seconds. This way, you could just jiggle your mouse a little when trying to catch those easter eggs. Not ideal, but much better than regular ads IMO.

    • Darkhoof@lemmy.worldEnglish
      29·
      1 year ago

      They seem less annoying now. Just wait until you have pause ads coupled with regular ads!