How TV Shows Are Tricking You Into Watching Ads

[Commentary] According to Deadline, “The percentage of broadcast commercials skipped by DVR users dropped to 46.7% in the 2011/2012 season from 58.8% in 2007/2008. For cable, 50.4% of the ads were skipped this past season vs. 52.8% in 2007/2008.” Rosenberg wonders if TV viewers are actively choosing to watch more ads as a way to support the shows they care about—though she admits it might just reflect their growing laziness. I have another theory: I’ve been an devoted TiVo user for more than a decade, and my fast-forwarding habits haven’t changed a bit. But I am watching more commercials these days—because advertisers are using low-down, sneaky ploys to trick me into it.