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Clearwater AL

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PALS
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12/2018
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US
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NC
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Get Real
Broadcast and cable TV is getting harder to watch with the overwhelming
number of commercials.

And… how did most of the different channels agree to go to commercial
break at the same time?

I also wonder how some of these insurance companies can afford to pay
claims with the millions of dollars they pay for air time (spots) to run
their commercials. (That guy who throws his wallet in the water needs
insurance for sure… that moron drives a car.)

Then the pharmaceutical commercials… the possible side effect “follower”
is nearly as long as the pitch itself. The medicine may elevate one suffering
for some condition even worse.

Some say, “internal bleeding, shortness of breath, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat,
low blood pressure, possible fainting, bleeding gums, be cautious driving and
possible death”. (You may feel better but don’t smile about it if your gums
are bleeding.) :)

Possible death’? You gotta be kidding! Possible fainting? For the rest of us
on the road with you.. we pray you have good car insurance.

Yea, get rid of that achy knee… trade it off for the galloping trots and
hemorrhoids. :)

Finally I timed a cable news show. 7.5 minutes of program… 4 minutes
of commercials. Now the FCC (which I am a little familiar with) wants to
deregulate commercial communications even more.

PS. I’ve actually had to have my satellite dish provider to send me a new
clicker because I wore out the memory button on the first one.

There… I feel better. Hopefully no side effects.
 
I record every program I watch so I don't have to suffer through commercials.

When I flip through the news channels, they always break for commercials at the same time.....how does this happen?

I guess I'll start recording the news, too.
 
I quit TV. Life is much better. (Now if I could just get rid of this damn computer.)
 
I've been forced to watch tv for the last 1 1/2 weeks due to a surgery so I can commiserate Al. My daughter put me on her Netflix and that has helped and as mentioned before there is always recording.
 
I have two big beefs in terms of commercials:

1. Pharmaceutical ads. I’ve always resented those commercials. It should be up to the doctor to select appropriate therapy for the patient and explain it to them, not up to the drug companies. So much time was wasted in my medical practice when patients would ask me about a therapy which was totally inappropriate for them based on a drug company ad.

2. Campaign ads just before an election. This has gotten nasty, inappropriate, and out of hand. But so has politics in our country in general (that’s a whole other rant — probably best not to go there).
 
I rarely watched TV before ALS so I always can find something interesting. My condo dues include TV with three DVR boxes and internet. They cut a deal with AT&T to get us a $160 package for $56 and a five-year guarantee. I watch lots of documentaries.
 
People often call, Email and write letters to politicians with complaints…
for what it’s worth.

You can call the FCC and file a compliant that will be addressed and
you will get a reply… in time. The FCC has made filing a complaint
so much easier than it used to be,

Your complaint alone may not bring change but… if the FCC receives
enough complaints on a certain topic they can act.

For example...
there is the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act.

The FCC doesn’t monitor all TV commercials but when enough complaints
add up they now have standing to address the complaint with the possible
violator… or Congress

There are two I have a complaint with. One commercial starts with a guy
hitting cords on a guitar. The other starts with an opera singer hitting a
high note that would break a crystal wine glass.

Commercials, in audio, are allowed 90% modulation. Modulation can be
boosted to 100% (in modulation even 110% is possible.) Thus, making the
commercial seemingly louder or the very beginning of the commercial to
an annoying level to get your attention.

So, any readers who agree with this Thread… file your complaint!

Karen, if you have the time, sometime, you being a doctor could file a
very well worded complaint on those pharmaceutical ads. :)
I think there is a Bill in Congress addressing this... maybe the FCC would
forward their file to Congress.
 
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Al, the pharmaceutical ads have been on TV since the mid 1980’s. The pharma companies have big, big bucks and pay off congress people to support them. It’s a clear example of the big corporations vs the little guy. There would probably have to be laws banning big corporate lobbyists before we see a change here. I personally have other fish to fry.
 
Ok, I understand. Yes, we have the best government money can buy. :)

I have a little knowledge of the FCC. I hold FCC licenses;

Global Marine Distress Safety System Radio Operator License,
Global Marine Distress Safety System Maintainer License,
Ship Radar Endorsement,
Commercial Radio/Telephone Operator License.

I won a case against a certain cell phone company, and that company had
to withdraw a certain TV ad they were running.

The FCC has good people who like to flex their muscles. It helps them
justify their jobs. And... maintain or increase their budget. :)

I would like folks to file a complaint, if they have the time, if they have
been screwed by or are unhappy with a cell phone company, cable TV
provider or just displeasure with TV commercials.
 
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