Now I’m not suggesting that the solution is to remove commercials all together. I’m simply asking that the TV networks limit the intervals. For example, the average half-an-hour time slot will show roughly 22 minutes of programming and 8 minutes of advertising. Ideally I would prefer to watch all 22 minutes of my favorite shows consecutively; then watch the 8 minutes of commercials before the next show begins.

I realize the chances of this happening are extremely slim. But here, right now, I vow to religiously watch any network that will go so far as to show me 11 consecutive minutes of programming, before breaking for commercials—even if it ends up being Lifetime!

In all seriousness, this isn’t a farfetched proposal. TV viewers in the United Kingdom aren’t forced to watch the network sponsors’ advertisements every 6 to 7 minutes. In fact, many British networks will show the whole 22 minutes! They often only have one break halfway through the show when they present a movie; which is kind of nice.

So, if any of you big-shot network suits stumble upon this post… Please begin to treat your viewers with the respect and dignity that we deserve. Give us commercial free programming! Show your advertisements when we want to watch them—after the show! Don’t run the opening credits then immediately break to commercial, that’s like a slap in the face! It’s not that TV viewers hate ads, it’s that we would prefer to learn about special offers and new products during a better time; like when we’re not already watching a show! Please help us to help you, by preventing the unnecessary recording of your shows only to have the ads fast-forwarded through!

RJ