Is TV always like this now, or is it just the Olympics?

I don't notice it, but since we've never had cable, I'm not really used to programs without commercials so I probably don't notice it that much.

Most of the shows I watch try to get you hooked during the first part of the hour, so the first 10 minutes or so is commercial free.  After that, yes, they are about every five to seven minutes.  That's why I tape them so I can fast forwarded through the commercials.

I am starting to watch older seasons of Criminal Minds on dvd. A one hour episode is reduced to about 45 minutes or so when you take out the commercials. 

To me it does seem like a lot of commercials. Especially when it is a 30 min show. 

This is why we got the DVR 10 plus years ago.  No commercials, we just fast forward through them.  We got 'Grandfathered' in when we actually bought our dvr and didn't have to pay monthly because we bought it outright.  When it blew, we found one on Craigslist for like $50...brand new.  When we moved now we do get it free in with our Dish Network.

I think the commercials are more frequent for the olympics.

Another thing I noticed is that in addition to the commercials that generate income for them, is that they have SOOO many self promotional commercial type things. Where they're not really showing live programming, but advertising what's going to be coming up or just general Olympic promoting.

I think you're noticing it because you've been away from TV for a while. 20 minutes for a half-hour show is pretty standard "show time". It is getting so I wonder how sitcom writers can tell a story in that short amount.

 

When hubby and I take a "TV vacation", we're amazed by not only the commercials but the content of the programming and commercials when we get back. There is so much JUNK on TV. When it comes down to it, there are only a few channels we want to watch and even those have gotten cluttered with useless programs. The other night hubby was watching "Ice Road Truckers" while I was in another part of the house doing something else. DD came in because she didn't want to be in the living room with dad. She complained, "He is watching Ice Road Truckers again. It is trucks on ice. It is supposed to be scary but it really dull. How many times can you see a truck driving on ice? I get it already." LOL - she is right!