by Jane Rutherford

Created on: June 11, 2008

When pop up ads appeared on the Internet the quickly became the most irritating phenomena I've ever encountered. They were the reason why I switched to Opera and its brilliant pop up blocker. What annoys me to no end, is the fact that even if I change my TV to a new one, it won't solve the problem of pop up ads invading my TV screen.

I don't know what came over our TV networks, but what started as a new way to advertise the network's shows, has slowly became the new public enemy number one.

I can understand that the networks need to find new ways of promoting their programming. Especially with the ratings falling, the Internet providing with ways to download the episodes (legal or not) and the advertisers choosing other ways to sell their products than through TV ads.

And I have to say that it was okay for a small strip at the bottom of the screen to show up for five to ten seconds once every act. But apparently the viewers should have react then. Because now, I feel it's gotten out of control. Right now I'm not very surprised when a reminder to vote for the contestants of the newest talent show pops up and takes over half of the screen.

The scary part is that this trend seems to be making an international career. Maybe European TV networks don't want to stay behind. I don't think I want to know the reason behind that. I'm just slightly disappointed that networks all over the world refuse to learn their lesson.

Pop up advertising has become less and less effective on the Internet. And while I do understand the logic in pointing the viewers towards a show that might also interest them, doing so at the expense of the show they are already watching might be harmful in the long run. Not to mention a proper trailer of the next episode will catch far more attention than a pop up that says "Next on network of your choice".

Many people are already switching to downloading episodes from Amazon or iTunes. I know personally people who just decide to buy the seasons when they come out on DVD...

The fight to make the networks stop using pop up ads may be a lost fight. Pop ups save network time. Time that can be used to air more paid ads and earn money. But I still think us, viewers, should talk about it and make sure our annoyance is heard. Some buzz never hurt any cause. And who knows, the networks might surprise us and get rid of the pop ups from hell.

Yes, highly unlikely.

Learn more about this author, Jane Rutherford.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.