>Probably why I mostly record the shows to DVR that I'm interested in watching and skip the commercials. :o)
>
>Still, a bit extreme I think. Would you prefer that you pay for the shows to be developed and broadcast from tax dollars? Then you would be paying for those you don't watch as well...

First, I'd disagree with calling each of these pieces a show. TV isn't necessarily all showbiz - it was supposed to be your "window into the world". Except you don't see much of anything on it - even with 200 channels, time is still too expensive so everything just has to whiz by. With non-profit TV, people making it can think of just doing it right, or doing it differently, or even of making it an art form. I've seen it done, secretly loved it but publicly loathed most of it (except of the few bright spots with all the avantguarde stuff which was on 2nd channel when it started in 1972)... now, if such TV was ever possible again, I'd subscribe. Back then, it cost a monthly fee (basically a TV tax), and it was free. Much freer than the commercial TV.

I'd rather see a subscription model, or cab meter model, but surely a la carte this way or another. If phone companies can keep track of all your calls (at least cell and long distance - the local may be in the same republic of imaginary as is the machine which removes out-of-focus pixels and leaves only sharp ones, so you can read license plates from a 16x16), then cable can track what you watch. They already can on digital.

And there should be at least one channel funded by tax money, yes. Something like a news and arts service - just as every country has its main opera house, main theater, main symphonic orchestra and a Radio One, so they do have TV One this way or another. Why can't the state have its channel? Golf players have one, local communities have 4 or 5, even that cook has one.

I'm not counting PBS, they are also full of advertising, the only difference is that they don't shout while at it.

>No t-shirts with any advertising on them I'm sure? :o)

A few - one with a dozen of VFP ads on the back, from a conference. Three official ones for the times when I'm representing the dev team I'm with. And, accidentally, the one I have on me at the moment - from daughter's job, a souvenir.

Do I hear an offer there? For $100/day I can wear any T-shirt, provided I agree with the product :)