[glenneroo]

> Is the mute button on my remote a ethnical crime against poor hapless television companies?

Which reminds me, TV/cable/et al. related services already cost money, yet they still serve advertisements. Isn't this a form of double-dipping? Shouldn't they be paying (or giving a discount) to watch advertisements?

[dublinben]

The cost of broadcast and cable networks already includes a discount that takes the advertising into account. Ad-free networks (HBO, Showtime, etc.) otherwise known as "pay television" are $15/mo each, since all revenue must come directly from subscribers.

[vacri]

Pay TV came to Australia in the 90s with the promise "No ads - your payment covers it". Then the ads came between shows. Then the ads came within shows, just like free-to-air TV. So... what were we paying for again?