Clickable TV Ads; Yay or Nay?

For a variety of reasons, I left my house 2-3 times at the most this weekend. What that means is that I've been watching more TV than is healthy for any single individual (my GF was with me so let's chalk 50% off of my consumption).

What I noticed was that on three different cable stations [ed note; we are talking cable networks, not a primary network e.g. ABC, NBC...], was that clickable TV ads had a larger presence than I've ever seen before.  Up until yesterday, I had seen a sum total of 1 clickable TV ad on my Comcast box.  It was a GM ad that offered me the chance to click onto a screen, enter my address, and then get sent a brochure on the Chevy Silverado truck.  The input process was laborious and time consuming, and I didn't finish.  However, the idea of it all was astounding.  A true DR TV ad?  Watch an ad and perform a response?  Wild stuff.

Back to this weekend; three cosmetic ads offering to click for a coupon that would be emailed to me.  Very easy process, one entry field.  Let's make it clear the aesthetics of these ads were terrible, they looked like Comcast's guide.  But, as time-shifted television continues to become a more prevalent topic, as well as DVRs, connected TVs, etc., do we think interactive television ads are too little too late?  Or are they cable networks saving grace for not losing all their money to the online space?

Today's FCC Ruling On Protecting Internet Traffic

FCC chairperson Julius Genachowski

The FCC officially ruled today in favor of a protective piece of legislation, basically stating that internet service provider's (ISPs) cannot interfere with the content and/or traffic flow of their customers.  The idea being that an AT&T customer might be getting blocked from accessing Comcast content, or a similar situation.  The truth is, this is a bit of something out of nothing.  Has anyone ever faced a situation where they couldn't access certain content, or faced extremely low web speeds due to interference from their ISP?  I don't think so.

To quote the AP - "Known as "net neutrality," the rules prohibit phone and cable companies from favoring or discriminating against Internet content and services, such as those from rivals."

"The rules require broadband providers to let subscribers access all legal online content, applications and services over their wired networks — including online calling services, Internet video and other Web applications that compete with their core businesses. But the rules give broadband providers flexibility to manage data on their systems to deal with problems such as network congestion and unwanted traffic including spam as long as they publicly disclose their network management practices."

As I said, I do believe in a completely free and protected Internet environment (I wouldn't work online if I didn't).  I do think this battle was a bit more smoke and mirrors than they are letting on.  The Internet needs to be untethered and in the consumer's hand to shape and mold.  But I do agree with the Conservative opinion in this case, which is this type legislation might slow ISPs from trying to build out comprehensive strategies to incite their customers with content and package upgrades.

Full story here...http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101221/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_fcc_internet_rules.