Wireless Politico's

Was reading this morning's MocoNews, a newsletter about the mobile video business, and came across a quote that just rubbed me *wrong.*

Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt gave a speech at CTIA called "Consumer is Really King" and in that speech said the following:

"You can call it time shifting or you can simply call it choice, call it convenience, call it control. ... That's the way our people refer to 'when I want where I want television.'"

and as rebutted by MocoNews:
No small irony that control doesn't extend to fast-forward, which Britt and TWC agreed to keep out of any DVR or DVR-like offerings several years ago, in deference to corporate siblings Turner, Warner Bros. and other programmers.

and then, Mr. Britt wrapped up with this:

"...at the end, it's the consumer who is really king. Those who focus on understanding real consumer needs will win. That's the business we're in. We're in the business of using technology to meet real consumer needs."

Uh huh, as long as those "real consumer needs" are exactly what you TELL the consumer those needs are. And as long as those needs Do Not include skipping commercials. I think these statements are classics, and Mr. Britt, have you ever considered running for office?

I still do not buy the exclusivity of ad-supported vs. non-ad-supported content models. Offer your product both ways. Consumers willing to pay for the clip, get it ad-free. Consumers who want it for "free" get the clip with ads, and by choosing to get a "free" clip, that is made clear it is an "opt in" to that advertising, and in *that* context, you may disable fast-forwarding of advertising.

Be clear to the consumer what they are getting, and give them a choice to "opt out" by purchasing programming without ads in it.

Fair enough?