My TV viewing schedule lives and dies by my DVR.  I very rarely watch anything live since I’m usually not even in front of the television until well after all the networks have finished their primetime runs.  I think the concept of traditional television viewing is going to be drastically different in the coming years, and the changes we are witnessing now will shape our habits in the future.  So the ways that networks are confronting the problems that advertisers face in regards to DVR viewings really appeal to me.

Later this year, Time Warner Cable will be introducing a new service called “Look Back”.  This enables viewers to rewind or start over any program they have recorded.  And it’s offered completely free. 

The service is not without limitations, though.  Viewers are not allowed to fast forward through commercials, which I have no problem with.  I’ve already seen several in the blogosphere up in arms about how this is taking away a huge draw of the DVR, but this isn’t designed for those consumers.  This is designed for the casual TV viewer. 

Also, the viewer only has through midnight the day of the showing to watch the program before it’s lost.  This, I’m not such a fan of.  If the viewer is still going to be “slaved” to the commercials, why should it matter if they watch it a day or two later?  The ad is still getting watched.  I wish they would expand this viewing time out a little bit.

The service will launch for South Carolina customers in October, and will branch out from there.

(Image and Story Source: New York Times)