Opinion: The TV commercial I hate most

For many years, I found TV commercials to be so annoying that when Cable TV was first introduced to viewers, I immediately signed up because it promised commercial-free viewing. And, at least for a while, it delivered. But, eventually, commercial-bearing channels were added. The price of subscription increased. As recently as December 2023, my Xfinity package was $181.50; but in Feb., 2024, it was $208; and by the end of the year, $265.20.

A satellite service challenged cable, but it doesn’t have Home Box Office (HBO) among its choices. And, of course, I’m paying for the hundreds of channels that I never watch, many of them in foreign languages. However, I keep holding out hope for a less expensive alternative.

I must also point out that the nature of cable TV has changed, and quite dramatically. Now, movie channels show series. So, if I choose to watch a certain “movie,” I may find that it is actually Season 2, Episode 7 of a continuing saga. Moreover, certain channels serve up a steady diet of The Godfather, Godfather II, and Godfather Coda. Today as I write, “Jack Reacher,” the movie based on Lee Child’s books about a 6’3” former Army MP but played by 5’7” Tom Cruise, can be seen several times during the day on two of the few channels that I watch. Moreover, the “On Demand” system used to have hundreds of free movies. Now, most of them require a rental fee.