It isn't a big part of life but watching television in different countries can be an experience. Currently I am on a business trip back to the USA and the differences are glaringly obvious. Normally I watch little TV but with the Winter Olympics on I am watching more than usual.
European television has commercials, two or three longer blocks per hour. Watching American TV it feels like the commercials take up more air time than the actual programming. Adding to the quantity of the commercials is the quality, or should I say lack of quality of "good" commercials. Lastly, the oddity of the products and services being advertised makes for a less than pleasant experience of watching American network television.
Speaking of the Olympics, I did stumble upon one of the French television broadcasters web site and was pleasantly surprised. Visitors to the site could select any of the live events or replay any of the completed events in their entirety without commercial interruption or announcers/commentators, all without subscription or fees.
I appreciate the fact that commercials help reduce the cost of watching American TV, but it is getting to the point where the "cost" paid by the viewer is becoming greater than the benefits.
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