Show total ad time left instead of or in addition to the number of ads left.
When a streamer runs a block of ads, we select the amount of time we want the ads to run for, and that can be anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. However when we do that, all the viewer sees is the number of ads left, not the total time left. Since ads vary in length, that doesn't actually tell them how long until they're over.
Speaking for myself, it's pretty much a daily occurance to have someone post a message like "8 ads??" in my chat. And sometimes that number can be in the double digits. If viewers were either instead or in addition shown the total time left, like we select as the streamer, I think it'd reduce the shock of how many ads are coming, which should make for a better viewer experience.
Also kind of a side point, but if ad inventory is a problem, you could just display "Up to x:xx of ads left." I don't think anyone is going to complain about the timer being cut short.
JCog
shared this idea
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AdmiralAirBiscuit
commented
Re: Adverts
I encounter many people complaining to streamers in chat about the number of adverts/ads they have to view for not being a subscriber to their channel, and adverts being a hindrance to their free viewing experience; including, adverts/ads pushed by Twitch and/or periodically by the streamer themselves.
For transparency, could I suggest changing how adverts are viewed, and how often; with respect to countdown timer including total time for all adverts, and not only an individual timer for each consecutive advert viewed, as length of each advert can differ regardless of the number of adverts to be viewed.
Example:
4 ads = 15 seconds each = 60 seconds.
4 ads = 30 seconds each = 120 seconds.
4 ads = 2x 15secs + 2x 30secs = 90 seconds. -
Sleepy__Dan__
commented
the way it works right now genuinely seems to maximize how frustrating it is for the viewer
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ADVOnline
commented
Time remaining is how the streaming networks do it; it's actually useful, vs count of ads, which is just demoralizing.
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Tyr808
commented
This would go a long way towards improving things. You don’t want streamers to have to defend/justify this kind of situation as it only becomes a launching point for uneducated people who will never understand that nothing is ever actually free when it comes to content or for disingenuous trolls to start complaining to distract and derail things.
In general I feel for Twitch needing to monetize, but you all really need a significant increase in common sense with how you implement things.
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tugboet
commented
this would improve the end user experience
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FerretBomb
commented
Absolutely. This would be a great change; just listing the ad-time left would communicate much better. Regularly get 'OMG 12 ads?!?!' in-chat when taking a break.
Listing the time left on the overall ad break would be FAR less of a shock to viewers, and communicate better the way that streamers apply ads, as a timed block. -
crispb
commented
So not sure if you've seen movies or shows on something like Crackle, but on their player you see a Yellow marker when an ad is coming. I think an integrated Twitch Overlay that coincide with Ads Manager would be beneficial for the viewer/community.
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Yagamoth
commented
I fully agree with this sentiment, thank you for bringing this up