June 5th, 2006
GSTV Brings Ads, ABC Content to the Pump
By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
I went to see a movie a week ago. I have to admit that it’s been a while, since I find the movie theatre experience to not be all that entertaining. I only go when I can’t wait (as for X-Men 3) or if it’s an art house. Although I’d seen them before, I was really disgusted by the sheer number of ads that are displayed before a movie now. It’s really gone up in number since I last went. Now we won’t be able to escape ads at the pump, either, as Gas Station TV (GSTV) has signed a deal with ABC to provide ads and programming at pumps.
GSTV delivers its content through a 20-inch high-definition LCD monitor on the top of the pumps. The service has been available as a pilot in Dallas, and is scheduled to be at 500 Murphy stations in the United States by the end of the year. Four hundred of the stations are expected to be in the top 10 U.S. markets.
Along with advertising, GSTV programming will feature ABC News content, including “News You Can Use” segments from “Good Morning America;” and local news, weather forecasts and traffic updates from ABC-owned TV stations. ABC’s New Media Sales group will sell the GSTV service to advertisers. Source: TechWeb
We Say: Sigh. Another case of subjecting a captive audience to ads. I realize there will be some ABC content there, but let’s face it … according to the article most people on average spend four minutes filling up their tanks … and I don’t think they’ll be sticking around to watch “Desperate Housewives”. At least I hope not, or we might see some really long lines. 
John Corliss says:
Wear earplugs and don’t look at the screen. Either that or throw a big rock at every one you see just as you’re leaving. Eventually, they should get the idea.
June 6th, 2006 at 4:40 am
Salden says:
I was thinking sales of black spraypaint would be on the rise…
June 6th, 2006 at 8:53 am
Alice says:
Now I know where my $3.85 a gallon is going. Grrrrrr
June 6th, 2006 at 11:12 am
John Corliss says:
Eh… after re-reading my last post, I realize I’d better clarify that I meant throwing a big rock at any SCREENS you see, not people.
June 7th, 2006 at 5:59 am
RecycledElectrons says:
These are so annoying, that when they are on, I walk up to the attendant, wait through a line and tell him/her that I will not buy gas there due to the annyoing 1984ish screens.
I got a few shocked looks the first time, but now they get ti quite a bit.
That’s why the screens are turned off 90% of the time in Dallas.
Andy Out!
June 14th, 2006 at 8:48 am
Free products says:
Thanks for sharing
March 15th, 2008 at 5:40 am