Stay Tuned: TV Comes To The Gas Pump

[The Straight Story]

Stay Tuned: TV Comes To The Gas Pump

POSTED: 4:58 am EDT June 6, 2006
UPDATED: 5:00 am EDT June 6, 2006

OAK PARK, Mich. -- Coming soon to a gas pump near you -- television.

Gas Station TV, a Michigan-based company, is testing a service using TV monitors installed above gas pumps that show short clips of news, weather and traffic and, of course, commercials.

Programming is provided by ABC from its locally owned or affiliated television stations. It's also selling ads for the screens.


http://www.local6.com/technology/9325909/detail.html

Hmmm - I am thinking political ads at the pump. "Paying too much in gas? Say thank you to bush and his oil buddies. See them smiling and laughing as you fill up the tank and empty your wallet? Voting matters."

[olaus]

1. I

first saw this about 4 maybe 5 years at a station in Greenwood IN just off 65.

[Retrograde]

2. it's already here

There's a station near me that installed this blithering annoyance when they remodeled. Went from a simple, tiny independent place with the cheapest gas nearby to a bloated, loud minimart place. Gas is still cheaper, but I will (and do) pay a penny or two more not to be assaulted by the televisions.

Did I mention that I hate the idea?

[Coexist]

6. here too.

they show CNN at some stations in the Tampa area.

[MadHound]

3. Gee, I'll be waiting for the first TV to short out, send out sparks

And blow the gas station and patrons sky high.

And is it really wise to distract people when they are handling highly volatile liquids? I don't think so.

[shain from kane]

4. They get distracted, and keep pumping. Buy more gas.

[lectrobyte]

5. I've been seeing these for years. Soon there will be no way to block

out the telescreens. I've been noticing commercials in the checkout displays at some of the grocery stores now, luckily they are silent, for now...