>TV services in the US that pause programmes or fast forward the ads (in 'realtime' tv)?

TIVO or similar (we've never had one in our household)  ...but I believe that there is some sort of ad forced upon you if you try to fast-forward.  But no matter, the problem for the broadcasters now is that we're becoming very proficient at streaming --not to mention *gasp* torrents.  And until recently our streaming was commercial-free.  The genie is out of the lamp.

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>we are seeing the beginning of it right now.

I think it began in 2008-9 as the recession forced people to reconsider spending $150-200 per month on cable content.

"Cable companies are hemorrhaging subscribers, but the businesses are still sitting pretty thanks to the trump card of broadband internet access."

http://consumerist.com/2011/03/broadband-internet-keeps-cable-companies-dominant-despite-tv-losses.html

>Cable companies are hemorrhaging subscribers

I just heard of a little town in Iowa (pop. 700) that the local cable TV company, serving all the small towns in the area, is folding: equipment/wires all dates from the 1980's, they can't afford to upgrade and nobody wants to buy them out.  The local satellite TV resellers are in a feeding frenzy.

Added:

I'm sure this is being repeated all over the country.

>local satellite TV resellers are in a feeding frenzy

I'll bet. Let the shoddy installations begin!