That "bloop-bloop-bloop" you hear is the collective fast-forwarding over the commercials as households with TiVos (NASDAQ: TIVO) or other digital video recording (DVR) devices zoom through the ad breaks.

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times reports that with DVR use on the rise, the Nielsen ratings group has started to monitor how American television watchers view commercials.

Advertisers have been claiming of late that the increased use of DVRs cuts down on the actual viewing of commercials. With fewer eyes ostensibly on the advertising messages, many feel that the cost for air time should be reduced. This month, with May sweeps on the books, networks and advertisers begin work on contracts for the fall season, so these fresh Nielsen numbers may be used as a bargaining chip to calculate ad rates for prime-time space on the major networks. Last year, advertisers pledged $8.75 billion in commercial-spot dollars during the "upfront" sales season. Current expectations are for this figure to decline this year.

Like every network before it Walt Disney Co.'s (NYSE:DIS) ABC is trying to squeeze every nickle out of a hit show. Investors, though, shouldn't expect too much from the spin-off of "Grey's Anatomy."

Spin-offs have a mixed track record. General Electric Co.'s (NYSE:GE) NBC tried to capitalize on the success of "Friends" with "Joey", a mediocre sitcom that failed to excite audiences. The "CSI:Crime Scene Investigation" and "Law and Order" shows are successful because they have different casts. Of course, some of the most popular shows of all time were spin-offs including "The Jeffersons," "Mork and Mindy" and "Lou Grant" got their start from other shows.

But these shows are ancient history. These days, shows based on characters from other programs are rare, which is why ABC's bet on "Grey's Anatomy" is interesting.

The new show will feature Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd, a popular "Grey's Anatomy" character played by Kate Walsh, The Wall Street Journal said. Basing a show on a flawed obstetrician is a good idea. ABC obviously is aware of the popularity of TLC's "A Baby Story." If it's good it will attract advertising dollars and give the network a profitable franchise.

But it's far from a slam dunk.

"Grey's Anatomy" came quite close last week to "jumping the shark" with its ridiculous two-part episode featuring a ferry crash. The main character Meredith Grey fell into the cold water after being rescued by McDreamy. Come on? Does anyone not think she's going to survive? I mean it's too late to change the name of the show.