Why do TV dramas mention Skype but not show it?

This week's episode of CW's new nighttime soap, The Beautiful Life, includes Skype in its opening dialog...

Sonya

No, Mom. Do not come to New York. That's a terrible idea.

[Unintelligible voice on the phone]

Because, I don't want my baby anywhere near this snake pit.

[voice]

Did you download Skype yet?

[voice]

It's not that difficult.

...but Skype is not the video chat shown in a later scene.

Could it have anything to do with Skype's terms of service for broadcast? Skype not only requires you to

1. register your show,
2. give Skype spoken credit before and after using Skype in a show,
3. prominently display the Skype logo and
4. give Skype the right to edit or cancel your video.

That's a lot of power for a few seconds of using Skype. This may work for newsrooms, game shows, and daytime talk. Theatrical productions have more money at risk. I'd be reluctant to bet on Skype's kindness. So substituting a generic video player (like "Video Chat" in TBL) or recorded video may be a producer's the path forward.

See also:

• If Skype placed product on TV shows...
• Melrose Place Skypes off camera
• Foody alert: vidSkype TV chefs
• Skype connects cast and crew of Star Trek: The Continuing Mission
• Why Oprah's Skype day was ineffective: tone and Skype
• Ashton Skypes Oprah, disrupting electronic field TV production
• Skype on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" TV
• Skype product placement: Who Wants to be a Millionaire (US)

• Skype Video for "Live On Location" Television
• The Venice Project steals an opportunity from SkypeBay
• Skype Video As a Broadcast TV Source
• Skype for Virtual TV Sports Event TailGate Parties

• Skype television commercials? and TV commercial from Skype

• SkypeTV
• The joy of hacking: Asterisk on Apple TV
• SkypeTiVo - Personal

• skyping friends while watching television

tags: skype, television, tv, TBL, productplacement, tos, eula, terms, thebeautifullife, Sonya

Call me at +1-510-316-9773, Skype me, follow @skypejournal and @Phil Wolff.
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