Yeah, there is, but it's not spotlight. I forget what it's called because I did hide it. It weas just basic stuff on how to use your 360 and shit.
You're absolutely right. But that's why I have a DVR.
In all seriousness, you're right. It's just that M$ wants to advertise Live Gold as a 'Premium' service. Well then why muddy it up with all these cut rate ads? Save that shit for the Silver members who aren't paying.
PSN even has minal ads, and that's only to advertise shit in the PSN store (that I know of) and they don't charge for their service. For instance, now when you boot up your PS3 the fierst thing you see are banners for the sale they are having on certain PSN titles. Sure, is Live better? Yeah, a little. But if it is then M$ should act like it is.
And as far as advertisements in games go, that's for another discussion but I do think it's bullshit. When they are sutle and actually make sense (like ads on actual billboards in games-I think Crackdown did that?) I don't mind. But when they are thrown at you, and the company still expects you to pay a full $60- for the game, knowing damn well they are getting serious kick backs for the ads, is BULLSHIT.