On the other hand, streaming (usually) isn't actually streaming, it's progressive download. The thing that stops you skipping the ads is just the fact that they turn off the fast-forward button and enforce that with DRM. Otherwise skipping ads would be trivial.
Cable DVRs have to actually capture and record the signal into a ring buffer, and if it isn't integrated into a cable box[0], it has to come out of one, with a complicated setup of IR blasters to have your DVR tune the cable box to a specific channel. And of course you have to actually pause the video or record it in advance in order to get commercial-skipping capability.
Cable ad skipping is entirely a technical problem, streaming ad skipping is entirely a legal one.
[0] You were supposed to be able to just get a CableCARD, but the cable companies fought tooth and nail to force you to
Cable DVRs have to actually capture and record the signal into a ring buffer, and if it isn't integrated into a cable box[0], it has to come out of one, with a complicated setup of IR blasters to have your DVR tune the cable box to a specific channel. And of course you have to actually pause the video or record it in advance in order to get commercial-skipping capability.
Cable ad skipping is entirely a technical problem, streaming ad skipping is entirely a legal one.
[0] You were supposed to be able to just get a CableCARD, but the cable companies fought tooth and nail to force you to