President Obama’s aides have alerted the broadcasters that he wants to address the nation in prime time three times this month, a move that could cost the networks more than $9 million in lost ad revenue, the Washington Post says. The plans call for a press conference on Monday, a brief appearance on Feb. 16 and an address on Feb. 24. “His economic stimulus package apparently does not extend to the TV networks, one network executive tells the paper.
—Jon Lafayette
Obama Talks Could Cost Networks
Feb 6, 2009 • Post A Comment
WTF? OK, he has gone too far this time. First he costs the broadcasters millions in making them continue to broadcast in analog and to add insult to injury he wants to commandeer air time in prime? I have to say, I was middle of the road before he was president, but with everything he has done for “change” so far I am leaning farther and farther right!
Joanna, you either lose a few million now, or you lose hundreds of millions later. The economy is in a real tailspin, and if companies don’t have products to advertise… well, you get my drift.
Susana, I could understand one prime time address, but him taking three separate occasions is too much. Besides, talking isn’t going to help. We need action.
I have to agree with Joanna, at least on a point or two. I can see one address. But three times, in Primetime? Political Watchers will find what they want, where they want. The Switch to Digital is a huge mistake. It is the needs of the many, being sacrificed for the whines of the few. Last time I checked, this is still a free market economy. What’s that called again? Oh Yeah, Capitolism. Survival of the fittest. The President should address the nation once, than make the rounds on the talk show circuit. I can promise you this. Network numbers will plummet with each successive appearence, prime time, on the big 5. All this will do is, drive viewers to USA, TNT, Spike, etc. If I was in charge of those networks, I’d be thrilled.
Oh my dear Lord — how shallow, parochial and dumb can people be? Silly me, I thought TV and radio stations were using the PUBLIC airwaves and consequently were supposed to act in the PUBLIC INTEREST.
Guess it doesn’t matter that we’re in the midst of the worst economic times most of us have seen in our lifetimes — how presumptuous of the PRESIDENT to ask for prime time to talk to the American people as he struggles to fix the economy. Who does he think he is, anyway?
I suppose we should all still be steamed that George Bush asked for, and received, precious prime time minutes for a farewell talk to the nation. Look what it did to the prime time schedule that night! We had to wait 15 minutes LONGER THAN WE WANTED to see Gil Grissom’s farewell from “C.S.I.”
Rich Emory, You are both forgiven (Multiple entry’s) and now, forgotten. You are right. The Airwaves belong to “We, the people” Not President Obama and the Democratic Party. Like I said earlier, fine. Grab some time and adress the nation but…3 times in a month? What about Radio? What about Cable? What about the Democratic Network, MSNBC? The Airwaves belong to all, not just the Dems. The democrats of the country already know what President Obama wants to say and the republicans could not care less. The rest of us really get tired of Washington political wanks talking, just to hear them selves talk. Shut up already. Those airwaves belong to me as well.