We currently stand less than a week from Inauguration Day, and the excitement is palpable, repeat, palpable.
I remember watching the last two inaugurations on TV, flipping around the different news channels to see each one's unique coverage of this historic event.
It seems that if MSNBC has its way, however, a lot fewer people will be flipping around from channel to channel this January 20, thanks to two very intriguing agreements.
The first is between MSNBC and Screenvision, which will put the network's coverage (free of charge) in 27 theaters across the country. For us in Utah, the closest options would be Denver, Phoenix, or LA. No love for the SLC.
The second agreement is between MSNBC and Starbucks. The coffee chain agreed to broadcast MSNBC's inauguration coverage in 650 stores nationwide.
Why such a big push by the Peacock News Network? To keep up the momentum that made it cable's fastest-growing channel of 2008.
"We have to get our product out there and expose it to more people," said MSNBC president Phil Griffin.
In our class, we talked so much about questioning the motives of the major news networks. Were they providing news for the sake of informing the public, or to boost ratings and advertising revenue? At first glance, it appears that MSNBC is doing just that.
Looking at it another way, however, one must remember the historicity of this particular event. This will be an inauguration unlike any other in our history. Not only is it for an African-American, but it is for a change that many people have wanted for some time. As such, should MSNBC be lauded for its attempts to make this event as accessible as possible?
One more factoid before I sign off:
Even after repeated charges of left-wing bias throughout the campaign, there will be an interesting wrinkle in MSNBC's coverage, Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann are slated to anchor the goings-on from Washington. Hmmmmmmmmm......
The second agreement is between MSNBC and Starbucks. The coffee chain agreed to broadcast MSNBC's inauguration coverage in 650 stores nationwide.
Why such a big push by the Peacock News Network? To keep up the momentum that made it cable's fastest-growing channel of 2008.
"We have to get our product out there and expose it to more people," said MSNBC president Phil Griffin.
In our class, we talked so much about questioning the motives of the major news networks. Were they providing news for the sake of informing the public, or to boost ratings and advertising revenue? At first glance, it appears that MSNBC is doing just that.
Looking at it another way, however, one must remember the historicity of this particular event. This will be an inauguration unlike any other in our history. Not only is it for an African-American, but it is for a change that many people have wanted for some time. As such, should MSNBC be lauded for its attempts to make this event as accessible as possible?
One more factoid before I sign off:
Even after repeated charges of left-wing bias throughout the campaign, there will be an interesting wrinkle in MSNBC's coverage, Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann are slated to anchor the goings-on from Washington. Hmmmmmmmmm......
No comments:
Post a Comment