Posted on 09/14/2010 1:38:53 PM PDT by Clive
Ever since the announcement that Sun TV was going to become a version of Fox News North, commentators have had a field day.
“Fox News North” is an outsider’s term, usually meant disparagingly, though the revised channel could do a lot worse than emulate the most successful TV channel in America — and these days the fairest and most trusted.
Those who malign Fox News the most, are people who watch it the least. If you are a TV news and opinion junkie, no network other than Fox News is worth watching.
I guess that tells you a lot about me, but that’s the way it is.
The new Sun channel promises to be “controversially Canadian”, concentrating on “hard news during the day and straight talk” opinion shows in the evening, starting Jan. 1.
One hopes this is true. Declarations on intent don’t always materialize in fact.
The Sun TV channel got a considerable boost the other day when it was revealed that a far-left New York group called Avaaz, urges Canadians and the government to block the licence it says will bring “American-style hate media onto our airwaves.”
Backed by billionaire George Soros who never met a leftist cause he wouldn’t support, the campaign is replete with phony Internet petitions and forged names.
“SunMedia” is even identified as “Suncor”, which might surprise the oil company.
Arguably our most famous novelist, Margaret Atwood (also a lover of leftist causes), signed the petition: “Stop ‘Fox News North.’” While appalling in one way, it is invaluable publicity for the new channel.
Others have given views on what the channel should do.
I’d argue that first: Get a new logo.
The present logo is associated in the minds of many with Sun TV’s heavy reliance on re-runs and stuff from the archives — old Hitchcock movies repeated again and again, and programs like Super Dave comedy, and the Dear John sitcom, all of which may be nostalgic but are hardly cutting edge.
A new logo might better prepare viewers for the “hard news, straight talk” promises — the present logo is a reminder of ancient reruns.
Newspapers are experiencing tough times these days.
When the Sun first started, it (inadvertently?) managed to bridge the gap between print with TV — short stories and columns, opinions of writers, irreverence, lack of sacred cows, controversy, taking issues seriously but not itself, a sense of fun and adventure, rapport with readers.
The Sun caught the wave of the times.
Hopefully, the new Sun TV can do the same.
I’d urge they emulate talk shows like Don Imus’ — different from conventional phone and talk shows, in that Imus chats with people, needles them, jokes, establishes a bond.
His guests are knowledgeable, opinionated, witty, entertaining and informative.
I’d also advise interviewing journalists about news of the day. Especially print journalists, who always know more than they can write about, and have valid opinions about stories they are covering. And they babble like brooks for token fees.
How about reviving the one-hour interview — popular in the old days when Walter Lippmann held forth on the world, or Peter Ustinov mesmerized audiences, or David Niven.
These have been forgotten — but knowledgeable raconteurs are out there, waiting to be discovered by an engaging host.
(I have a CD interview with Angola’s UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi, since killed, done over 20 years ago that is a brilliant summation of Africa and the world, but which was never aired. Pity. Similar potential is abundant today.)
Working journalists often have much more of worth to say than “experts” like police or politicians, all of whom have agendas. Journalists tend to think independently, allowing viewer more nuance, originality and irreverence. And they’re cheap.
Anyway, it’s an inexpensive source of potentially unique programming.
Canadian commentary shows usually have too many guests. One — or at most two — knowledgeable guests provide more substance than three or four talking heads.
For starters, Sun TV might get Ezra Levant to interview George Soros.
Fireworks!
-
Fox Business is fairly good too.
If Soros opposes it, I support it.
His reference to a “1 hour interview show” is clearly based on the Charlie Rose show, which has a rock steady audience of fans. If it could be duplicated, it would make a good foundation show for a network.
LOL!
Clive, are you going to the Ezra Levant Tribute Dinner?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.