For the 2008 or 2012 elections, will there still be any such thing as Broadcast News Networks?
I've thought about this several times in the last couple of days, primarily in the context of who are the biggest losers in this election season. There is a good potential that the MSM is the biggest loser. But we live in a capitalist country and supply and demand will ultimately rule. For instance, how many views will watch FoxNews if they had real conservatives. Imagine Rush Limbaugh replacing O'Reilly. Imagine Sean Hannity with out Colmes. Imagine anything other Gretta. The ratings for FoxNews would go through the roof. Concurrently, it would be the demise of CNN, CNBC, & PMSNBC. Unless, CNN, CNBC, & PMSNBC countered with better conservative host during prime-time. The same would be true for the traditional national evening news.
I guess this really doesn't directly answer your question. Let's say that Viacom can't get off its liberal agenda, then CBS may still have a news division, but far fewer people will watch it - fewer than today. What will the shareholders of Viacom do? I tell you one thing, I am certainly not going to buy Viacom stock for two reasons. 1.) They have a failing product 2.) I can't bring myself to buy a stock that aids a liberal agenda. I think it will ultimately boil down to shareholders forcing changes to remain competitive. Some will change, others will be beat by the competition.
Personally, I hope the MSM media morphs into a conservative MSM. Imagine ABCCBSNBC all trying to out do each other in being conservative. Competition can do wonderful things. FoxNews might even be tolerable to watch all evening long. (I can't watch O'Reilly, I turn off Hannity and Colmes as soon as Colmes comes on, and as soon as Greta comes on with her ugly botched plastic surgery face I either go to bed or change the channel.)
Uh.....yeah.
They aren't going away.