Posted on 03/19/2009 7:45:38 AM PDT by Dr. Zzyzx
Networks reluctantly shuffle for Obama speech
Networks are pulling their shows over to the side of the road to make room for the lights and sirens of president Barack Obama's latest primetime address.
Obama will take to the air next Tuesday evening on four broadcast networks and bump the most popular series on television, Fox's "American Idol."
Fulfilling their scheduling civic duty is starting to seem increasingly cumbersome to broadcasters, however. Between a struggling economy and ratings sagging in midseason, every interruption costs networks advertising dollars and momentum.
"At a time when we're struggling not only financially but to build audiences, this doesn't help on either front," one network executive said. "These repeated interruptions -- and the rumor of even more to come -- really make it difficult to build audience flow and loyalty. We will all lose one or two million dollars for this."
The presidential election resulted in a fall season regularly interrupted by political news coverage, followed by primetime inauguration coverage, then two primetime speeches about the economy. The White House requesting yet another primetime slot, during sweeps and right after several shows dropped to new lows in last night's ratings, has some executives exasperated.
"I believe in the president and his policies, and as broadcasters we have a responsibility to provide the airtime," said another network insider. "But these frequent primetime requests are wreaking serious havoc with our schedule and our advertisers. Ratings are down everywhere and the airtime is costing us all significant dollars when we can least afford it."
Here's how the Big Four will juggle the speech:
>> Fox is arguably the most impacted network and took the longest to agree to airing the speech. The network will move Tuesday's two-hour performance episode of "Idol" to Wednesday, and the Wednesday episode to Thursday at 8 p.m. That preempts "Lie to Me" and "Bones" and puts mega-rated "Idol" against the mega-rated NCAA finals (which neither Fox nor CBS are all that thrilled about).
>> NBC will move Tuesday's two-hour "Biggest Loser" to 9 p.m., preempting "Law & Order: SVU."
>> CBS likewise is dumping its 10 p.m. procedural ("Without a Trace") and moving its two earlier dramas, "NCIS" and "The Mentalist," forward an hour.
>> ABC will cancel previously planned back-to-back episodes of "According to Jim."
Hey, we all just looooooove listening to the Dear Leader drone on for hours at a time. Nothing we would rather do!
“NBC will move Tuesday’s two-hour “Biggest Loser” to 9 p.m.”
Sounds like they will have back-to-back showings of big losers
That alone speaks volumes...
How’s this for a novel idea. How about the big four networks take turns broadcasting the Dear Leader’s latest Inspiring Address. It would still be available to everybody in the country, but they would not be losing all this money.
Argh! Beat me by 7 seconds! :)
Serves them right.
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NBC will move Tuesday’s two-hour “Biggest Loser” to 9 p.m.,
...and replace it with the real “Biggest Loser”.
Probably worth a 500 point drop in the Dow.
Why they grow a pair and tell him to go stuff it?
What the heck is Obama’s telepromter addressing the nation for this time?
“Does this guy Obama ever shut up?” - Fidel Castro
[Why they grow a pair and tell him to go stuff it?]
If I remember correctly, that is exactly what they did to President Bush.
Don’t worry, since Obama started commanding the airwaves on a whim, I quit watching their shows.
Too much Obama all the time.
Remember the networks dissed many of Bush’s speeches and press conferences and refused to carry them?
You media assholes elected this incompetent twerp! Now suck on it you pigs!
Problem with that is the lowest rated show on the night will be the One and the One and his followers can’t have that... :)
MSM just reaping what they sowed. LOL
When is this hack going to stop campaigning and start running the country?
He picks Tuesday night’s Idol spot in hope of ensnaring the “innocent” non-political TV watcher. They tune in to see Idol, and voila, a Press Conference instead. Will they be mad? I’d imagine most would. His hope, however, is that they’ll continue to watch his highness and be enthralled...definitely a whiff or narcissism in the decision of time slot.
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