General Discussion

Lint Head

(15,064 posts) Sat Dec 14, 2013, 02:55 PM Dec 2013

Is it just me or have the News outlets been waylaid by movie and music promotion.

I've noticed that CNN, MSNBC and other "news" outlets have been spending a lot of time promoting Beyonce's surprise release, Anchorman2 and American Hustle among other money making entertainment ventures lately. And not just in an entertainment segment of the news. These channels promote themselves as "news" outlets and actually fall under the protection of a free press. Hope I'm not splitting hairs here but greed and commercialism seems to be creeping more and more into the serious job of reporting things people "need" to know. First you see a free 10 minute report on a movie then another 2 minutes on a commercial promoting it. Also these reports are nothing more than free advertising for commercially profitable corporations.

I know there are enough national and local news stories out there to keep a reporting team busy and also less repetitive than they currently are. The reporting seems lazy and getting lazier. Reporting trips to hot spots around the world also seem to be getting more 'gimmicky' than they used to be.

The best stories I've seen lately were Skype reports from regular people. One example was the helicopter crash at the Scottish pub.

I think we are seeing the slow death of real news and media corporations are creeping toward total commercialization.

News isn't profitable.

5 replies

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Highlight:

Is it just me or have the News outlets been waylaid by movie and music promotion. (Original Post) Lint Head Dec 2013 OP

Corporate synergy, baby. Infotainment. Comrade Grumpy Dec 2013 #1

The problem is that there's no need for a 24 hour "news" channel. lightcameron Dec 2013 #2

ABC Evening News Friday night was pushing the new Disney movie bermudat Dec 2013 #3

When the same entity owns the news channel/station as owns the movie, that is to be expected. RC Dec 2013 #4

I think you misunderstand the mission and as a consequence see symptoms TheKentuckian Dec 2013 #5

Comrade Grumpy

(13,184 posts)

1. Corporate synergy, baby. Infotainment.

Reply to Lint Head (Original post)

Sat Dec 14, 2013, 02:58 PM

Dec 2013

A new news network has popped up on my cable: Fusion TV. It's still a corporate thang--a joint project of ABC, Disney, and Univsion--but it seems pretty thoughtful and refreshing. Grumpy sez check it out.

lightcameron

(224 posts)

2. The problem is that there's no need for a 24 hour "news" channel.

Reply to Lint Head (Original post)

Sat Dec 14, 2013, 03:04 PM

Dec 2013

There simply isn't that much news. That's why many of the hours are filled by talking-head propagandists for the two parties on FOX and MSNBC. Trying to fill 24 hours with "news" coverage forces them to sensationalize stories. That's why they cover car chases. That's why they can make it SEEM like something that happens in a small community is worthy of national coverage, trying to make people outraged over it.

People tune into these channels to have their views validated, all the while allowing the hosts to get them all riled up. I don't know why anyone tortures themselves with this crap.

I long ago blocked those channels from showing up on my TV.

As for them promoting stuff, that's their only way of making money. They'll never be premium pay channels. Not enough people watch as it is, and fewer would pay for it.

bermudat

(1,329 posts)

3. ABC Evening News Friday night was pushing the new Disney movie

Reply to Lint Head (Original post)

Sat Dec 14, 2013, 03:06 PM

Dec 2013

about Walt and the author of Mary Poppins. Very telling in that every time
the author was mentioned she was described as prickly, obstreperous, finicky
and opinionated. The horror! Imagine a woman having her own opinion about
how she wanted her book portrayed, who does she think she is? ABC News
has about 5-7min of actual news in their 30min program.

RC

(25,592 posts)

4. When the same entity owns the news channel/station as owns the movie, that is to be expected.

Reply to Lint Head (Original post)

Sat Dec 14, 2013, 03:34 PM

Dec 2013

This country really needs to start breaking up the monopolies.

TheKentuckian

(25,029 posts)

5. I think you misunderstand the mission and as a consequence see symptoms

Reply to Lint Head (Original post)

Sat Dec 14, 2013, 04:31 PM

Dec 2013

as root.

The mission is misdirection, confusion, distortion, misinformation, propaganda, profit, and DISTRACTION.

They haven't been waylaid a single bit, the stories and focus are the fruit of the mission not a bug.

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