100 days - and a night of TV devoted to it (but not Fox)
In years past, TV news has been criticized for not paying enough attention to the nation's national political life. But that has not been the case since Barack Obama came on the national scene as a candidate, and tonight will be no exception as the major cable channels and networks (except Fox and CW) cover the president's conference and offer their own specials on Obama's first 100 days in office.
Which network or channel will you be watching to see and hear Obama? Or, will you spend your night with Fox starting with the crime drama Lie to Me at 8 followed by American Idol at 9?
Or maybe, you will split the difference -- watching the president's press conference at 8 and then go to Fox for Idol at 9?
As was the case in primary and caucus nights, CNN is the channel that will be offering the most coverage of politics starting at 7 p.m. with Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, John King and Soledad O’Brien hosting an interactive program aimed at having TV viewers and online users grade Obama's first 100 days themselves. CNN is urging viewers to watch on TV with their computers at hand to join in rating the president's performance.
CNN also promises its "Magic Wall" technology will on display as it charts the president’s first 100 days at-a-glance with an electronic calendar.
As troubled as I was at first about Fox deciding to go its own way and ignore the president's press conference, I cannot wait to see how we, the people, respond tonight. It would be hard to imagine a time when there would be more interest in what the president has to say about trying to lead the nation out of the mess in which we are now mired.
Will we be able to put down our fun and games long enough to listen? Or, is that an unfair question?
Can we have it both ways with the technology available -- watching our entertainment shows on Fox, and then catching up on the news online or by watching a channel like CNN that is dedicated to news and information first?
A story on ABC's Web site quotes an unnamed source saying Fox could lose $2 to $3 million by carrying the press conference, but the report offers no confirmation for those figures, and they seem greatly overstated. In fact, it is ridiculous to be using an unnamed source to make such a claim. If you can't get it in the record, don't use it, because you are probably being used by the person providing that figure. ABC News should have higher standards for its online efforts.
Furthermore, while Wednesday is in the May sweeps ratings period, the networks have not been getting top advertising dollars for their prime time shows this month -- making the May sweeps issue essentially moot.
Believe me, no one is lining up to pay top dollar for Lie to Me, so Fox could have carried the press conference at 8 p.m., and still made a fortune off Idol at 9.
Here's a link to the story at abcnews.go.com -- for what it is worth:
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/IndustryInfo/story?id=7451512&page=1
(Above: Associated Press photo of President Barack Obama Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden by Charles Dharapak)
Comments
Quite frankly, I'm Obama'd out. I understand he's an historic president at an historic time, but I can stand a lot less of him and the fawning over him from pretty much everyone. It's enough already.
While these specials are obstensibly "reviews" of his job performance over the last 100 days, it's still too short a period to judge how he's done with any real perspective, and it's doubtful his shortcomings will be highlighted with Fox sitting this one out (ba-dum-bum), so in my opinion there's not enough there there to make a whole night of it for one channel let alone all of them.
Posted by: brstevens | April 29, 2009 10:05 AM
Oh, forgot to mention that I'll probably be watching the Orioles play the Angels instead of either Obama or AI, on non-HD MASN2. Because there's not enough pain in my life as it is.
Oh, my goodness, how could I have forgotten about the O's? (Kidding). But I love your line about pain. I'm a TV fan, too, of the O's. Thanks. Z
Posted by: brstevens | April 29, 2009 10:42 AM
While I suspect Fox's decision not to carry the press conference has more to do with politics than ratings, I agree that there's no reason for all the broadcast networks to carry the press conference. The CW isn't carrying it either, but no one is making an issue out of that. Between the 24-hour news channels and the Internet, I'm sure people can find the press conference if they want to see it.
Hi Neal, Thanks. Yes, I did mention CW, but you are right, it is not treated as an issue because historically CW never carried prtesidential events. But it is true: There are plenty of places to see Obama tonight. Z
Posted by: Neal | April 29, 2009 11:15 AM
I think I will watch if it is on before I go to work. I think it is important to see what has been accomplished in the first 100 days and to see where we are headed, but I might watch the FOX show at the same time in the right-hand corner of my TV screen. Sherry T.
Great idea. If only I had that capability on my TV. Good suggestion, though, for those who do. Thanks. Sherry. Z
Posted by: Sherry Telliocci | April 29, 2009 11:29 AM
We know Fox is totally Republican. It's a same because Fox proves that there is no honesty or fairness in journalism.
Fox station and owners are very immature.
Posted by: D.A. Carey | April 29, 2009 3:01 PM
Other networks should charge Obama for the revenue they lose from commercials. Obama has had more free press time than any other President.
As for Fox I support their decision. I know it was not personal, just business. It is fitting, though, that Fox will be showing "Lie to Me" which is about people who aren't fooled by deceptive psychopathic characters. Obama supporters should TIVO his speech, watch "Lie to Me" then replay Obama's speech. See if you learn anything.
Posted by: Lyn | April 29, 2009 4:44 PM
To begin with:
In response to brstevens- it has become a tradition to scan the overall performance of a president during the first 100 days in office. It it seen as setting the stage in some sense; how will this president compose himself in the face of overwhelming obstacles? And while Obama has become a national figure, he still a politician and not a celebrity. As the American public we cannot be so quick to tire of his media presence. We just need to be more selective about what we pay attention to.
In response the broadcasting: I agree with both brstevens and neal that all networks do not need to be broadcasting the event tonight, but it seems that only cable channels are showing the press conference. Thus I am conflicted. What about those who cannot afford cable television or who do not have regular internet access? It seems this decision is widening the gap between the privileged elite who have great stake in politics and the working class or poor families who do not have access to be so involved.
Hi Miriam, Thanks for the thoughtful analysis. Z
Posted by: Miriam | April 29, 2009 5:26 PM
no Orioles conflict....they already lost this afternoon. Aren't ABC, CBS & NBC non-cable channels(and pro-Obama channels)? I think those channels are open to anyone with an antenna.
Posted by: ncbeth | April 29, 2009 8:14 PM
I just watched "Lie to Me" and I didn't even have it tuned to Fox - oh wait that was the Presidential News Conference
Hi Wetzel, I should have guessed if anyone was going to go there, it might be you. I still smiled. Thanks. Z
Posted by: Wetzel | April 29, 2009 9:13 PM