Comments on: Group wants Portland TV stations’ license renewals denied

By: lucy

lucy — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 12:07:09 +0000

Wow, thanks for the excellent information!

By: Nick Geidner

Nick Geidner — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 02:38:27 +0000

1) Those are political ads that are profitable, not political coverage. The stations coverage does not drive the ads. I think over the last number of years the ads have driven the political coverage. That is why we are seeing more and more horserace coverage than issues coverage. The ads are driving the news. The news is not creating the ads. Political coverage is not profitable; political ads are.

2) JIB - I don’t understand what your saying. We do own the airways and I think with actions liike what the Oregon ARM is doing is what reminds people of that. As for the regulation of profanity, either side of the argument is the same. Pro-regulation) We own the airwaves and it is our responsibility to protect kids. Anti-regulation) They are public airwaves so there shouldn’t be any censorship. The market place should make the decision by not watching.

So I don’t understand what you are saying.

By: JIB

JIB — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:51:22 +0000

Ah, the public interest. I keep forgetting that “WE” own the airwaves. I’ll remember that when we discuss all these court cases regarding the regulation of profanity on TV.

By: Hussman

Hussman — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 13:22:58 +0000

Here in Iowa the race was nasty this year. The candidates didn’t necessarily want coverage this year, including a debate on our airwaves. We were forced to do a special show.

And I disagree that local politics is not profitable for TV stations. How much political dollars were spent at your station this year?

By: Nick Geidner

Nick Geidner — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 04:23:08 +0000

Covering local and state politics is NEVER going to be profitiable for the local stations. NEVER. And most people watching don’t care about local politics and don’t find local political coverage interesting.

BUT, the local affiliates were entrusted with OUR airwaves with the agreement that they operate in the public interest, convenience and necessity. That includes coverage of local politics. I think the Oregon ARM makes a great argument.

I also agree with Steve. Political coverage needs to get away from the horserace coverage and really take a look at the issues. The horserace is just a way to try to boost ratings and sensationalize local politicals. Issue coverage is actually in the local interest, convenience and necessity.