This week, the plug was supposed to be pulled on analog TV and we were going to be boldly thrust into a pixelated world of wonderful digital cable. But, um, we weren’t ready. Despite a year of warning, coupons from the government and a Funny or Die sketch, giving up analog was just too much. Maybe it’s a nostalgia for the good old days. Brooke remembers when all you had to do to get quality TV signal was bend a coat hanger just right and stick it out the window. I picture our heroine, fresh out of college, living in the big city, wearing a tinfoil hat so she could watch “Face the Nation”.
Now, people have a few extra months to decide what to do about their TV signal. Some have opted to give up on TV. Others got the coupons and the converter. Others are upgrading to cable. Was this all a poly by Comcast?
It’s entirely possible. Brooke interviews Daniel Roth about the service provider that everyone (including Bob) loves to hate. I know it would make Bob really happy to do this story, but in the name of journalistic integrity, he can’t. He’s probably sitting on the other side of the studio, pouting. Brooke is doing an awesome job, though.
The best part of all of this? The FCC is totally on our side. They think that Comcast has to be stopped. It’s like they raised their rates when they moved and didn’t tell them. Even Obama seems to be in on it. Is there anyone who likes Comcast? Has anyone had a good experience? Does everyone else feel like they’re paying way too much per month for internet access?
Bob was laying low during the Comcast story, possibly because he’s spent all week working on the segments about ways to save the newspaper industry. We’ve mentioned in the past how often Bob likes to retutn to the theme of general hopelessness plaguing the industry. I can’t tell you what kind of mood that puts me in on Sunday nights, before I get up Monday morning to go try to save said industry with the power of social networking.
Anyway – someone at OTM was wise enough to suggest that rather than let Bob get redundant with his topics that the death of newspapers could make a catchy series. With a theme song. The song is about as slow as said industry death and sounds a bit like it’s being sung by some really sad chorus girls that have been deprived of their boas during the financial crisis. For the record, this story is called “Getting Desperate”.
There are several ideas being tossed around right now. Micropayments? Online ad sales? There’s always Kachingle, which is launching next month. It sounds like a cool idea – kind of like a public radio pledge drive.
The next story is one asking whether or not newspapers even need to be saved. I’m glad Brooke is doing this story, just for a change of pace. Honestly, I’m torn between the Kachingle lady and Steve Coll. The newspaper is a product of a particular time, and the model isn’t really working. Shouldn’t we be trying to fund new and better content? I totally agree with needing hyper local coverage. The New York Times isn’t going to focus on Mayor Herenton’s latest antics or our surplus of stupid crime.
All I know is that I’m glad to be working in this industry at such a pivotal time. Granted, I wish funding was taken care of, but this is exciting.
This recap was written by Kerry who starts her awesome new job in audience development tomorrow. It was edited by Matthew, who only looked up from playing games on his phone long enough to make faces at the newspaper song.
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