Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

Inaugural TV Deals Bring Big Bucks, Controversy

Share

(Newser) – Barack Obama’s inaugural organizing team has struck the most lucrative series of TV deals ever seen for its slate of inaugural events, raking in more than $5 million from various networks, the Washington Post reports. HBO landed the juiciest prize, paying $2.5 million for exclusive rights to tomorrow’s concert at the Lincoln Memorial. But criticism is flying that the inauguration team is turning into a made-for-TV cash-grab.

“I'm extremely disturbed by it,” said one advocate of media-ownership diversity. “The Lincoln Memorial has such significance, and to not make (the concert) available to the entire country just seems elitist.” HBO says it’s encouraging satellite and digital cable providers to carry the concert for free, but the roughly 40% of cable subscribers without digital service are out of luck.

Americans Aaron Pervin, left, and Kathryn Lankester, right, who supported Barak Obama, watch a TV screen during Obama's victory speech in Hanoi, Vietnam, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008.
Americans Aaron Pervin, left, and Kathryn Lankester, right, who supported Barak Obama, watch a TV screen during Obama's victory speech in Hanoi, Vietnam, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
Iraqi men watch as Democratic Sen. and presidential hopeful Barack Obama is seen on the TV screens at an electronic shop in Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2008.
Iraqi men watch as Democratic Sen. and presidential hopeful Barack Obama is seen on the TV screens at an electronic shop in Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alaa al-Marjani)
A U.S soldier watches on TV a news image of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008.
A U.S soldier watches on TV a news image of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
Large TV screens show images of U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at an electronics shop in Tokyo, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008.
Large TV screens show images of U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at an electronics shop in Tokyo, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
Newser001
Jan 17, 09 12:18 PM CST
My understanding, it defers costs you and I ultimately pay through the Federal budget... It will be interesting to see an open accounting, when over. But consider... there's never been anything like what we're seeing... Obama is focused on embracing America and bringing us ALL together... A very unique concept and approach, no? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Mad
Jan 17, 09 3:17 PM CST
Newser001 (Wolff?) said: "Obama is focused on embracing America and bringing us ALL together..." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- All of us with subscriptions to cable digital service! LOL Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
SPH
Jan 17, 09 5:02 PM CST
I don't need to see it live (or at all for that matter). Just bring it on and rinse out the Bush catastrophe. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

169 Stories

tv preview

 'Pathetic' Seinfeld 
 Reunion Invades Curb 

HBO show resuscitates Larry David's other brainchild 10 years later

Oct 4, 09 3:01 PM CDT
(Newser) - Tonight's episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm will go farther than usual to satisfy your Seinfeld craving, but it's hardly the real thing—nor is it meant to be. The eagerly awaited reunion arc kicks off with Jerry Seinfeld himself deeming the very idea "desperate" and "pathetic,"... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • television • cable TV • HBO • Jerry Seinfeld • Larry David • Curb Your Enthusiasm • Seinfeld • Julia Louis-Dreyfus • sitcom • Michael Richards • network television • sitcoms • Jason Alexander • improvisation

'late show' sneak peek

 'I Was Black Before the Election' 

Obama and Letterman tackle the tough topics, including potatoes

Sep 21, 09 5:53 PM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama's media blitz continues tonight on The Late Show With David Letterman, where he'll remind the host, "I think it's important to realize that I was actually black before the election." Snippets CBS released after this afternoon's taping reveal lighthearted moments and more serious stretches, as well... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • entertainment • television • Barack Obama • CBS • late night talk show • late night host • David Letterman • health care reform • Malia Obama • Sasha Obama • President Obama • Late Show • Ed Sullivan Theater

 Sissy Spacek Joins Big Love 

Actress will play lobbyist in show's 4th season

Sep 17, 09 12:41 PM CDT
(Newser) - Sissy Spacek will join the cast of HBO’s Big Love, the LA Times reports. Spacek will be a regular cast member on the show’s upcoming fourth season, playing a DC lobbyist. Her first appearance comes in the third episode. Spacek raises the cast’s profile considerably: she won... More »

MORE ABOUT:
television • Academy Awards • HBO • Big Love • TV series • Oscars

169 Stories


How to watch the inauguration online
CNET

Comcast will broadcast HBO event for free
CBS4

Inauguration could set ratings record
Los Angeles Times


US  •  Media 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

 
television • Barack Obama • HBO • inauguration • inaugural balls • inaugural events

from our news partners