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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

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analysis

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Matt Taibbi

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editorial

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|NEXT STORY »

Networks Complain About Obama Hour

Broadcasters say 'overexposed' prez wastes valuable time

By Kevin Spak| Posted Aug 3, 09 10:28 AM CDT|

(Newser) – Networks are not happy about the primetime hour that President Obama's July 22 news conference took up, reports Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post. Rahm Emanuel called the top brass at all three networks to ensure they carried the event. The networks both resent the pressure and complain that they’re not getting their money’s worth. “There was nothing” newsworthy, says one CBS VP. “There hardly ever is these days.”

News divisions increasingly worry Obama is using them to repeat his messages. With four news conferences already, each in pricey prime time, Obama’s “at risk of overexposure,” says NBC’s Washington bureau chief. “We would feel better” if officials “were approaching us with any sense that they had something new to say.” Execs also complain that Obama doesn't informally check with them before scheduling the conferences, as President Bush did.

President Barack Obama responds to questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

President Barack Obama responds to questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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58 comments

VIEWING:

dontlikeyou
Aug 3, 09 10:30 AM CDT

Bad sign for Mr. Obama when his biggest fans at the networks are telling him ENOUGH ALREADY! Reply

-7

IN RESPONSE:

PosterNutbag
Aug 3, 09 10:37 AM CDT

Doesn't this disprove the whole "liberal media" notion that you rightwingers cling to?

+14

IN RESPONSE:

prowlerzee
Aug 3, 09 10:39 AM CDT

The networks could easily make this interesting viewing. Quit kowtowing and ask the O-man some real, probing questions. Especially since Zero *hates* that and will get flustered and testy.

-3

IN RESPONSE:

UrUndertaker
Aug 3, 09 10:51 AM CDT

@ prowlerzee "Quit kowtowing and ask the O-man some real, probing questions." Oh like they did when Bush took us to war on false information? Is that what you truly want or you just b*tching because your hero was a disgrace and a war criminal. The Media wants ratings and all Obama can give is truth, something unseen for 8 years thus people have a hard time handling it. Obama is attempting to get past right wing lies and deception yet with the brown shirt clowns such as yourself that is a tough job as he doesn't have time to help you to learn to think independently.

IN RESPONSE:

jaguarj
Aug 3, 09 11:28 AM CDT

OH W-a-h..at least he says something besides get in front of the camera with a shitty smirk on his face like Bush did and keep saying for MONTHS..the economy is great....things in Iraq are great..what a lieing bull shiter!!

IN RESPONSE:

JonmarkP
Aug 3, 09 12:11 PM CDT

Who gives a rat's ass what the networks think. Nobody watches TV any more, anyway.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 3, 09 10:49 PM CDT

Oh undertaker, I'm sure you fully understand Bush and the whole war. When you grow up, your parents will explain to you. Poster if you don't think the majority of the on-air media are liberal then you are not reading the studies done at the Columbia School of Journalism which not then sustained the notion. The media run 70-85% liberal nationwide. Some small markets are more even, but really the fact that they are publicly "advising" Obama not to Overexpose shows that they are supporting him.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Shannonals
Aug 3, 09 10:56 PM CDT

Oxymoron statement dontlikeyou.

IN RESPONSE:

teachingazteca
Aug 4, 09 8:30 AM CDT

@poster- they DON'T have to show it, they CHOOSE to.

IN RESPONSE:

matteo
Aug 4, 09 10:51 AM CDT

who has a billionaire that owns the media and reaches almost 1 bil people with lies ?? AND where were all these people in the past 8 yrs that sank the whole world.....shutting up because of profits !! good, well done thats the way to think !!

| 0 minutes ago

dontlikeyou
Aug 3, 09 10:32 AM CDT

//// Execs also complain that Obama doesn't informally check with them before scheduling the conferences, as President Bush did.///// What? The liberal messiah is expected to check with the networks before demanding airtime. How dare they question the annoited one. Reply

-7

| 0 minutes ago

Toon
Aug 3, 09 10:34 AM CDT

Networks owners are worried that Obama will cause the value of the insurance stock they own to fall. Reply

+10

| 0 minutes ago

Timinator2K
Aug 3, 09 10:51 AM CDT

Prez. Oblahblah talks A LOT, says NOTHING...except, submit to MY will! Reply

-10

IN RESPONSE:

Amber
Aug 3, 09 10:54 AM CDT

"Prez. Oblahblah talks A LOT, says NOTHING" then you have much in common

+13

IN RESPONSE:

Caps
Aug 3, 09 12:21 PM CDT

Timinator2K, and you think the red neck cowboy had a lot to say???? All he could do was grunt and smirk. He couldn't even put a complete sentence together. Get a life and sit back and enjoy the next 8 years. It's great to have someone with brains.

IN RESPONSE:

Toon
Aug 3, 09 4:25 PM CDT

worse than that, Caps, he spoke that poorly while using the aid of a teleprompter. Was he too vain to wear glasses or were his reading skills that poor?

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 3, 09 10:52 PM CDT

Caps who are you taking about. Obama without a Telpromptor is far less lucid then Palin, let alone Bush. And he lies, all the time. The videos now showing up in You tube now show how duplictious he is.

-2

| 0 minutes ago

OmegaMan
Aug 3, 09 11:02 AM CDT

What? Their getting tired of the narcissist and chief already? Reply

-4

| 0 minutes ago

emptycalm
Aug 3, 09 11:03 AM CDT

So it's more important to get our shitty reality shows in than to watch the president telling us what he is doing? Go America! Reply

IN RESPONSE:

newzjunkie
Aug 3, 09 3:07 PM CDT

Just one problem, the president isn't telling us what he is doing, he just rattles on saying nothing, just ideas and things to pump him up. He has had 4 major press conferences in 6 months, his predecessor had 4 press conferences in 8 years. Enough already Obama, please take the time to learn your job before speaking like your campaigning for the job.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

emptycalm
Aug 3, 09 8:50 PM CDT

He probably hasn't. I haven't watched any of them because it's all garbage anyway. My point is that our priorities are very fucked.

| 0 minutes ago

Liberal_Fascist
Aug 3, 09 11:03 AM CDT

Why does Newser always use that stupid photo of Obama when someone's unhappy with him? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

MrsK
Aug 3, 09 11:27 AM CDT

Because they can.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Citrixguy
Aug 3, 09 12:06 PM CDT

It's hard to find a pic of him when he isn't looking stupid

-3

| 0 minutes ago

Fondue
Aug 3, 09 11:18 AM CDT

There have been 4271 Wednesdays since NBC launched and nearly 30,000 broadcast days. What are they bitching about again? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 3, 09 11:24 AM CDT

Almost forgot this little number: 2007 US only revenue of $15.4 Billion.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Aug 3, 09 11:53 AM CDT

that his news conferences are costing them money because the ratings suck. it's all about money even with NBC which openly is a cheerleader for this administration.

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 3, 09 12:29 PM CDT

How much? Are they in the red over a one hour spot? No.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Aug 3, 09 2:06 PM CDT

@fondue don't know if they are in the red or not, but i can tell you that they are not making any money during that one hour of prime time because the president pressured them to put him on TV.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 3, 09 4:08 PM CDT

@godawgs: see my post about their US revenues for 2007. Do think it's gone down? I heard just a bit ago on CNN that the networks may have lost a total of $40 million - not just NBC, ALL of the networks. That's chump change my friend.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Aug 3, 09 4:50 PM CDT

@fondue lost revenue is lost revenue, chump change or not. the networks don't want to put him prime time because he a drag on ratings. Look at the ratings for his pressers, then continue to fall like stone.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

MrsK
Aug 3, 09 11:25 AM CDT

The networks aren't the only ones tired of his face. I'd rather watch paint dry than see that charlatan. Reply

-7

IN RESPONSE:

jaguarj
Aug 3, 09 11:33 AM CDT

Kind of like ..we would rather listen to nails on a chalk board than listen to that ugly pitbull.

IN RESPONSE:

Caps
Aug 3, 09 12:30 PM CDT

Yes Mrs K, we are tired of your right wing writing. I would rather read a week old newspaper, than your comments.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

polstroad
Aug 3, 09 11:45 AM CDT

yea! more Am Idol and hollywood gossip--in sum: crap that brings in money with viewers...why should we know what our elected president has in mind when we can watch gurus discuss second hand cauyse we are not bright enough to get it on our own. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

timeandagain
Aug 3, 09 11:47 AM CDT

Ego-in-Chief! Reply

-4

| 0 minutes ago

Woofer58
Aug 3, 09 11:53 AM CDT

I am all for Obama having casual talks with us citizens. Makes government seem a little more honest and caring. I like the man and I enjoy what he has to say. I don't always agree, but he always gives me things to think about. Heck, we ought to have an oval office cam so we can watch him at work. That would be way cool. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 3, 09 12:30 PM CDT

He puts a video out on YouTube almost every week.

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 3, 09 10:56 PM CDT

He limits media access in the WH. The WH press core, esp. the imagers have been tethered away from him!

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 4, 09 7:59 AM CDT

Scooter, is this some precedent that we should be aware of? I just don't see how that is so. He's on the TV almost every other day. For christ sake this article is about how Obama is using the media too much and it's affecting their revenue. The man has already had 4 pressers and we are only 7 months in. That is Bush's record for 8 years. Not to mention Gibbs is in the hot seat every freaking day.

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 10:00 PM CDT

Fondue.. He goes on TV to make statements, but in the WH he limits his access. Esp among the photogs stationed there. The reporters I am in contact with miss Bush's availablity on a casual basis. Obama is setting new precedent in limiting reporter contact, with himself and his staff. They feel it is more then just their inexperience, but I suspect this will change, esp. after Gibbs is replaced.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

QueenAlli
Aug 3, 09 11:58 AM CDT

All these private businesses care about is the bottom line. They are content to keep the American people ignorant so long as they make a profit. Obama should boycott all of those who are complaining. Give exclusives to other outlets and give these stations really exclusive information that will make the established pissed. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Citrixguy
Aug 3, 09 12:08 PM CDT

HOW F**KING DARE THESE private company worry about making money. We should take them over like in Venezuela.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Toon
Aug 3, 09 4:35 PM CDT

Citrixguy, they have made quite a bit of money by using the public airways. When we the people through our government agreed to let these private business use a public resource they promised to give back. I don't think an hour a month is too onerous when they get to make a profit the rest of the time.

IN RESPONSE:

Citrixguy
Aug 3, 09 6:38 PM CDT

@Toon - I agree...I was just mocking queenalli

-1

IN RESPONSE:

teachingazteca
Aug 4, 09 8:27 AM CDT

OMG, toon, a public resource? Do you know how much money it costs to run a network, the infrastrucutre? Do you or any other citizens directly pay for it? No, the companies do, mostly by selling ad time to other companies. So, is the ATMOSPHERE being taken over by the networks, because that is the only public thing they use, and lst time I checked there is a hell of a lot of it.

| 0 minutes ago

youngblood
Aug 3, 09 12:28 PM CDT

Most people would rather watch a show on TV that is unfortunately but true something that is mindless like The Fox Comedy Channel! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

easterner
Aug 3, 09 4:23 PM CDT

The Networks are complaining about one hour But they are more than happy to chop it up and use bits and pieces for their so called " breaking news ' segments. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

chas_m
Aug 3, 09 4:44 PM CDT

This story is complete bullshit from start to finish. First of all, a HUGE news story came out -- albeit unintentionally -- from the last presser. MANY news cycles later they're STILL not done wrangling every last drop of profit out of the so-called "beer summit." Second, something the trolls here ALWAYS forget ... Obama's popularity continues to be more than TWICE that of their lord and master Dumbya. By some polls, Obama is THREE TIMES more popular. Obama speaks, REAL Americans listen. Sore losers whine. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Aug 3, 09 4:52 PM CDT

actually his popularity is the same as W's after 7 mths in office, and apparently the first time he talked in prime time there were like 45 million real Americans but the last time i guess a bunch of them moved because there was only like 24 million or so.

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 3, 09 10:57 PM CDT

Not at equivalent points in their terms. Lets see where he is at when he leaves in 3.5 years. I am willing to bet he will be below Carter.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

cornelison
Aug 3, 09 8:49 PM CDT

CNN has video of live events that aren't broadcast on TV. If the President ever uses that I'll GLADLY watch it. At least we have a President who is actually working! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Shannonals
Aug 3, 09 10:58 PM CDT

Networks are not happy because they lose money to companied paying for slots. The government is not paying abything near what they can charge anyone else. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

kokuaguy
Aug 3, 09 11:16 PM CDT

They are not required to carry it. Let them do what Fox did last time and show their own programming if they choose. They could alternate and so they would be showing it every third (or 4th) time. In fact, just schedule all news conferences on PBS and let the networks do their thing. Of course they wouldn't like that because then too many folks might continue watching PBS after the news conference is over. There can't be too many news conferences from my point of view. I don't care how they affect the president's poll numbers, as long as the time is used to inform the public and when necessary to put pressure on the Congress. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

SilenceDogood
Aug 4, 09 4:11 AM CDT

It seems like Obama’s charm is wearing thin lately. It seems like most people, including the media, are waking up from the purple Kool-Aid induced coma they were in. I think many Americans are beginning to sense they have been sold out by a slick salesman with no product. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Adapt-Overcome
Aug 4, 09 6:13 AM CDT

What a bunch of whiners. The President got elected because he said he'd take it to the people. To keep them informed and to get their "help" because as he put it. "I can't do this without your help. It will take all of us working together." The money makers and whiners forgot about that, I guess. If the Republicans would quit using scare tactics and lies "killing granny", etc. Then there would be no need to continually try to get out the CORRECT INFORMATION and thus, there would be less need of interrupting their precious line up of endless mindless reality shows. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

teachingazteca
Aug 4, 09 8:23 AM CDT

Last time I checked, Kids in this country have their own cellphones, shop at the mall, drive cars, buy clothes, load up their ipods with mp3s and wavs, jeez, this JUST STARTED when Obama became prez, right? THERE WAS NOTHING before him, right? lol. At least Bush didn't talk over all the airwaves to get his message across. hate him or not, he did not walk all over people with a sly smile on his face like Obama is. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

jaguarj
Aug 5, 09 10:51 AM CDT

No..Bush just had a fucking shitty ass grin all of the time Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 58 comments »

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Networks Complain About Obama Hour

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