Ted Tuner CNN Launch Speech (1980)

 

Ted Turner (1938-2026)  was one of the founders of CNN. This was the first 24 hour cable news network. CNN was a major innovator in broadcasting, but it signaled the problems with  modern journalism. The control of news by large corporations and billionaires made it impossible to present alternative perspectives on domestic and foreign affairs. CNN has throughout is existence presented itself as a liberal leaning channel, yet as time passed it became more political centrist directed. Ted Turner's motivation for creating CNN was not to have the public informed. Rather it was to generate higher profits and have dominance in television. Turner Broadcasting System went on to become a force in cable. Having this much control over entertainment and mass media can result in the manipulation of public opinion. Media literacy is lowered when only a few sources of information are available and viewers do not question what is being reported. Ted Tuner's creation of CNN harmed media literacy and the quality of journalism. It made a path for more vitriolic broadcasting with the emerging competitors such as Fox News in 1996. CNN now has to compete with a word of digital media and some question if it can adapt.    

The Warner Bros Paramount Merger

 

Netflix has abandoned attempts to purchase Warner Bros, which means Paramount being the successful company in the bid. This is more so a defeat for media and consumers. Entertainment is becoming more of a monopoly. Consumers are going to have their options limited. When mergers occur job loss follows. Physical media becomes harder to obtain as only a few companies own popular film and TV franchises. The only way the deal could be prevent is through an anti-trust investigation. There remains a possibility that the new merger will not pass regulation. The merger also has to pass anti-trust regulations in the EU and UK. The merger must be stopped as a means of preventing censorship and entertainment monopolies. The film industry is struggling and a merger is not going to help. Streaming services such as HBO Max might be terminated. Paramount's service will have stopped a  competitor. The market requires a number of companies to be competitive. Monopolies increase the risk of economic strain. Smaller companies are not going to survive, consumers have less choice, and the possibility of  collapse are serious. Paramount is going to pay $110, 000,000,000 for the ownership of Warner Bros Discovery.

The End of MTV

 

MTV could be phased out. A number of channels are being terminated. There are multiple factors for this decision. Paramount the parent company probably does not think its profitable to continue. The consumption habits of consumers changed. The major error was that MTV put emphasis on reality television. When the channel launched in 1981, it was focused on music videos. Programming was dedicated to music, with other shows with a teenage focus. The demographic was the youth, but interests change among viewers. MTV struggled to adapt in a shifting media consumption landscape. Video sharing and easier access to music was making MTV dated. Digital devices changed the way people get their music. While certain MTV channels are disappearing, MTV is not officially coming to and end. Rather, it could be going through a period of slow death. The countries most effected are the UK and Ireland, which will lose a number of MTV channels. Trying to make MTV a reality show channel could be its downfall. MTV would be just like all other channels, with nothing unique about it. At some stage the channel will not be called MTV. Either it will undergo a major rebrand or be gradually terminated. Both film and television are struggling. The sudden changes to MTV are an indication of a wider problem. Parent companies are more fixated on buying subsidiaries, without make an effort to maintain quality of all their properties. Paramount has fallen to this short sighted business model. MTV could be come a relic of nostalgia in coming years.   

Corus Entertainment Shuts Down Nelvana

 

Nelvana one of Canada's prominent animation studios had ended production. Established in 1971, the studio produced a number of animated series and films. Corus Entertainment amassed immense debt. This was Nelvana's parent company since the year 2000. Between that year of purchase to 2025, $1,000,000,000 of debt was created. No explanation was given for how that debt emerged. The speculation is that funds were wasted, went to executives, or used for failed projects. What happened to Nelvana is a warning to other animation studios. The actions of the parent company tend to harm the subsidiaries. Nelvana was not producing low quality work, but mismanagement . Corus Entertainment might not exist in a few decades if debt can not get under control. The entertainment industry is still adjusting to streaming and the changing consumption habits of viewers. Corus Entertainment did not mention layoffs when speaking with the press. Those who work in animation or seeking to begin a career are struggling. What becomes more questionable is the amount of bonuses executives were paid. A serious discussion about executive bonuses never takes place. Never do they offer to take a cut in bonuses to prevent the company failing or to contribute to debt payments. Nelvana would have survived if it was not owned by another company. Corus Entertainment's solution to the debt concerns is to manage existing properties. Corus Entertainment  insists the Nelvana brand will remain, but production of new content has ended. Canadian animators are going to have to find work at another animation studio or go abroad. 

MSNBC Seeks Rebranding

 

MSNBC will change its name in an effort to rebrand the cable news channel. The new name of the channel will be called MS NOW. This stands for my source, news, opinion, and world. MSNBC has been struggling with ratings over the past few years. The failure to adapt is the primary reason. Many viewers are going to alternative or independent media sources. Social media, websites, and video sharing platforms are now major sources of news. The rebranding will not be effective unless changes are made. Corporate media seeks to uphold a certain narrative, which does not present political or social realities. Media bias can be present in any source, but MSNBC was more blatant with its coverage. the channel favors a political centrist and corporate Democrat perspective. The majority of the audience it appeals to is the baby boomer demographic. That generation does not represent the majority of the public. The channel focuses too much on domestic news, while international affairs are ignored. Biased reporting related to Israel and Ukraine becomes more obvious as conditions change rapidly. To an extent coverage of the Trump administration keeps the channel going. Other cable news networks have followed this model and it is not sustainable. The failure to update to the new era of digital media demonstrates how out of touch cable news channels are. Renaming the channel seems like they want viewers to think they are getting something different. Many viewers see MSNBC as an official press organization for the Democratic Party. Considering viewers want actual information and not political party press releases, ratings declined. The MS NOW transformation is not enough to fix the cable news network. 

Phil Donahue Discusses Why His MSNBC Program Was Cancelled

 

Phil Donahue (1935-2024)  returned to television in 2002. This time he was not hosting a talk show, but a cable news program. The show was cancelled in 2003. The reason for the cancellation was due to that fact it was the few cable news shows voicing opposition to the Iraq War. Corporate media does not care about reporting the truth or quality journalism. At times 24 hour cable news is nothing more than propaganda for the two major political parties. MSNBC has become more uniform in thought and opinions. To a degree it is a type of censorship, but done indirectly. Asking questions or having another perspective should not be seen as unpatriotic. Their is a fear of anti-war voices reaching the American public. MSNBC claimed Donahue was cancelled due to low ratings. However, it was cancelled in February in 2003, just before the invasion in March. The cable news networks were all pushing for war and having opposing views was not acceptable. What happen to Phil Donahue was a harbinger to would happen on social platforms. Corporate media manipulates public opinion for the benefit of the ruling and political elite of the United States. The firing of Phil Donahue is a reminder of why independent media needs to grow.  

The Rise and Fall of The TV Journalist

 

Critics of media and journalism have noted a contrast in quality. The media has become more partisan and biased. Bias was always present in reporting, but the rise of Tv took it to another level. Adam Curtis explains in a short documentary about how the public perception  of the  Tv journalist.  They were seen as heroic figures during the 1960s and 1970s exposing corruption and societal ills. Then a shift happened with the Cold War. The geopolitical situation became more complex and a simple narrative of good versus evil could not explain a world rapidly changing. Objective reporting was an ideal that was never reached. The idea was that the journalist was suppose to explain current events to the audience. Yet, the media can also be prone to error. The Tv journalists slowly morphed into supporters of the status quo. The public began to view the Tv journalists as part of the elite and establishment. The hostility became more pronounced in the 2010s. A decline in quality has been happening before the 2020s. These shifts allowed for the rise of independent journalism. Some wonder if cable news or other networks can survive in its current condition. Tv news needs to make drastic changes to remain relevant.  

The End of CNN Plus

 

CNN Plus only lasted a month. The business model the 24 hour cable news media companies are using are dated. The ability to compete is limited due to social media. Cable news fails to capture viewers as it once did in the 20th century. The contemporary period allows for more access to various sources of information. Viewers would not pay for a streaming service which they could watch on TV. The mainstream media has lost trust and the ability to report interesting stories. Bias and  partisan narratives are the common attributes of various 24 hour cable news networks. News should not resemble propaganda or a political party public relations firm. The American media has become as divided as the population itself. This explains why viewers are turning to alternative media. The traditional broadcasting networks demonize alternative media as conspiracy theory or spreading disinformation. There was a time in which TV news was criticized by newspapers. Overtime, it gained acceptance. Cable news networks that failed to adopt change will not survive. The experiment in video streaming should a warning to media companies. CNN has been around since 1980 and new technology will impact the media industry. Only by making quality content, questioning the status quo, and doing investigative journalism can media companies survive. 

Rare Hank Aaron Interview

 Hank Aaron (1934-2021)  was interviewed by Len Morton. The video shows  the young athlete discussing the upcoming World Championships. His MLB career span from 1954 to 1976. Aaron was considered one of the best baseball players of all time. He broke Babe Ruth record with a total of 755 home runs. The clip shows at the time his team was called the Milwaukee Braves. The date for this interview is not clear, however it had to be between the years  1955 to 1965. The team's name changed to the Atlanta Braves in 1966. Hank Aaron reveals that  playing right field is his favorite position. He was a pioneer in sports during a period in which African Americans were not accepted. Aaron faced racism, and discrimination  . When was getting closer to breaking Babe Ruth's records he received death threats. Ultimately, he was triumphant being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. 

Larry King Journalist, Radio Host, and Television Host Has Passed Away

 

Larry King (1933- 2021)  for half a century interviewed political figures, celebrities, and public intellectuals. His career began in the 1950s, but he came to prominence with radio program The Larry King Show in 1978. As time passed he became a household name hosting Larry King Live. He would be a fixture on CNN from 1985 to 2010. When the program ended on CNN, he would later host Larry King Now from 2012 to 2020. Larry King passed away due to complications from COVID-19. His death marks an end of an era of the journalists who went to radio, then to television. The mainstream media has become more biased and hostile to people with different perspectives. Larry King's interviewing style was more about getting people to discuss their view points, rather than making it purely antagonistic . Larry King Live had millions of viewers for this reason. He was able to make guests comfortable enough to expose information that they would not in any other circumstance. It was clear that that model of interview would not be used on 24 hour cable news in America. This is why his programs were moved to RT America. Russia Today broadcast his programs, even though from the Obama administration to present it is demonized as nothing more than propaganda. Larry King was one of the few broadcasters attempting  to give an interview of individuals that was not distorted.