Does this sound familiar? Take the best content from 22 different information sources and re-package it into a separate product designed to simplify access. That is exactly what Gannett is doing with it's 22 local television stations. Gannet is launching a cable channel that will re-broadcast the local news of those 22 stations at particular times on one national cable channel. Who said blogging was not influential? OK, maybe blogging didn't completely inspire this decision but the similarities are very interesting.
Washington Post: Gannett May Launch A Cable News Channel (washingtonpost.com)
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Everybody's doing it so let's do it too. That has always been the mentality of television programmers and it is no different with FX. They have struck a deal with Esquire magazine to produce a reality series based the magazine's "What It Feels Like" column. The column covers first hand accounts of topics such as Tourette's syndrome and shark bites. As this moves from Esquire to FX, there is no doubt in my mind that this will turn into "What It Feels Like to Find Out My Wife is Transvestite". The glory of lowest common denominator reality television. Oh sure, ratings will be great. Another indicator of the unfortunate mentality of most people in this country.
Ad Age: WHAT'S IT FEEL LIKE TO BE BITTEN BY A SHARK?
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