Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - More Fog on the Info-tainment front

Cynthetiq · 05-07-2003, 05:02 AM

This is not new, it was done in print before, which is why most print ads that don't look like ads have a "special advertising section" header.

60 Minutes (owned by Viacom/CBS) aired a segment on Digital Video Recorders (DVR) specifically the Tivo product. It was from the angle of it being the hot new technology that didn't have any competition (there was little if no discussion about the Replay version, and other computer related solutions.) The very next day the stock rose incredibly as if people where buying "with insider knowledge"

Here's the rub. Showtime has an equity stake in Tivo. Showtime is owned by Viacom.

This happens all the time with news, from products to stars. I was scratching my head the other day when Marsha Clarke was on Entertainment Tonight being asked about Scott Peterson and the Laci trials. WTF does that have to do with entertainment?

One morning on my way to an early gig, I was listening to the radio and I heard what I thought was a talk show talking about the benefits of Aloe. It turned out that it was an infomercial in the talk show format, with callers calling in, doctors chiming in giving opinion. Made me mad thinking WTF music radio on an early Saturday morning isn't as profitable as selling an informercial space????

Unfortunately it's the sheep out there that don't separate the wheat from the chaff and know that it's just propaganda and not really news.

05-07-2003, 05:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	This is not new, it was done in print before, which is why most print ads that don't look like ads have a "special advertising section" header. 60 Minutes (owned by Viacom/CBS) aired a segment on Digital Video Recorders (DVR) specifically the Tivo product. It was from the angle of it being the hot new technology that didn't have any competition (there was little if no discussion about the Replay version, and other computer related solutions.) The very next day the stock rose incredibly as if people where buying "with insider knowledge" Here's the rub. Showtime has an equity stake in Tivo. Showtime is owned by Viacom. This happens all the time with news, from products to stars. I was scratching my head the other day when Marsha Clarke was on Entertainment Tonight being asked about Scott Peterson and the Laci trials. WTF does that have to do with entertainment? One morning on my way to an early gig, I was listening to the radio and I heard what I thought was a talk show talking about the benefits of Aloe. It turned out that it was an infomercial in the talk show format, with callers calling in, doctors chiming in giving opinion. Made me mad thinking WTF music radio on an early Saturday morning isn't as profitable as selling an informercial space???? Unfortunately it's the sheep out there that don't separate the wheat from the chaff and know that it's just propaganda and not really news. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION! Last edited by Cynthetiq; 05-07-2003 at 05:06 AM..