Have network and cable noticed that we are not watching

[rainy]

anymore? Can we make a difference just by not watching in huge numbers? I havn't turned on the news since Nov. 3rd.

[Call me Deacon Blues]

1. It takes time...

I've quit watching as well. Tell your friends.

[high density]

2. I doubt it

They're still on the race to the right to protect the interests of corporate America.

[AlCzervik]

3. I just watched a good doc on sundance

it was Yank Tanks, all about the old cars that are still in use in cuba.

[htuttle]

4. They think we'll get bored, change our minds, and come back

It's time for all of us to PUSH ourselves away from the table and say, "NO MORE JELLO FOR ME, MOM!!!"

[tinanator]

5. that makes no nevermind

their business is plausible denial.
Now a widespread (and I mean WIDE) cancellation of cable service by disaffected voters would absolutely not escape notice. It really is the best way to proceed in the short term. Who's with me?
Im going to satellite, because our cable provider is raping us.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

6. I have not watched them for 6 days now!

[City Lights]

23. I'm on day six too.

I'm going to give in and watch Keith tonight. Of course, I continue to watch Jon Stewart, and depending on DU reviews, Bill Maher.

[Ducks In A Row]

7. Who cares. They are whores and cowards.

But we should be sure to tell anyone adverting they are wasting their money. Nothing to do with business boycotting, just that we aren't seeing their ads.

[kayell]

14. Very good point that we need to tell the ADVERTISERS we're not watching.

[lakeguy]

8. what cable? nt

[kayell]

9. Cancelling cable in enough numbers may let them know, but...

If you keep it, or watch broadcast, we need to email, fax, call or write them to tell them they've lost us until they start talking about the real stories.

At least your brain won't be washed every evening.

[rabid_nerd]

10. Nope...

Not watching does nothing. Except shift their audience and the general audience to a typical Bush supporter.

[Cookie wookie]

11. I wasn't watching before

and I'm not going to start unless they change their evil ways.

We're creating our own news networks.

[jgardner]

12. Me, too!

I stopped watching the morning of 11/3 (I had to turn it on to make sure I hadn't dreamed the previous night's results). It took a couple more days to pry my husband away, but he's with me now. We're going to the cable company to turn in our box on Friday. (it actually feels liberating, AND we'll need all the extra money to live in Chimpy's ecomony)

[Sparkle]

13. You have to be Nielsen watcher, am I right?

Other than that, they won't know unless it hurts their sponsors.

[frylock]

16. you are correct..

you have no effect by just not tuning in. They have no means of monitoring that. It might make people feel good, but that's the only effect it has. You need to boycott their sponsers, and let the sponsers know WHY you are boycotting them. But a lot of folks on the board think by tuning the cables news out, they are accomplishing something. It's a rather naive ideal.

[LibDemAlways]

17. I e-mailed Nielsen and asked

this very question. Will PM you if and when they respond.

[Sparkle]

19. Why that's nice of you. Thanks!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. Question for the cable insiders or cable savvy DUers

I know that headquarters can monitor you to the extent that they know which channels you have and can turn them on and off for you. Do they have any way of knowing (whether they use it or not) how many people are watching each channel, even if they can't pin it down to individuals?

It would seem that they could.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. Yes due to the patriot act

people need to read the fine print, they monitor what you watch all the time

The spikes in my household are funny since if my dad is here the teevee is on, otherwise it is off

[oldtime dfl_er]

20. I know a family who is a Nielsen family this week

and they're not watching news!! They're only watching "Spongebob Squarepants"!! So watch the advertising prices skyrocket for that and other cartoons.

[Lefty48197]

21. What's cable tv news?

It's been so long I've forgotten...

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. Can I watch Dan Rather & Olberman?

I figure if we can all tune in everyday, then tune out when it's over, they're bound to notice the spike.

[Nightjock]

24. I have not watched any news since Nov. 3rd

except the Daily Show.
And it feels good

[lizzieforkerry]

25. Comedy Central and CBS are owned by

Viacom and they give the majority of their contributions to the Dem party, 61% to the tune of 1M. This is sweeps month so if you are Nielson, this is the month to stop watching! Other sweeps months are February and July

[NurseLefty]

26. I dumped cable when I moved in April

And I thought I'd be jonesing for it close to the election. Instead, I did not and I've taken satisfaction in having an extra 50 bucks in my pocket every month.
Since Kerry's concession speech, knowing the horrid bias of the networks, I haven't watched TV news. Meet the Press? Can't even stomach it. I did watch the McLaughlin Group cuz' he & Buchanan are such hilarious coots. Lawrence O' Donnell (?) did make some ballsy statements about the acrimony and division in the election.
Otherwise, I rely on you, DUers, and AAR. Thank god- it's the only way I am staying sane!

[newyawker99]

27. Hi NurseLefty!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[NurseLefty]

30. Thanks!

:hi: :beer:

[chaumont58]

28. I haven't been watching for a year

The cable news channels are not in the news business, really. They are entertainment. I stopped watching tweety the night before the California recall. I haven't missed him a bit, and I don't think I have become uninformed.
I don't think very many people will stop though. I've seen too many threads in the ole DU about how pissed viewers get at Tweety, and still, they go back the next night for more punishment. Political junkies make very good masochists.
In 1992, Bill Clinton has the definition of a fool as someone who does the same thing over and over and expects different results every time. Watching Tweety and his cohorts is a fool's errand.

[Eurobabe]

29. i bought a subscription to a music service online

so most of the time since Thursday I have tuned out TV, except to pig out on the weather channel. I will watch Olbermann tonight though!

[DELUSIONAL]

31. I quit cold turkey about 2 1/2 years ago

and find that I am better informed that the vast majority of TV viewers. I get my news from mostly the International press, BuzzFlash, several blogs and DUs breaking news. I don't have to listen to endless repeats of the same commercials and I don't have to listen to a talking head read the news -- more than likely entertainment rather than real news.

I'm hooked on AirAmericaRadio -- it is nice to hear people saying the things I believe -- that being a liberal is a good thing. But even AAR will become too much and I'll take a break -- the hosts of those shows are going to need a break real soon!

[Carolab]

32. Just Olbermann tonight

and Maher the other night--just the part with Alan Simpson though--not missing it at all otherwise

[ThirdWheelLegend]

33. I actually just got cable in September, was without it for 3 years.

Although I can say since I did, I have had cable news on about 2 hours total. During the debates and a bit on voter fraud night, I mean election night, no I really do mean voter fraud night.


Sundance, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, IFC, a really crappy B movie on latenight showtime, Simpsons ... Not too much else.

I still moslty watch movies on DVD etc.


TWL