Julia Thompson wrote:
>
> "John D. Giorgis" wrote:
> >
> > At 11:34 AM 9/12/01 +0200 Baardwijk, J. van DTO/SLBD/BGM/SVM/SGM wrote:
> > >All other programs were cancelled (with one exception: the broadcasting of a
> > >soccer match...) so news programs could be on the air continuously.
> > >
> > >The BBC's approach was a pleasant change. Begin a news program, report what
> > >happened, add a few analyses, end news program, continue with the regular,
> > >scheduled programming. Apparently the BBC reasons that there is no need to
> > >just keep repeating themselves -- if there would be any new developments,
> > >they could always interrupt the scheduled programs.
> >
> > In defence to the American networks that have been broadcasting news
> > non-stop, and without commercials, since this began - I am very
> > appreciative of this.
> >
> > After all, not everyone can be at the TV at any given time. Thus, the
> > repeating of information is an indespensible service in the case of an
> > event like this that affects all of us.
>
> I agree, but it doesn't make sense to have 20* non-news cable channels
> providing coverage duplicated by news channels and main network
> broadcast channels. I could get something like 5 channels carrying the
> Fox News coverage on Tuesday, but very little decent programming for
> when I just needed a break from it. Then again, I may still have
> residual backlash against constant coverage having been raised in a
> family where I was the only person who didn't act like a news junkie.
>
> * Yes, I counted. We've got lots of channels, and all the ones that I
> would usually have on as some pleasant mindless background stuff for
> when I'm feeding Sammy and can't necessarily hold a book, with the
> exception of SciFi, A&E and History Channel, were showing coverage of
> the unfolding events. (And I apologize for the construction of that
> sentence, but I'm too tired to edit it.)
You forget that not everyone has access to television or the myriad
channels of cable. I have to rely on what my housemate's dinky tv can
pick up with a tinfoil antenna I rigged up using pieces of my old
shortwave antenna.
-j-
