Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[DonBartholf AT aol.com]

In a message dated 10/15/04 12:53:12 AM Central Daylight Time, trekkie AT nomorestars.com writes:

> WB and UPN currently have a small handful of shows I like to watch 
> (Smallville, Jack and Bobby, Enterprise) but if the local affiliate is 
> going to pollute the airwaves with this seemingly obvious hour or so 
> long political ad I'm going to have a hard time giving money to them by 
> watching their broadcasts ever again.
>
> But since they're the monopoly on three shows I enjoy I'm kinda screwed 
> because there is no other source short of buying the episodes months, 
> or years later should they come out on DVD.

The shows exist so that the network can sell time slots for commercials. The pressure point is the advertiser. If you could figure out which companies were advertising either on the network or during the '''special" in question and threatened a boycott of their products, you would gain leverage. Another point is the FCC, who is the alleged steward of the public airwaves. In this case the issue would be that the network is abusing its position. I believe I heard on NPR yesterday that Colin Powell's ? son is the head of the FCC. Not much traction there, but enough protests directed that way could be the straw that breaks his back.

So watch the shows you like, boycot the advertisers who support the shows you don't like, and tell them you are doing it or planning on doing it. Didn't that Reagan special get pulled  and moved to cable after such a tactic was announced?

Don