On the Unpopularity of Leftish TV shows

[Cian]

Wojtek Sokolowski said:
>
> Add to it the fundraising potential of the show.  Public stations heavily
> depend on individual donations linked to particular shows (which are often
> matched by corporate sponsors) and those who can put a $120 donation on
> their Master Card tend to be suburbanites who vote republican, salivate on
> the thought of tax cut, and do not want any public transit and people of
> color in their neighborhoods.  So if a show aint too popular among these
> folks, it becomes a financial liability to the station.   You don't need a
> corporate conspiracy do kill a show, free market and populist democracy
> will do the trick more efficiently.

There's a show in the UK presented by Mark Thomas, who's kind of a smarter,
more focused and funnier Michael Moore. Tackles various issues that are
apparently too boring for TV, with wit and verve. Its a pretty popular show
among the well off 20 something age group that apparently advertisers
salivate over. When I worked at an investment bank, I was amazed by the
number of my colleagues watched it. By most criteria, it's a remarkably
successful show.

However despite this, it got virtually no advertising. If it wasn't for the
fact that Channel 4 has a public service remit, it would never have
survived. If you have a totally commercial TV service, then large
advertisers dictate what is, and isn't, permissible discourse.