Why does this happen?

[JohnLocke]

Most of these important Democratic presidential candidate debates are held at off-hours (starting at 6 or 9) instead of peak hours (7 and 8). They are also usually broadcast on the cable stations (CNN, MSNBC, & FOX) instead of the networks (ABC, NBC, CBS), who chose to run some "reality" TV crap instead. Is this just the corporate media at work, knowing people won't tune in to watch our "boring" presidential contenders? Or is this a more sinister indicator of a larger problem -- the deliberate attempt by the media to deny the candidates air time?

Edit: grammar, diction, spelling.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[hlthe2b]

2. The real issue to me is not the time of day they are broadcast, but that

only cable tv is running them.... I think that is ridiculous. Every American ought to have the opportunity to see them and given that some tax dollars do still go to PBS, I think that they at least, should be broadcasting them-- even if on tape delay. Frankly I think at least one of the big three networks should as well, but am not quite sure how we could require that...

[Mairead]

3. It keeps the poor from feeling part of it

Many people can't afford cable, so they're left out. Others don't want cable, so they're left out.

It's a great way to minimise popular exposure.

[BL_Zebub]

4. Most of the debates have aired on FAUX News. Kerry is funded by FAUX News.

The Devil reports. You decide :evilgrin:

[JohnLocke]

5. Kick

[JohnLocke]

6. Kick

[Virginian]

7. I would have gone for economics but...

Our local affiliate decided not to air the next-to-last episode of "The Mole". Instead they ran a local broadcast of the hospital situation in DC. I am sure that others who were following the network show turned to a different station rather than watching the documentary. The station lost viewers, and because they didn't announce anything ahead of time, they made some viewers angry.

If a network station in DC can do this, they could certainly cover a debate.

[snoochie]

8. Other

It's not just to deny Democrats airtime, it's to further disenfranchise anyone who isn't already making life difficult for the powers that be. If people started watching, hell they might just start to care, or even worse, think they could help change things!

[JohnLocke]

9. Change! Gasp!

<sarcasm>

[flpoljunkie]

10. The answer to your question is MONEY, network advertising dollars lost.

Sad, but true.

[JohnLocke]

11. Kick

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[w4rma]

12. Economics is excuse they give, but reality is they don't want an informed

population, IMHO.

More specifically, it's both. They lose money by showing something that most folks probably won't tune into and for which advertising is sold cheaper. They also lose money when more folks begin to understand politics and take action to change the situation.

They do the least they think they can get by with. Always.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. Depends on which coast you're on.