In apparent response to Obligation’s press release complaining about Channel One’s unilateral decision to expand its program from 12 minutes to over 13 minutes, Channel One is now announcing at the first of each show that the program will begin in 30 seconds.
Jim Metrock,Obligation president, said, “This is typical Channel One. This is truly the ‘gang that couldn’t shoot straight’. Channel One cannot undo this breach of contract by simply having a voice-over say “Channel One News will begin in 30 seconds.’ The show begins with the first images. It certainly begins with the first words spoken or shown on the screen. After this disembodied voice speaks, Channel One shows the headlines for the day. Then a quote is shown. Channel One is saying that our 12 minutes don’t start until the anchors speak. That is ludicrous.”
Starting in January, the Channel One program starts with artwork from a student. (All artwork, must have a “1” in the picture even if it makes no sense to have it. This is the commercial homage that must be paid to see your picture on national TV.) This art is on for a few seconds. Then the Channel One date graphic (“Channel One News for January 12, 1999”) comes on and the voice says the program “will begin in 30 seconds.” The program, of course, began when the artwork was shown. Students watch for their artwork to appear. Channel One teases them with the thought their picture might be seen by millions across the country. To say the artwork display is not a part of the show defies common sense.
After the date graphic comes several headlines from around the world. There is no talking only the print headlines. This is a vital part of the Channel One program, but Channel One says the program hasn’t begun yet.
Then the daily quote is shown for ten seconds. This is easily the best part of Channel One. A famous saying from Emerson or Plato which tips you off to a story they are going to cover. This is still not part of the show under the new Channel One thinking. Only when the anchors say, “Hey, Hey, Hey, it’s Channel One.” does the clock start ticking.
Good try Channel One, but the public is smarter than that. Imagine the U.S. Senate or House holding hearings on Channel One. The president of Channel One is invited to defend his program and is given five minutes to talk. He begins by saying, “My five minutes will begin in one minute, first I would like to…” Guess what? He would be politely interrupted and told that his five minutes began when it was his turn to talk. You cannot give yourself an extra 30 seconds or one minute because you need more time. If Mr. McAliley, for some reason, did not say a word for two minutes and then began to speak he would only have three minutes to talk.
Channel One has always felt they could make up their own rules. And that they could break their own rules.
Also, Channel One continues to add about 28 seconds to their program after the anchors “sign-off”. Channel One has run ads and announcements during this period that are, in effect, ads for Channel One.
