Channel One’s web site (advertised relentlessly on their in-school TV show) is once again prominently promoting their "Kabbalah Love Calculator." This is part of their year-long, self-described "Massive Astrology Guide" for preteens and teens. Astrology is evidently a "big thing" with Channel One News personnel.
Why is a current events web site featuring "love calculators" and various interactive features promoting astrology? One would have to ask CEO Judy Harris that question. Just for fun, we typed Judy’s name in her Kabbalah Love Calculator to see the results.
According to a 2003 Harris Poll, a minority of Americans do not believe in astrology (30%). Only 17% of those over 64 believed in it, but 43% of those between 25 and 29 believed. From this we might discern that even younger people might have a higher percentage belief in astrology.
To most people astrology and horoscopes might be harmless filler in newspapers. Others may take a more negative view.
Obligation’s Jim Metrock said, "Last year we urged Channel One to remove this content from their web site. This may be confusing to young people, especially to pre-teens. Much of Channel One’s web site is devoted to silly and immature features that can only be aimed at a very young audience. Features that help you talk like a pirate are not aimed at high school students. Channel One’s ‘nickname generator’ and ‘pet name generator’ are more on the elementary school level. That makes this heavy focus on astrology even creepier. Many children may not see or understand the significance of ‘for entertainment purposes only’ in small print. Come on, Ms. Harris, it is time you cleaned up your web site. If you don’t, you won’t need to look at your horoscope to know your company will continue to lose more and more schools."
Channel One’s CEO Judy Harris is an "8" according to Channel One’s own Kabbalah Love Calculator. We would add only one other characteristic of an "8" – Often plays jokes on other people’s kids.
