Channel One News was a classroom marketing company. It grew at a phenomenal rate in the mid-90s until it ran into its toughest opposition: Obligation, Inc.
My name is Jim Metrock. I’m president of Obligation. I am one of the reasons Channel One News exited classrooms. I am one of the reasons millions of American secondary school students now have an extra hour a week of learning time.
In 2021 I will undertake a retelling of my role in the ending of Channel One News.
Students that were forced to watch Channel One are now in their thirties and forties. These former students have little knowledge of the controversy surrounding this company. These former students overwhelmingly look back fondly on Channel One’s 12-minute break every day. I think their attitude will change when I peel back Channel One’s well-crafted facade.
Yet, the videos and articles I will post are not meant to change the mind of former viewers of Channel One News. I write with one audience in mind. I write for the encouragement of someone, like me, who doesn’t like something he or she sees in their child’s school and wants to do something about it.
It is hard to change anything in public education, especially when there is a well-financed private company behind it. My story is a story of determination and perseverance. My story is about how a few people, even ONE, without much money, can defeat a big corporation and change the mindset of the education bureaucracy. Hopefully, it will be an encouragement to activists or would-be education activists.
