Many of stories on Channel One News tend to normalize teen drinking. This “top story of the day” sends confusing messages to young middle school students who are Channel One’s most loyal audience.
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Does your school still have Channel One News?
Learn how to unplug
Houghton Mifflin/Channel One News
Channel One News is a youth marketing company whose main purpose is to get advertising to a captive audience of impressionable schoolchildren. The company loans a school TV equipment in exchange for the school’s contractual pledge to show students a daily, 12-minute, hyper-commercial, TV program called Channel One News. Students lose one hour a week of schools time, which equates to one lost week of instructional time (32 hours) per year. No educational organization endorses the use of Channel One News.
Channel One has fallen on very hard times. Once they claimed over 8 million students were under contract. Since 1997 they have continued to lose schools and now they claim “nearly five million” students and the true figure is probably lower.
In May 2014, publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt acquired Channel One from ZelnickMedia the makers of the ultra-violent Grand Thief Auto video game series. Houghton Mifflin did not disclose the purchase price.
At the end of 2014 most of Channel One’s full-paying advertisers have abandoned the program.
From the archives: Channel One wants middle school students to vote on lowering the drinking age. (September 23, 2008)
Frequently asked questions about Channel One News InterActiv
From Jim Metrock: I keep trying to imagine a school principal or superintendent who is excited about a Promethean-powered Channel One News program. In the early 90’s some school districts agreed to experiment with Channel One because they received the use of a TV network. With the new Promethean/Channel One deal schools have to...
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As advertised on Channel One News: Neutrogena Wave Duo (October 19, 2009)
Channel One News runs commercials that often make outlandish statements. “Ten times deeper”? What does that mean? There is little or no time in classrooms for teachers to deconstruct the absurd statements made on Channel One News. One week Channel One will air commercials saying Neutrogena products are the best product for treating acne....
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Channel One News Hall of Shame: 36 principals and assistant principals sign letter supporting removal of Channel One (1998)
From Jim Metrock: How bad was Channel One News that it caused this letter to be sent by 18 principals and 19 assistant principals? The letter helped the Shelby County (AL) school board end Channel One at all 18 of the country’s secondary schools. Obligation press release: September 10, 1998 (Birmingham, AL) High...
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From the archives: Maine principals oppose Channel One News (1990)
Maine Principals’s Association long-standing resolution opposing Channel One: Commercial Television in the Classroom Whereas, commercial vendors are increasingly marketing their products to children and young people as a means of encouraging brand loyalty early in life; Whereas, schools are prime targets for aggressive marketing campaigns because attendance is mandatory; Whereas, programs such as...
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From the archives: Students Recall More Ads Than News on Channel One (2006)
“The benefits of having Channel One in schools seem to have some real costs that should create an ethical dilemma for schools,” Dr. Erica Austin of Washington State University Students Recall More Ads Than News on Channel One By Carla K. Johnson Associated Press Students remember more of the advertising than they do...
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As advertised on Channel One News: Spiderman 2 video game (2004)
Video game companies love Channel One News. The idea that public schools will show video game commercials during the school day is hard to believe.
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Is it a big deal to lie about your age?
Channel One’s Ariel Glickman isn’t sure lying is wrong. Wha From Jim Metrock: A Channel One summer intern poses a question to young readers: Is it a big deal to lie about your age? That’s typical Channel One News: value-neutral. There is no value system at this youth marketing firm. Nothing is right...
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Q&a: What happened in 2006 that almost put Channel One out of business?
From Jim Metrock: Q: It’s been said that Channel One News “fell off a cliff” in 2006. What happened? a: Channel One had always relied on their lobbyists to make problems go away, but in 2006 Channel One’s former lobbyists were going away themselves – to...
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