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Big Shout

October 2, 2003
Big Shout

What is this all about? Each of these frames are from the in-school TV show Channel One News. After the anchors signoff, the show continues with various graphics. Often the students see wording on the screen that reminds them to go to the Channel One web site when they get home. Often at the end of the show...
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61 School Years

September 26, 2003
61 School Years

This 30-second commercial for the WB Network’s “Grounded for Life” took up 66,666 hours of school time across the country. The math: .30 sec. X 8,000,000 students under contract to Channel One = 4,000,000 minutes = 66,666 hours There are 1,080 academic hours in a 180 day school year. 66,666 / 1,080 = 61.7 school years...
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For Sale, Make Offer.

September 24, 2003

September 21, 2003 – New York Times reports that PRIMEDIA is still trying to sell Channel One News. When a company buys another company they do a due diligence investigation into the company being bought. If this investigation is done poorly it can mean a disaster for the purchasing company. PRIMEDIA has hired Allen & Company of New York...
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Does Channel One News Look Infected?

September 23, 2003
Does Channel One News Look Infected?

From Jim Metrock: Somebody at Channel One News really loves the music of Sum 41. A song called “In Too Deep” has been played at least twice on the air since the start of the school year. It must be a very powerful feeling for a person to pick one of their favorite songs and make up to 8...
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If You Wear Glasses, You’re Ugly.

September 21, 2003
If You Wear Glasses, You’re Ugly.

These pictures are from the Acuvue2 commercials that are in heavy rotation on Channel One News in middle and high schools during September 2003.   Mo Money! You can almost picture Jim “Sugar Daddy” Ritts stuffing the Johnson&Johnson cash in his pockets. Is he the least bit concerned that it is cruel for Channel One to advertise contact lens to...
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AOL Time Warner

September 17, 2003
AOL Time Warner

  It doesn’t seem right. AOL Time Warner has assets worth $118 BILLION as of June 30, yet they want taxpayers to subsidize their publicity campaign for a movie called Secondhand Lions coming out this Friday. AOL Time Warner made a deal with Channel One News. We are not privy to the details, but it is obvious...
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Gravity Games

September 16, 2003
Gravity Games

In August 2001, Channel One’s parent company, PRIMEDIA, acquired EMAP USA (both of these companies think it is cool to have their names in all caps). PRIMEDIA is basically a magazine publisher and they wanted EMAP’s large collection of magazine titles. However with the purchase PRIMEDIA acquired something called the Gravity Games. This is a TV event, broadcast on...
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Jewel

September 11, 2003
Jewel

Jewel Kilcher (a.k.a. Jewel) is a recording artist in need of a comeback. This is where you come in – if you are a taxpayer. Get this – Jewel wants you to help foot the bill for her publicity tour. Jewel had early success in the late 90’s then two years ago disappeared from the public view....
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Wanna Buy A CD?

September 6, 2003
Wanna Buy A CD?

Channel One’s web site now offers children an easy way to buy CDs. This is a major step for Channel One News. Channel One has an arrangement with Amazon.com to drive children to Amazon’s site to make their CD purchases or DVD purchases. Channel One will receive a “kick back” or a portion of the sales price from...
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Stop The Music

September 1, 2003
Stop The Music

To get the attention of schoolchildren, Channel One News has always played rock and rap music. They play music during the show’s introduction, going into and out of commercial breaks, during Pop Quizzes, during feature stories, and at the end of the show. Of course, there is even more music when a recording artist or band pay to...
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To Channel One Employees

August 26, 2003

From Jim Metrock: Things are happening. Maybe there are some good things happening for Channel One News. I am sure there must be. Maybe you have signed up a new school here and there. Maybe you have signed up a new advertiser. These may be helpful, but each of you must know what I...
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Jim Ritts: Master Junk Food Marketer To Kids

August 20, 2003
Jim Ritts: Master Junk Food Marketer To Kids

Channel One News runs ads for McDonalds urging students to eat more french fries to increase chances of winning cash prizes. "We love to see you smile." Ritts was smiling all the way to the bank. Not content just advertising Snickers during class time. Channel One heavily promoted "The Big One." This Snickers bar...
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Percentages

August 17, 2003
Percentages

Channel One writes the contract that schools must sign if they want to get their "free" TV equipment. It has now become very clear that Channel One attorneys have removed the "80%" clause from many, if not all, contracts. This is big news for schools. Channel One used to require schools to promise they...
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Douglas County, Georiga

August 12, 2003

Atlanta Constitution (July 31, 2003) One channel worth changing By JOSH BUICE Are Channel One’s features and advertisements inappropriate for middle and high schoolers? We live in a day where passwords are required for televisions and computers to ensure that children have a safe environment for entertainment and Internet options. With technology rapidly growing,...
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On The Ropes

August 7, 2003
On The Ropes

It’s not a good sign for the few supporters of Channel One News. Channel One is moving again. This time they have moved out of their Jimmy Carter Blvd. digs in Norcross, GA to less expensive accommodations at 3100 Breckenridge  Blvd., Suite 529, Duluth, GA. Two years ago, Channel One was forced to move out of...
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Morgan Wandell

August 7, 2003
Morgan Wandell

Morgan Wandell decides what stories are on the in-school TV show. He is also in charge of the Channelone.com web site. Mr. Wandell is not what you call a "heavyweight" in the world of journalism. He was a low-level producer for Channel One in the early 90s. He left and went to Disney TV....
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Channel One News Kicks Off August 11

August 1, 2003

From Jim Metrock: As this school year starts, there is more opposition to Channel One News than ever before. The company is paying the price for years of insensitivity to its captive audience of students. Expect more ads for profanity-filled, sexually-charged, ultra-violent, drug and alcohol drenched movies from our friends at Channel One News.  These Channel One...
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Fat Profits From Channel One’s Junk Food Advertising – 1 Out Of 4 Ads Is For Junk Food / Soft Drinks

July 28, 2003

December 9, 2002 – Obligation’s Survey of Channel One Advertising A Survey of 100 Random Shows Over The Last Five School Years 1997-98 to 2001-02 From Obligation’s president Jim Metrock: This survey is very unscientific. Obligation, Inc. actively opposes classroom commercialism. Therefore a biased group is doing the survey. The normal safeguards used in...
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Jim Metrock, Channel One Anchor?

July 18, 2003

From: Jim Metrock Date: Thu Jul 17, 2003 12:29:55 PM US/Central To: mwandell@channelone.com Cc: feedback@channelone.com, jritts@channelone.com, jmorris@channelone.com, ch1helpdesk@channelonehelp.com Subject: Application Dear Mr. Wandell: I understand you are needing anchors. Please consider me. I know, you
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Welcome To (Your Company Here) High

July 16, 2003

Registration is required to read the full article but it is free. Here are some of Ms. Quart’s comments about Channel One. July 16, 2003 Welcome to (Company Name Here) High™ By ALISSA QUART It’s easy, like selling candy to children." In the last month, that bromide has taken on a whole new meaning...
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Gotham Chopra Leaves Channel One

July 11, 2003

Another Channel One on-air personality has left the TV show. This time it is Gotham Chopra. Chopra has been a fixture at Channel One for many years. He is the son of New Age guru Deepak Chopra. Much like Gloria Vanderbilt’s son, Anderson Cooper, Gotham Chopra didn’t need the baggage of Channel One News...
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Keynote Speech To Council Of Urban Boards Of Education

July 5, 2003

From Jim Metrock: I was honored to deliver a keynote address to the Council of Urban Boards of Education on Saturday, June 28, 2005 in Chicago. This important group is a part of the National School Boards Association. They represent over one hundred city school districts. My remarks concerned the broad issue of “school/business...
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