O
Oh god. Really?
Guest
food journalism"? When I was in primary school, I remember these stations carrying the educational programming that their names implied: The Learning Channel, had documentaries on science and nature, The History Channel had programs dedicated to wars and dynasties and ancient civilizations, and Arts & Entertainment had their popular Biography series that covered historical figures and presidents. Now TLC primarily has reality shows about interior design and families with a dozen children, the only history the The History Channel seems interested in exploring are the myths of the Old Testament, and A&E's Biography now has its own channel which deals exclusively with current celebrities. Even the more recently birthed Discovery Health now seems to concentrate solely on dieting, child birth, and breast augmentation surgeries.
When exactly did this change in programming occur?
And moreover, who finds this pop journalism interesting? This is not a rhetorical question. Obviously the target demographic is lower to middle class housewives, but even then, what is the appeal of watching nine months of prenatal care condensed into a one hour show? Or learning about the previous relationships of Angelina Jolie? Are they looking for advice? Validation? Someone please explain this to me.
So in summation, mine is a two part question: over what time frame, and for what reasons, did these channels decide to go in a completely opposite direction from what they started out as? And secondly, what is the attraction to this sort of mindless entertainment?
Information like acquisitions and mergers and advertising pressures would be helpful, but discussions of personal experience and opinion are also welcome. I'm just curious as to what the rest of the world has say about this phenomenon.
When exactly did this change in programming occur?
And moreover, who finds this pop journalism interesting? This is not a rhetorical question. Obviously the target demographic is lower to middle class housewives, but even then, what is the appeal of watching nine months of prenatal care condensed into a one hour show? Or learning about the previous relationships of Angelina Jolie? Are they looking for advice? Validation? Someone please explain this to me.
So in summation, mine is a two part question: over what time frame, and for what reasons, did these channels decide to go in a completely opposite direction from what they started out as? And secondly, what is the attraction to this sort of mindless entertainment?
Information like acquisitions and mergers and advertising pressures would be helpful, but discussions of personal experience and opinion are also welcome. I'm just curious as to what the rest of the world has say about this phenomenon.