When Might Turns Right (Big 3 networks refuse to air F-911 ads)

[Maddy McCall]

snip/

L.A. Weekly has learned that CBS, NBC and ABC all refused Fahrenheit 9/11 DVD advertising during any of the networks’ news programming. Executives at Sony Pictures, the distributor of the movie for the home-entertainment market, were stunned. And even more shocked when the three networks explained why.

“They said explicitly they were reluctant because of the closeness of the release to the election. All three networks said no,” one Sony insider explains. “It was certainly a judgment that Sony disagrees with and is in the process of protesting.”

And protest Sony did. (Michael Lynton, the onetime Pearson publishing executive who is now chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, has privately told people he hasn’t seen anything like this since his Penguin Group published Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses. What especially galled the Sony suits was this: The networks had no problem having the DVD ads appear on their entertainment shows so long as the guidelines for R-rated content like Fahrenheit 9/11 were followed. However, Sony executives told L.A. Weekly they wanted only to market the movie’s DVD on CBS’s, NBC’s and ABC’s news shows. “But all three networks said no to straight news,” one Sony exec explained. “Then, suddenly, the networks were extending the definition of news programming to include the news magazines and the morning news shows and restricting access to those as well. That becomes very problematic to any advertiser trying to reach an adult audience.”

Finally, this week, Sony’s protests started having an effect. “We’re now getting movement,” a Sony suit told L.A. Weekly Monday night. Sony corporate senior vice president Susan Tick claimed Tuesday that the initial ban on the morning news shows was lifted, and time on an NBC Dateline had been made available. But she also confirmed that the early-evening news shows are still verboten, and ABC still remains adamant that the DVD can’t be advertised on its PrimeTime Live. Meanwhile, the DVD ads’ status on the other network news shows is murky at best. (Sony execs emphasize that Fox was not part of this cabal — apparently because no Fahrenheit 9/11 DVD ads were planned there.)

snip/

http://www.laweekly.com/ink/04/45/deadline-finke.php

[xray s]

1. Ahhh! More publicity for F911! GREAT!

They don't want you to see this movie!

GO OUT AND GET THE DVD BEFORE IT IS BANNED BY THE GOVERNMENT!!

I love it!

[LisaLynne]

3. Bwahahahaaaa!!!!!

The best thing you can do for the popularity of something is ban it. Just ask alcohol circa prohibition.

[Barrett808]

8. Or the Sex Pistols n/t

[henslee]

23. Exactly. My $ is on Moore to get the word gets out.

[cease_fire]

34. Why does the Media Hate America? LOL. eom.

[Kikosexy2]

2. Get on ...

the bullhorns and start complaining vehemently to all 3 networks and include cable networks as well. Blatant censorship is censorship thru and thru--"close to an election" is a lame excuse. Start screaming now!!

[demokatgurrl]

4. F 9/11 don't need no stinkin ads!!!! n/t

[trueblew]

5. Corporations turning down money?

For these greedy pricks (running erectile dysfunction ads non-stop) to band together to block any person from purchasing broadcast ad time just shows how clueless and out of touch old school networks have become since the internet.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. This is why AirAmerica and Liberal Radio had trouble.

It is NOT all about profit, it's about controlling the content as Noam Chomsky says. KKKlear Channel did not want to see a Liberal with power who could challenge the establishment, though these days are "rethinking" their strategy. They see the money and they are drooling over the prospects of this new market now.

[maryallen]

29. They're NOT clueless ...

They know exactly what they're doing.

It's called CENSORSHIP.

Don't you get it?

It's about power, about putting George W. back in office. F-911, if seen by too many people, might tarnish his image (even further) and throw the election to Kerry. Can't have that 'cause the media must maintain their monopoly --- which Georgie supports.

[Zorra]

6. After Kerry is elected, we must retake our airwaves from these fascists.

They don't even deserve compensation because of their treasonous acts against the People of the US.

Fuck them.

[rainy]

9. I agree, we own the airwaves

and we get no compensation. And, we have to pay even more for public broadcasting. The media corporations should be paying us rent for the use of our airwaves but nooooooooooooooooooo. We can't get our voices heard no matter what.

[ChrisK]

14. Right on the money..so to speak

The Airwaves belong to the people of this country and please don't even try that "R" rating stuff...as long as the previews are well screened there is not one reason they can't be aired.

I know were are only a few weeks away form the elections but thats still not a good enough reason to band airing them unless its falls under the FEC regulations that say otherwise.

I understand there worry of backlash but that's not reason enough to fold...stand your ground and remember who that the airwaves belong to ALL Americans not just the ones that vote for Bush

[Tuttle]

10. Sounds like a violation of RICO statutes to me...

how is it that the three major broadcasters were all falling in line on this, unless they had already decided (in a smoke-filled room) to conspire against F-911.

Hi Mike: you should make a movie about this, doncha think?

Tut-tut

[serryjw]

39. YOU may very well be right!

------quote
In the 1980's, however, civil lawyers noticed section 1964(c) of the RICO Act, which allows civil claims to be brought by any person injured in their business or property by reason of a RICO violation. Any person who succeeded in establishing a civil RICO claim would automatically receive judgment in the amount of three times their actual damages and would be awarded their costs and attorneys' fees. The financial windfall available under RICO inspired the creativity of lawyers across the nation, and by the late 1980's, RICO was a (if not the most) commonly asserted claim in federal court. Everyone was trying to depict civil claims, such as common law fraud, product defect, and breach of contract as criminal wrongdoing, which would in turn enable the filing of a civil RICO action.

-------end quote.


This is not about F9-11. It is about power, corruption and a free press. They have no right to to OUR airwaves and blocking this for THEIR own Corporate agenda and profits

[lovuian]

11. Whats really sad is this Movie is Award Winning

and probably going to take home an Oscar and it couldn't advertize

Sony is right to sue...

[Carolina]

12. BUT I saw an ad

for F 9/11 last night on NBC. Despite my overall boycott of that dastardly network, I am addicted to Law & Order; and an ad for F9/11 was aired in the 10-11:00 timeslot last night. It was near the 11:00 PM news. Knocked me off my socks!

[Princess Turandot]

27. I saw an ad as well..

and only watched network programs last night. I did watch L&O so maybe that's where it was.

[Flammable Materials]

32. It's possible it might have been a local buy.

Did you see it on cable, or satellite, or broadcast?

[olddem43]

13. I know of one guy who plans to copy the DVD -

In fact, he bought a DVD copier just for this purpose. He plans to make as many copies as possible and give them away free. He said the only thing he asks from anyone is that they pass it on after viewing. Now, I wouldn't advocate that anyone else do such a thing, of course. Nor would I consider doing anything like this myself. Nor would I suggest that anyone else advocate doing anything like this - of course not, of course not.

[AndyTiedye]

16. Michael Moore Said Copy All You Want

He wants this move seen by as many people as possible.

He's already made more money than he ever dreamed of off the theatrical release,
the most successful documentary ever, by a huge margin.

[jbfam4]

15. Here I thought the 527 groups and Fox faux news

were going to do more to influence the choice of a President...Never thought it would be CBS, NBC, and ABC. Shame on them....What are they afraid of? Their people at press conferences won't be called on?

[AndyTiedye]

17. The Networks Want to Own More TV Stations, Newspapers, Radio Stations, ...

They want to own ALL the news and all the entertainment.
They want you to believe what is good for the corporations that own them.

[aquart]

18. I LOVE the comparison to the fatwa (?) on Rushdie.

[Democat]

19. They will all run Swift Boat ads, right?

All of the networks should have to register as 527 organizations working for Bush.

[Gregorian]

25. That is so true. I love your post.

The hypocracy runs deep.

[progressivebydesign]

20. "THE FILM THE WHITE HOUSE, THE NETWORKS, AND ASHCROFT..

... DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE". First ad??

[stepnw1f]

21. Fascism Never Was Pretty

Boycott those who advertise on their networks. And let them know why.

[Sydnie]

22. This is one DVD release that doesn't seem to need any ads. I'll tell you

why ... sort of. Must protect my position but ...
The DVDs are already in the stores, being held until Tuesday. Even smaller stores are being shipped large quantities and the price will be very affordable, around $14 to $19, depending on the outlet. I know that along with F9/11, other films are being ordered to be "add ons" to this title, including the new Going Upriver (not to be released until 10/19), Uncovered (original release was 4/13/2004 with new version to be released 10/26), Control Room, as well as all of Michael Moore's previous offerings. Included in the mix will be Fog of War and Hunting for the President (which was just released Tuesday). I can assure you that the inquiries for this film have shown that it will sell VERY well, ads or no ads.

I have had this DVD already in my hot little hand. Foot traffic into the stores next Tuesday will be heightened by the younger parent demographic, as well as the grandparent demographic, with the re-release of Aladdin next Tuesday as well. (Anybody else see the irony of the release of these two films on the same day?)

It will be available and it will sell and no one can stop it from coming to pass. Sony and Lions Gate should both get emails of thanks from us. They have seen the battle and they are fighting it and if they make a few bucks in the process, so be it. They are not in the same league as Haliburton, so I am not concerned that they are making a profit at all. It will make them more open to these type of "fringe" (yeah, they wish!) offerings in the future and that is good for all of us.

So, take a second and let Sony and Lions Gate know that you appreciate their courage when no one else seemed to have any.

[llmart]

24. And the director of the library where I work......

already has our copy on order. Library patrons will watch anything on DVD or video that's new. Take my word for it. Of course, I'll put a good word in for it every chance I get.

[Judi Lynn]

40. Great post. Didn't know the big day is next Tuesday.

Can't wait for it to reach Americans who haven't made it into theaters for one reason or another.

Tuesday's going to be BIG!

Welcome to D.U.! :hi: :hi: :hi:

[hyphenate]

26. I think they might as well forget ABC

since it's owned by Disney, and Disney wouldn't work with the producers to get the movie distributed in the first place. You know, regardless of anything else, these corporate bastards control too much of the media, and it's hurting us all in the end.

[T Bone]

28. so it's not about the MARKET, it's about Corporate Media Repression

of free speech.

Wingers will always claim that the reason Rush and his cookie cutter fascist spawn are all over the airwaves is because it is about the 'market place of the airwaves'. They defend it with it is what advertisers will pay to have on air.

So here is Moore and Sony with money in hand approaching the advertising marketplace, willing to pay the going price for an ad in those time slots, and the corporate media shuts them out ?

We are living under a corporate media repression. It is HERE now.

[OutInTheBack40]

30. NPR is pushing the F911 DVD

I heard it today on VPR. Public radio is not afraid to promote Moore's latest works.

[Riptide]

31. I heard it advertised today on Howard Stern...

but that's not surprising. Howard hates Shrub and has had Michael Moore on as a guest.

[stanwyck]

33. Just saw an ad on CBS

while watching CSI. Hope the other networks find their balls.

[robbedvoter]

38. Not during news, news magazines - that's what the article says

avoID AUDIENCES intersted in politics.

[0007]

35. So fucking what?

Guess who runs the country?

[MasterD]

36. OK, so...

...as I posted on another site, the ban only applies to NEWS shows. Ads appearing on "CSI", "Law & Order" (as other posters have already noted, and I saw the same ad too), and "Survivor" will hit MILLIONS of eyeballs.

Don't worry. The word is getting out. This controversy is just more PR.

[KitSileya]

45. And perhaps, it's those viewers they need to reach?

The way I figure it, people who are interested enough in politics to watch newsshows etc, will already have heard about F911, and either seen it or dismissed it out of hand. It's those viewers who aren't interested in politics or the news who would benefit from watching the film, and those are best reached during drama shows - they're an audience who aren't completely stupid (you need a glimmer of intelligence to be interested in CSI and L&O after all.)

And, as has been pointed out, any form of censorship increases notoriety, and that increases the desire to get the forbidden fruit, so to speak.

KitS

[nykiera]

37. Saw an ad on NBC

This morning during the Today show. They showed it during our local news break.

[Cooley Hurd]

41. It was advertised during CNN's "Inside Politics" yesterday...

...surprisingly. :wow:

[struggle4progress]

42. kick

:kick:

[lexicon089]

43. you honestly believe F-911

So am I to take it you guys don't realize that moore spliced the video in several parts of the movie? look guys I'm not planning on voting bush i'm voting for kerry but I don't think people like moore are helpful.

[GimmeDANEger]

44. some examples please.....

besides the newspaper heading early in the movie I haven't heard anything else disputed. All I've heard are petty insults fromt he right. Please specify.

[Dem2theMax]

46. Yes, I honestly believe F 9-11. I've seen it three times and will be

purchasing more than one copy of it as well. How many times, may I ask, have YOU seen it?

As for the video being spliced - isn't that HOW you make movies? Splice the film together? And gee, I never would have known about F 9-11 being spliced had you not mentioned it. I mean, I thought it just flowed from scene to scene - 9-11 itself, * (that's Bush, but we don't like to write out his name), * playing golf, soldiers in Iraq, * fishing, Lila telling us about how her son died, * reading the "Pet Goat" story, MM across the street from the Saudi embassy, * cutting wood, (glad they spliced out that part where he almost cut his arm off with the chainsaw while doing his 'Reagan on the ranch' impression), the 'stalker recruiters', * on the ranch having a big ol' Texas picnic during one of his MANY vacations (where he swore he'd be doing some actual work at some point while he was there), Lila falling apart in front of the White House, * all dressed up in his tux, talking to 'his base', soldiers in Iraq singing 'Burn Motherfucker', * saying 'fool me once'. Yep, it just flowed. Never would have known it was spliced.

You need to go here, purchase some movies and books and get busy viewing and reading. www.michaelmoore.com
Have fun!