Some Great Info on INDTV the new Gore/Hyatt cable channel

[HootieMcBoob]

http://www.indtv.tv/vlog/vlog.html

There's some good stuff here. It's mostly a blog but there are at least four vlogs or videologs as well. The second one is an idea on how indtv would have handled the cbs memo thing. another interesting vlog is (the third one I think) of the person who will be training the new workers for the network talking to a bunch of trainees or potential trainees on "why television sucks" and why indtv is going to be different. Check it out!
:toast:

[Newsjock]

1. Warning: Unpopular idea follows

I wish nothing but the best for Gore et al. with INdTV, but something eats at me as I look at those oh-so-hip webpages.

I'm 43 (and a half) years old, and I'm looking for the same type of TV that INdTV seems to be promising. But it's clear from the text that not only am I not the target audience -- I'd probably not even be wanted as an employee. I really got tired of seeing the word "young" over and over again in the recruiting ads -- almost to the point of wondering if there is some subtle type of age discrimination being practiced here.

As someone who's just about had it with working at daily newspapers where our respectability is tanking and our commitment to civics is eroding by the day, I'd love to work someplace like INdTV -- or someplace else where, once again, I could make a difference in journalism, the way I'd been taught it was going to be.

But, sorry, I guess I'm not trendy enough for Al Gore and friends. :(

</rant>

[HootieMcBoob]

2. Here's one response to your concern from the website

I'm actually the exact same age as you - 43. I understand that their target audience is 18 - 34 but actually so is most of commercial TV these days. If you think you might like to give it a try get a video camera and go for it dude. I'm sure I saw at least one old fogie with a big grey beard listening to the trainer talk on one of the vlogs. Listen to what the guy has to say about JK Rowling. I think you might find it interesting. What I get from it is they're looking for creative ideas. Nothing to do with trendy - just open news reporting. I think this is your chance :) Here's what they say:

First, just to address some questions and concerns that we've been hearing.

1) The Age thing: Pretty sure that we've gone over this before but here we go again. There is absolutely no age restriction when it comes to INdTV. That means both people who want to apply to work with us as well as people who will eventually watch the network. Our goal is to be inclusive not exclusive. Indeed we carefully crafted the language of the website and some of our outreach to solicit a certain type of response - ideally with attititude and perspective. My language has not been so carefully crafted. I edited some of my own language, the proverbial @#$!, so as not to offend those that get easily offended. Don't worry: when I mean to offend, I will.

People have also got the impression that we're only looking for "kids" because we're conducting events on college campuses. I can see how that thinking goes but the truth is that, well, frankly it's free. Yup, in all cases, we've been able to get free space at universities to conduct these meetings. The rooms are large, the locations central, and acoustics good. I wish it were more elaboarte than that but it's really not. Don't get me wrong, we're very happy to solicit folks from academic programs but our goal certainly is not to scare away anyone who's allergic to school. We just ike to save a few $$$$ and put it to other means.

Truthfully - and feedback on this is welcome - we went through a process on this. Our first event in SF was held at a bar called Bambudhha. Great bar, great vibe, great party. But, problem was, in our analysis after the fact, we weren't throwing a party. We were soliciting peeps (I'm learning!) to come work with with us, not party with us (yet). The bar environment didn't feel quite right and/or conducive to helping people understand what we were about. No one could really hear anyone else. Next came New York City. We had some connections at NYU and Columbia U. (Michael taught at both, I attended Columbia undergrad). We decided on NYU because it seemed easier to get to for people after work. (I have my own feelings on this as Columbia alumnae but will keep them to myself for now). NYU went well, so in DC we figured to go through with George Washington and Howard. Can see how it makes people think we're targeting younger but what's the cost effective alternative?

<on edit: i added some stuff up top>

[Newsjock]

3. Thanks for finding that

I missed that page while sitting here at work. Of course, I wouldn't even think of being one of those on-the-air folks; I have a face that's definitely made for radio. But behind the scenes, yes -- all these bright minds need mentors, leaders, historical context, and, yes, even people to administer their health plans and 401(k)'s.