NEWS: On Universal/NBC Merger

CULTURE: On Universal/NBC Merger

Today, NBC and Vivendi Universal have completed their merger. The joint conglomerate now consists of "NBC Network, Universal Pictures, a stable of cable properties, theme parks and 29 TV stations -- a 24-hour promo machine". The GE company has also included the Sci Fi Channel and Universal Television.

When huge media conglomerates get together, there's a lot of mixed feelings. On one hand, a growing number of consumers are outraged about yet another media company controlling airwaves, television, movies. Even General Electric, it is believed, can not be a legitimate source of news because of their ties to the defense industry. Of course, CBS' parent company may be biased, as is ABC, CNN, etc. All of these are public domain and well cited to support arguments for breaking up multimedia ownership.
The one thing that is troublesome when looking at "corporate synergy" at this huge of a level is ability to actually produce thought provoking television programs, motion-pictures, and music. One only has to look at Miramax and its parent company and the whole non-debacles that have ensued around Farenheit 911 and Dogma for an example of a synergy cluster-fuck. Sony, as reported by Wired, also had this problem.

So I wonder not necessarily about the censorship aspects of a large corporation like NBC-U/Universal, but I wonder about the ability of this new company to actually produce content that is meaningful, challenges us to think and feel, and not have us so jaded with stories about how a movie was black-listed, or an episode of a sitcom is unaired, because it "would not be in the best interest of the Company."

Could this spell the end of the masturbating bear?

IN-
A-
Propriate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:wicked guitar lick:

Just start paying attention to what movies and items are promoted or placed within other media items. For example, the cover of Time magazine is going to go to a story promoting a new Warner Bros movie, not because its good, but because it is cross promotional. What magazines or TV shows do characters in sitcoms consume. Expect to see a lot more adds for Universal products on NBC, and embedded within NBC programming.

You know the conglomeration of media has been a concern of mine for quite a while now. Ever since I worked with independent radio stations back in 96. People told me there were "bigger" political issues at hand. When Michael Powell took over the FCC I cringed... people told me to quit being so uptight.

AOL/Time Warner, Disney/Comcast, when are people gonna start to wake up dammit?

All I know is that Conan did a BRILLIANT piece on his show last night that related to the NBC/Universal merger.

Conan: So NBC and Universal have merged, which is great, because it allows me to do things I haven't been able to do before. It just so happens that Universal owns USA network, which runs the show "Walker, Texas Ranger" three or four times a day. Man, they really love that show. Since I now work for Universal and NBC, I can show clips of "Walker, Texas Ranger" whenever I want.

*Lifts red cloth, reveals giant lever*

Conan: I like to call this my "Walker, Texas Ranger Lever." Whenever I pull it, a clip from "Walker, Texas Ranger" gets played.

*Proceeds to pull lever*

He pulled that lever at least 10 times during the show, and each time a hilariously inane clip from Walker, Texas Ranger got played. Man I love Conan.

INNNNNNNNNN-
AAAAAAA-
Propriate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:even more wicked guitar lick: