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From: merchant@dartvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: MTV Censorship
Message-ID: <2648@dartvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 19-Dec-84 09:09:52 EST
Article-I.D.: dartvax.2648
Posted: Wed Dec 19 09:09:52 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Dec-84 00:58:32 EST
References: <2639@dartvax.UUCP> <715@pucc-k>
Distribution: net
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
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> 
> 	The point:  LET THE AUDIENCE DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE/HEAR!
> If there are those in the audience who, after seeing the Bronski Beat
> and listening to their stuff, don't want them on MTV because they
> advocate alternative lifestyles, then they can express their opinion to
> the MTV management, which can then decide (based on these viewer opinions
> whether or not this video is appropriate for their audience.
> 
> 	BTW, this sort of censorship is the problem with network 
> (ABC|CBS|NBC) TV . . . they assume that their audience cannot think
> for themselves.
> -- 
> 
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Henry C. Mensch  |  User Confuser | Purdue University User Services
> {ihnp4|decvax|ucbvax|seismo|allegra|cbosgd|harpo}!pur-ee!pucc-i!ag5
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>            "Ah, the sweet song of the morning grouch!"

Everyone misinterprets the networks.  I always hear the same thing:
"They assume you can't think for yourself."

You see, the audience DOES decide what they want to see for videos
on MTV.  They decide with a marvelous device called 'the channel
selector.'  If MTV gets exceedingly grim, they'll change over to
VH-1 (or, even worse, NBC!).  The problem is, once you have lost
your audience, it is hard to get them back.  If I get disgusted by
a video on MTV, I may suddenly discover that NBC shows some really
funny sitcoms at that time.  I'll start watching NBC instead of
MTV.  And that, my friend, means money lost.

For MTV (or any other major network) to make money, they have to
hit a good cross section of Americana.  They have to appeal to
more than just a (dare I say it) minority group of Americans.
If they don't, they don't make money.  That is the bottom line:
M-O-N-E-Y.

Now, I think the reason that MTV doesn't play their video often
(4:30AM isn't what I'd call a peak viewing time) is just due to
a lack of popularity.  But let's say that this video that you
think is good but deals with the touchy subject of homosexuality
comes across your desk.  You are chief music director for MTV.
Do you run it or don't you?

You say "Yes!"  MTV runs it.  People love it.  It is released as
a single and jumps to #1 in two days.  And, you / MTV get another
feather in your cap.

You say "Yes!"  MTV runs it.  People hate it.  People tune away.
Money sinks.  The boss confiscates your key to the executive wash-
room.

You say "No."  And nothing happens.

MTV isn't in the business for their health.  They're not in it
to be a service to the millions of huddled masses yearning to
be free.  It's all part of our marvelous capitalist system.
We all feel a bit put upon when things don't go our way because
we aren't in the majority.  But before you run around screaming
that "This is not right!" and trying to drag in the ACLU, stop
for a moment and look at it from THEIR SIDE.
--
"And on that note..."                      Peter Merchant