They also implemented short catchy musical stingers and equally brief visual bumpers to transition viewers from one article or segment to another.
Making the transition complete was a big bright studio awash in soft hues of red and blue. Well, the transition was almost complete. The coup de grace was the removal of all the chairs in the studio. That's right. The anchormen, er, ah, make that women, would now stand to deliver the news.
I'd watch that!
Alas the changes, to many, turned what once was a staid and dependable source for a traditional approach to journalism into more of an Entertainment Tonight or MTV approach to the news. Some liked the change. Some didn't. Regardless, all saw it for what it was: an attempt to attract a younger viewer with a fuller wallet. This would entice advertisers to spend more to air their commercials on the public broadcaster. Ah, yes, CBC News Network is publicly funded, not unlike PBS in the States.
Did it work? Well you tell me. I tune in every morning for an hour or so to catch up on what's going on in the world. In that time, the self-proclaimed relevant and hip news source for Canadians aired the following commercials:
- an ad for the Acorn Stairlift that aids seniors with mobility problems to get up and down the stairs in their home in a moving chair
- an ad for CHIP, Canada's Home Income Plan that provides reverse mortgages for senior homeowners
- an ad for Comfort Bathing that promotes walk-in bathtubs for seniors
- an ad for Tena Adult Diapers to help with "bladder leakage" problems for those in their senior years
If I'm supposed to be gettin' down, gettin' it on or gettin' jiggy with the news, then why am I feeling so damn old?
I'm watching the news in double-ply comfort!
Comments
The major networks here keep talking about wanting to capture the younger viewers but the exploding segment of the population is the Baby Boomers and we have cash. Cash to buy the products they are trying to sell as you pointed out. And as Melissa Hicks very funnily (that might not be a word) pointed out, we might want to start spending our money as we only have a limited time to spend it. (sorry nonamedufus, didn't mean to point out the limited time frame concerning our age, as it might depress you)
(Um, I think I just likened myself to a 'cougar'.)
;-)
Personally, I don't think the younger demographic watches much televised news - they are too busy texting, Twitting or whatever so I doubt those 'old-timer' commercials aren't really hurting the Network. IF you think about it, they just remind you to pee before going to bed.
Heh, heh.
Mansbridge was "discovered" when he announced flights in an airport in Northern Ontario. He's come a long way since then.
Let me add: because people (not you) don't want to HAVE to age gracefully, they want to be like dumped Hugh Hefner surrounded by youth and beauty so they can fool themselves that they still gots it!
ha!
AND... I'm not a senior and I have leakage problems. Is there an app for that?
hee hee