 merrie says: "It's an enormous financial cost when the president replaces one of those prime-time hours. The news divisions also have mixed feelings about whether they are being used." "It's an enormous financial cost when the president replaces one of those prime-time hours. The news divisions also have mixed feelings about whether they are being used." Tensions have been building behind the scenes. Some television executives say the Bush administration informally floated possible news conference dates in advance, while Obama officials basically notify the networks of their plans. Such an approach prompted calls between White House officials and the top executives at each network, and a meeting between Gibbs and the Washington bureau chiefs. But little changed. White House officials essentially dictated the timing when they decided to hold an evening session on the 100th day of Obama's term and again on July 22. In that instance, network executives say, the White House announced the event on its Twitter feed less than an hour after informing them. The financial stakes are considerable. ABC, CBS and NBC have given up as much as $40 million in advertising revenue to carry this year’s East Room events. “We lose more than $3 million a show,” Moonves told Mediaweek. The Fox broadcast network has declined to carry the last two Obama sessions. The audience is gradually dwindling. The last presser drew 24 million viewers, a significant number but a 50 percent decline from Obama’s first such event in February. The lingering question is how much of an obligation the networks have to carry these news confer... |
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