How Cable News Changes American Politics And Culture

1A

NPR

News

4.3 • 4.5K Ratings

🗓️ 24 August 2023

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

For more than 80 years, cable television has been at the center of American politics and culture. While streaming platforms have driven many families to cut the cord, there are still more than 72 million active cable subscribers according to the National Cable and Telecommunications Association.

News remains a huge part of Americans' cable television diet. But the industry is at a crossroads, with cable subscriptions down 30 percent over the past decade. Giants of the industry like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC have cut their staffs.

We discuss how cable news has shaped our politics and culture and its role in the 2024 Presidential election.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The presumed vehicle of OJ Simpson is still traveling very slowly northbound along the five
0:14.8	three ways.
0:15.8	A big call to make CNN announces that we call Florida in the Al Gore column.
0:21.0	This is a state both campaigns has crashed right into the world trade center.
0:26.6	You can see the smoke and the flames coming out of the shed.
0:30.0	More than 270, more than enough to become the 44th president of the United States.
0:36.4	He will be the first passenger in America inside the Capitol building in a quite an incredible
0:43.2	act that I think you could revolt is not as a word that, you know, can be.
0:47.9	Cable News outlets have played a central role in covering some of the biggest stories
0:51.8	in America.
0:52.8	Think about how many times over the years, Cable News didn't just cover the story, but
0:57.2	became part of the story.
0:59.2	Think OJ Simpson, the Tea Party movement, the rise of Donald Trump.
1:03.8	Over the last ten years, there's been nearly a 30% drop in cable subscriptions across
1:08.2	America.
1:09.2	That's according to the National Cable and Telecommunications Association.
1:12.8	CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, of course, are among the cable TV network struggling to retain
1:18.6	viewership.
1:19.6	So, how did Cable News get to where it is now?
1:22.8	And how could it influence the 24 presidential campaign?
1:26.2	We get to all those questions and a lot more right after this break, and we also hear your
1:30.6	thoughts on Cable TV.
	...

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