ABN is PR BS: CBS News in the Tank for Car Dealers
What does “fuelled by CBS” mean to you? In this case, it’s the Automotive Broadcasting Network, run by the good folks who bring you the Nightly News. OK, not exactly the same folks. (“I didn’t go to J School to tell people to put nitrogen in their tires!”) But CBS anchor Katie Couric’s happy to lend her face, name and voice to the cause, as you can see if you [dare] click on this dealer-enticing video presentation, introed by the divine Miss C herself. For those of you with a weak constitution (especially the bit about freedom of the press), consider: “ABN™ and CBS™ will revolutionize the experience your customers have at your dealership by delivering high quality, custom programming.” As one of TTAC’s resident pedants, I’d like to point out that the term “broadcasting” does not apply here. At all. In any way, shape or form. As someone who remembers the legacy of Edward R. Murrow (no, not the interview with Marilyn Monroe), this 24-7 pimpatorial channel is a complete and utter betrayal of CBS’ hallowed history of perptuating liberal cant. I mean, upholding the highest standards of journalistic ethics. And it sure makes me wonder about CBS’ coverage of the auto industry.
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I completely agree with the friendly mildly attractive white lady on ABN. I hate inappropriate daytime television, so that's why I would hate ABN. I'm glad I only go to the stealership to buy parts, because I can't imagine having to sit through even 10 minutes of that channel! I can see why CBS is doing this. If anyone else is like me and uses their DVR to record anything on CBS, then their advertisers aren't getting much money out of me. Watching DVR'd shows goes so much quicker when you fast forward through all the ads that are supposed to pay the bills at CBS. Too bad Katie has whored herself out for ABN, maybe it's in her contract.
It actually looks like a very good example of American Ingenuity; developing a product that doesn't exist and selling it to people who don't need it. It's not too far off from commercial-satellite radio that is store-friendly for the same reasons, only this channel has opportunity for further commercial-space selling with non-automotive products, while recycling/re-using their own generated content. I'd expect it to be a cash-cow with the advertising space it permits instead of the actual dealer-buy in.
It was a relief to see the video and learn the poor folks in service department waiting rooms will be seeing reruns of CBS shows rather than what your picture of "Assholes By Nature" suggested: pitches from the dealership's used car salesmen. The remaining question is, how much "family friendly" programming can CBS come up with? Its prime-time schedule is mostly about tits, ass, fart jokes, sadism and bloody corpses.