It is a new day in American politics. There is a new president, a new crisis and since 2006, a new majority in Congress. As always with our democracy, with each new leadership there is a new opposition. Options to access breaking news used to be limited to the big three networks and their evening news. However, viewers have declared that they want more and have elevated cable news channels to undeniable market share. How can you fix your policy around the clock? Satellite television is a great way to make it happen.
Each network can signal a time when its existence went from fragile to essential. For CNN, it was definitely the Gulf War. From “Stormin ‘” Norman Schwarzkopf to the Butcher of Baghdad, personalities had a star power that was generally reserved for Hollywood. Add to the mix CNN host Wolf Blitzer and you’ve got iconic names that only a screenwriter could have come up with. But it was a reality, and since the early 1990s, Blitzer has been one of the most respected presenters in the business. Viewers can watch it every day in the Situation Room, broadcast on CNN HD. The Situation Room is a balanced look at the daily news, from political articles to reports on celebrities and the economy.
Of course, the big chains have not been left out. The NBC empire found a way to stay on top by using cable channels to extend its reach and maintain its market share. Satellite TV subscribers can tune in to MSNBC for the latest in politics, with shows like Chris Mathews’ Hardball. Like the sound of his name, Mathews is known for his confrontational style during question and answer sessions with politicians. Since his attacks are usually directed with the intention of eliciting direct answers, sometimes impossible with politicians, Mathews has endeared himself to an audience tired of the formal, hollow interviews typical of the news industry. Like any good pitcher, Mathews doesn’t throw a lot of free passes at Hardball.
As for its sister network CNBC, now available in high definition format, the focus is on business. With live reporting from Wall Street and financial centers around the world, CNBC is a great way for an investor to stay on top of trends in an increasingly volatile market. Accused of abusing its influence and somehow fueling the bull market that led to the economic downturn, CNBC has some ground to regain when it comes to public confidence.
If you’re looking for something with a more conservative twist, Fox News Channel and Fox Business Channel offer the alternative to an industry considered by many to be left-wing. You won’t find any liberals at Fox (unless you’re on the bench) and you can see how the Republican party plans to fight to bounce back after recent defeats in the national elections.
Finally, if you’ve had enough of serious politics, check out John Stewart’s daily show on Comedy Central. Stewart, who delivers a critical and often funny version of the news, shows that even reporting can be fun. With satellite television, everyone makes their case; you can decide for yourself.