NEW YORK CITY -- As you may well know, last week the American Broadcast Company (ABC) switched the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Avondale, Ariz. from WABC to ESPN 120 seconds before America's Funniest Home Videos aired.
But here is some food for thought on the late switch.
Walt Disney sent a message last week that it values its own bottom line over the people's interest.
Imagine if ABC switched an NBA game in order to accommodate its big city news or Ugly Betty. Or if CBS switched a college football game in order to air Guiding Light or CSI. Or if NBC switched Wimbledon in order to air paid programming. Or if FOX switched a Major League Baseball game in order to air COPS or 24.
Imagine the uproar each of these shenanigans would have gotten.
Brian France was right in criticizing Disney for pulling its Sprint Cup coverage during the red flag for a bad wreck that saw David Gilliland's Fusion on the top of the hood of Scott Speed's Camry.
Not every person has cable, Dish or DirecTV. And that is where Mr. France's criticism is valid.
If you are going to air the four main sports events from start to finish, then do so for NASCAR.
Monday, November 17, 2008
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