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Home Front: WoT
Sinclair to Preempt `Nightline’ on ABC Stations, Cites Politics
2004-04-29
April 29 (Bloomberg) -- Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. ordered its ABC affiliates to preempt tomorrow’s broadcast of ``Nightline,’’ which will air the names and photos of U.S. military personnel who have died in combat in Iraq, saying the move is politically motivated.

Ted (Howdy Doody) Koppel gets a little slap

. . .

Sinclair owns stations affiliated with ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, WB and UPN in 39 markets.
Posted by:BigEd

#15  corporate patriotic stones - gotta applaud that
Posted by: Frank G   2004-04-29 11:44:48 PM  

#14  Sinclair Broadcasters Website


Here is the link. They are interesting cats.

While Sinclair would support an honest effort to honor the memory of these brave soldiers, we do not believe that is what "Nightline" is doing. Rather, Mr. Koppel and "Nightline" are hiding behind this so-called tribute in an effort to highlight only one aspect of the war effort and in doing so to influence public opinion against the military action in Iraq.

Yet they mention this :

Based on published reports, we are aware of the spouse of one soldier who died in Iraq who opposes the reading of her husband's name to oppose our military action. We suspect she is not alone in this viewpoint. As a result, we have decided to preempt the broadcast of "Nightline' this Friday on each of our stations which air ABC programming.

Posted by: BigEd   2004-04-29 11:42:52 PM  

#13  Inc.?
Posted by: Frank G   2004-04-29 11:11:02 PM  

#12  Thanks.

Are the a family or something?
Posted by: Saideira   2004-04-29 11:07:43 PM  

#11  indpendent owner of multiple ABC (and other nets) franchise outlets
Posted by: Frank G   2004-04-29 10:47:19 PM  

#10  Forgive the ignorance, but what is Sinclair?
Posted by: Saideira   2004-04-29 10:41:33 PM  

#9  Charlie Gibson's bitch-slap to Kerry this week gave me hope; Koppel knocks it right back down again.

Fuck these guys, and Comedy Central, while we're at it. Spike TV's the place ya oughta be!
Posted by: geezer   2004-04-29 10:22:27 PM  

#8  The purpose of this for ABC is not political, but financial, as this is a ratings stunt by ABC for the start of the May sweep period. Sinclair's decision is not without cost to Sinclair and is therefor to be even more admired.

If Sinclair wants to really put Koppel down where he belongs, it should run the program on Memorial Day with a mix of patriotic music playing softly in the background. These folks deserve to be honored and have their sacrifice recognized appropriately.
Posted by: Mr. Davis   2004-04-29 10:07:26 PM  

#7  badnov - if you do watch it - could you please take notes for the rest of us. I intend to write letters of complaint.
Posted by: B   2004-04-29 10:02:52 PM  

#6  Did anyone else's jaw hit the floor?

It is awesome of Sinclair to stand up for our national defense and for those who are fighting as well as their families.

It is equally appalling that ABC would stoop to making a spectacle of the war dead for political purposes. I will be watching tomorrow for whomever advertises on it.
Posted by: badanov   2004-04-29 9:43:31 PM  

#5  Maybe they can sell the tape to HBO or Showtime. PBS would definitely air it.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-04-29 8:20:20 PM  

#4  You got it, Jen

As I said, Howdy Doody Koppel got a slap
Posted by: BigEd   2004-04-29 8:01:28 PM  

#3  This is my favorite part:
`Despite the denials by a spokeswoman for the show, the action appears to be motivated by a political agenda designed to undermine the efforts of the United States in Iraq,'' the company said in a faxed statement. Sinclair, which owns 62 U.S. television stations, said ABC is disguising political statements as news content.

Bravo, Sinclair!
At last, someone "Big" in America has the guts to say this openly and publicly what we've all been saying privately for years!
Posted by: Jen   2004-04-29 7:58:28 PM  

#2  allright Bloomberg! Anyone know who the advertisers will be? It would be great if we could get it pulled all together. Just like Air America, it would send a message to the LLL - you are small, stupid, unliked and outnumbered.
Posted by: B   2004-04-29 7:53:00 PM  

#1  This came from DRUDGE - Sorry
Posted by: BigEd   2004-04-29 7:37:18 PM  

00:00