CNN

[canman]

What has happened to CNN recently. They have cut most of their US programming and have gone to stuff from Hong Kong instead. I wonder if it is cheaper than buying from the US. Also I hate those damn tickers at the bottom of the screen. I have been recording the Euro 2008 games since they are played at 3:45 am, then watching them later. This am I was watching the news and the bastards flash the scores at the bottom of the screen ruining the whole game. I will still watch it but it sucks when you already know the outcome. I have been very careful not to check sports sites or anything until I watch the game. I do check ESPN, but since this is soccer no worries about them showing the scores.

[GomiGirl]

I thought it was because it was more relevant for CNNJ viewers to have a view of Asia rather than just the US.

However, I was kinda addicted to the coverage of the primaries and all the commentary from the talking heads of all political persuasions, but in reality, it was compelling - more like watching a train wreck than important news that affects my daily life. I am not american and I don't live there so the debates were just drama for me.

But now that most of the CNN news is asia focussed and not as glitzy, I think it is really serving my needs better. I do miss the eye candy of all the artwork though.

[canman]

It's a good point GG, but I thought that a great deal of their viewers were travelers and expats, who did want the news from home. I too am not American, but have found this whole primary process and the like very interesting. Sometimes I could kill Wolf Blitzer for his stupid comments, but either Jack Cafferty or Jeff Toubin know how to put him in his place with a pithy remark.

[xenomorph42]

It's a good point GG, but I thought that a great deal of their viewers were travelers and expats, who did want the news from home. I too am not American, but have found this whole primary process and the like very interesting. Sometimes I could kill Wolf Blitzer for his stupid comments, but either Jack Cafferty or Jeff Toubin know how to put him in his place with a pithy remark.

Personally, I loved watching Lou Dobbs, the rest of the news out of HK is very boring, at least I can still watch 360 with Anderson cooper, but it's only 1 hour and that sucks too. World news is great, but the morning news from HK is too lame. the news anchors are just mind numbing and outright horrible. Nothing upbeat. At least Wolf Blitzer and the rest can give you a few laughs. But the other stuff...waaaay too painful. Why CNN did what they did is way beyond me.

[GomiGirl]

Maybe it is because the primaries are over that they have switched to an Asian focus.

Now they are focussing on real world news and not the minutae of each sentence the primary candidates utter.

But the HK newsroom is not as glitzy with flashing eye candy as the US ones but it has much more substance.

[xenomorph42]

Maybe it is because the primaries are over that they have switched to an Asian focus.

Now they are focussing on real world news and not the minutae of each sentence the primary candidates utter.

But the HK newsroom is not as glitzy with flashing eye candy as the US ones but it has much more substance.

Well, I think that is a matter of opinion, if you don't like the flashy glitter-fine. On CNN the US version "World Report" that they usually show on the weekends wasn't that as you call it "glitzy" but effective, coverage overall decent,but to imply the HK edition has more substance is a complete joke! There is no lively debate on any of the daily important issues that affect us all. No one is challenged, just news. I might as well as read a news paper. At least people like Wolf Blitzer, the late Tim Russert, Mike Wallace..just to name a few of some of the best in the business. the Anchors a bit lively, but they never tackle the hardcore issues that matter. The HK version is way too lame, seriously, as a former reporter, it's bad, But if that is the choice that the company wants to make, so be it.
But overall, this is the worst that it's been.

[canman]

I have to agree with Xenmorth, the news from HK is just like watching paint dry. I too really miss Lou Dobbs and his railing on the gov't about illegal immigration and the selling out of America. He did have some pretty provocative guests on his show. American morning was a bit over the top, but it did have its moments. I wish they would go back to the old format, but it doesn't look like it, unless there is a large outcry. I emailed them and asked why the change but didn't get any response.

[GomiGirl]

Just to change the subject a bit, I emailed FOX in Japan to complain that they were only showing the dubbed version of "House" a while ago. They have access to the bilingual version and the set-top boxes are bilingual, so why only show the Japanese? I didn't get a reply but then a week or so later, the bilingual version was available. Might just be a co-incidence, but I was pleased none the less.

I wonder how many people send emails to cable TV stations? This was the first time I had done it. It was a fair request I thought and perhaps they agreed. Who knows?

[canman]

I've emailed a few times and never received a response. Not very good customer relations if you asked me. And its not like I was spamming them with repeated requests, only a considerate question. I mailed WOWOW asking them why they didn't add the English commentary for the French Open or the US Open tennis tournaments. Of course there is an English feed, but they don't add it to the broadcast. I am so pleased that they have included the British announcers for the Euro 2008. It really does make a big difference when the announcers know what they are talking about and they know the names of the players and their club teams etc. The Japanese guys only seem to know a few star players and ramble on until one of them touches the ball and then they scream at the top of their lungs.
On another aside GG, isn't House one of the best shows on TV? And to think it is written by a Canadian no less!

[xenomorph42]

Just to change the subject a bit, I emailed FOX in Japan to complain that they were only showing the dubbed version of "House" a while ago. They have access to the bilingual version and the set-top boxes are bilingual, so why only show the Japanese? I didn't get a reply but then a week or so later, the bilingual version was available. Might just be a co-incidence, but I was pleased none the less.

I wonder how many people send emails to cable TV stations? This was the first time I had done it. It was a fair request I thought and perhaps they agreed. Who knows?

I think generally, they really don't give a fig what you and I think. They just care ultimately about the subscribers!:confused:

[GomiGirl]

aren't we subscribers though?

[Blah Pete]

I have to switch CNN off when they change over from CNN International to Good Morning America or whatever they call it. The format sucks and the news team seem like they are all stuck in high school.
CNN International is about 5x more professional the the USA version.

[xenomorph42]

aren't we subscribers though?

I meant to say, subscribers as in; just getting the numbers, but in the end when you "the subscriber"signs the contract, their job is done. They got ther money.
They kinda remind me a little bit of the sleazy oil companies.

[Bucky]

the news team seem like they are all stuck in high school.

Mrs. Bucky was the first Japanese employee at CNN's Tokyo Bureau in 1982. The Bureau was located in the JCTV building in Roppongi. In those days the extent of the Asian news coverage was the Tokyo Business Report they uploaded to Atlanta Monday through Friday for a 1/2 hour taste of news from Japan. Those broadcasts really did seem like high school.