The article is short, so worth the read, but here’s the TL;DR:

  1. Commercial Breaks
  2. No Opening Statements
  3. Muted microphones, no notes
  4. No Live Audience
  • Zachariah@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Commercial Breaks

    What the fuck?

    Broadcasters are using public spectrum. They don’t need to make money off of this.

    • Admiral Patrick@dubvee.orgOP
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      4 months ago

      Broadcasters are using public spectrum. They don’t need to make money off of this.

      They sure don’t, but it definitely represents the current state of the union where everything and everyone has to be monetized 🤷‍♂️

      • Zachariah@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Are cable lines entirely running through private land? Is CNN carried on a satellite television provider?

        • jordanlund@lemmy.worldM
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          4 months ago

          Public spectrum is over the air broadcast frequencies. Cable is, by definiton, not on that.

          • Zachariah@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            Yes cable television doesn’t use broadband spectrum, but it still relies on other public resources.

            And satellite broadcasts do use spectrum allotted by the government, and CNN is carried on satellite.

            Additionally, why are we allowing CNN to incorporate if it does not benefit society? The government shouldn’t be letting companies incorporate that only serve entirely their own interests.

            • jordanlund@lemmy.worldM
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              4 months ago

              The government has defined “public spectrum” and that’s not their definition.

              The public benefit aspect of incorporation also hasn’t been a thing in, what? Decades? Shit, now I need to google that…

              • Zachariah@lemmy.world
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                4 months ago

                Okay, I’m convinced. They must run commercials. Edit: You’ve proven me wrong.

                • ripcord@lemmy.world
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                  4 months ago

                  They didn’t say that and you know they didn’t say it even imply it. You’re just being shitty.

                  • Zachariah@lemmy.world
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                    4 months ago

                    Edit: You’re right. There, I’ve edited it for you.

                    I’m not sure of the point they’re trying to make.

                    CNN is carried on spectrum allotted to satellite television. The public could have our governments allot that for any use. There’s no reason it should only benefit media companies. Unless those companies are benefiting the public.

                    Even CNN sent through wires often travels through public land.

                    Given both of these, I see no reason CNN would need to air commercials during the presidential debate. Thats the point I’m trying to make.

                    If they are disagreeing with my main point, I give up and concede defeat. I see no point in trying to convince them anymore.

                    If they’re nitpicking that I said spectrum before knowing it was CNN, then perhaps they’re the one being shitty. But I honestly don’t know what their point is. Maybe it is to argue that CNN is a private company and requires advertising to stay profitable.

    • Guy_Fieris_Hair@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      They have been making money for the last decade off of Trumps presidential shenanigans, they aren’t going to stop milking that cow now. They can still get another decade out if him, even if he died today.

    • OsaErisXero@kbin.run
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      4 months ago

      Commercial breaks are also breaks in the debate where the candidate can stop and think/get fed his next talking point/line

      • 0110010001100010@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        From the article:

        However, campaign staff will be prohibited from interacting with their respective candidates during these intermissions, denying them the opportunity for strategic consultations or to touch up the candidates’ appearance.

        • Wrench@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          But are they allowed to roll out some recliners for a quick grandpa nap?

          • TheDoozer@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            They are both obviously old, so a couple sitting down breaks in the debate seems legitimately reasonable.

            I’m in my 40s, and while I could stand and talk for 90 minutes, it would be pretty uncomfortable and my back would be aching a bit by the end. I don’t think I could do it at 80.

          • 0110010001100010@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            lol that would be hilarious actually, I can picture it in my head. As the commercial break ends the camera fades to black then the stage slowly fades in. Both candidates are passed out in their chairs drooling all over. An infomercial for dentures blares from an unseen TV. As the TV is turned off both of them jolt awake and hobble slowly back to their podiums.

            • Poppa_Mo@lemmy.world
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              4 months ago

              Teams need to come out like pit crews. They wheel the recliners in super fast, make sure they’re both dressed in their Grandpa Joe PJs (Willy Wonka, no relation).