I stand by my comments, Dave. It's not passivity--it's reality. I hope that your efforts, whatever they are are fruitful, however, Good luck.

My point is Ed that we can't always wait for leaders, or parties to lead us, but need to make our own imitative. Clearly, there are real problems on the Demcratic side, but the NJ and Va governor races were big steps. We can't wait for rumors or health issues or whatever to play out. I am a believer in Branch Rickey's saying that "luck is the residue of design." Our luck will need to be made; we can't just wait for it.

Ed, I'm surprised by your passivity, or willful ignorance of what you can do. How about use your voice? Write letters? Support candidates? Work the polls?
Is it really so hard for you to parse who and what are right in the issue of Ukraine right now?

Dave, while I agree with most of what you say, I'm not sure I get exactly what "we" are supposed to do about it. It's unrealistic to think that advertisers--coming from all sorts of directions and interests ---are going to band together and support only those news sources that "get it right"--or "tell the truth", thereby forcing our news media to fight the battle for us. Who gets to decide what is the "truth?" Is my question.

I think that "we"--and the brave Ukranians--will have to wait it out until the voters finally decide that enough is enough. That may happen sooner than"we" think, indeed, it may happen in  some other way, sooner, if some of the rumors about revolts in the GOP, Trump's health, etc. are true. But who is going to lead  "us" our of this mess--the Democrat party which still hasn't figured out that the voters want solutions not just talking points about how bad the GOP is?

I totally agree Frank, and the loss of string, independent media at the local level is particularly problematic. They carried the reasoned voice with a local relevance into the home, day in and day out.

"Working in the media gives us responsibilities greater than the value of the advertisements bought and sold each day. ... We also have a big interest in free, independent democracies."

Thank you, Dave. It's a shame that the mainstrem media has lost its way as its billionaire ownership cabal is an accoplice to and willing partner of the class that has conveniently forgotten media's primary roles as society's watchdog, not as its lapdog for the powerful and wealthy. 

Headline should be People Inc., not USA Today. 

Joe, thank you for the shout out to PQ Media. One thing you didn't mention is the Brian's new ground-up version at Magna mirrored the PQ Model, which he and I discussed soon after he released his first report. If you decide to continue this exercise, we would glad to participate. You also should consider WARC, PWC, and possibly eMarketer (not sure if they cover all the industries) who continue to publish annual reports with advertising & marketing data.  

Well, I guess my concern here is whether the looming spectre of damages from lawsuits will influence the court to misapply law yet again. Lifelong Republican here, but I have lost faith in The Supreme Court. Derangement begets derangement, and it is not only trickling down from this administration, but overflowing like a waterfall after a record rainfall. 

These numbers can be manipulated with fake click and false accounts. I was removed by one of the above when I complained about Chinese click farms and a group of online hookers. These were not small attack.  I will further say X might be the best at clearing out fake accounts that create false views. For this reason, they should be rated higher in this poll. 

A few years ago, sponsoring a float cost the brands $75,000. Image the fees exceeded $100,000 in 2025.

Oh for the days when it was little more than marching bands from across the country, Popeye and Mickey Mouse balloons, and Santa. I much prefer Philly's Mummer's Day Parade, sponsored only by (this is true) IBEW Local Union 98, Live! Casino & Hotel, and McDonald's, and of course a few thousand drunken mummers who can't play the banjo and nobody cares.  Priceless!

Gee, too bad about the First Amendment to the Constitution, that "freedom of the press" thing and a functioning democracy.

For anyone needing a refresher: This protection is essential for a functioning democracy, as it allows the media to inform the public without government censorship and criticism of officials. The First Amendment also protects the right to freedom of speech and prevents government restrictions on what can be published or said, with some exceptions like obscenity, defamation, and incitement to violence.

But hey, when MSM seems to be fully owned by complicit ownership, no biggie, right?

I did this once too for a timeshare presentation in New Orleans (for aquarium tickets). From sales technique (learning) standpoint, it was illuminating to observe the dance of the sales rep, the "manager" and the "closer", who each offered increasingly advantageous deals "just for us", "today only" and "a special opportunity". They were very good (and practiced). My wife was swayed, but we were newly married and didn't have two nickels to rub together. The purchase of a long-term vacation commitment was beyond our means. Still, a great sales training experience and the aquarium was wonderful.

I guess I just proved your point.

I think it is time we revisited the lexicon for describing TV types. 

Generally we talk about linear versus streaming. But linear is a mode of consumption; streaming is a mode of distribution. Streaming as the technology for getting content and ads into my home is in the process of disintermediating broadcast, cable and satellite. But if I watch Law & Order: SVU on YouTube TV at 9PM Thursday, or if I watch a football game on Prime, aren't I watching linear TV? (as in, "it's on now"; it's time slot-dependent.) Both these sources get into my home via streaming.

I think there are two dichotomies here that we are blurring: mode of distribution (broadcast/cable/satellite versus streaming); and consumer behavior (time-based versus on-demand viewing.)

Because of the unquestioned importance of sports to the entire video ecosystem, this isn't a trivial point. I think if programmers and advertisers want to make the best decisions about content and advertising management, they'd be best-served by disentangling distribution technology and consumer behavior.

So, nothing has changed at CBS in 23 years?  Would Mr. Goldberg approve of the hiring of an unqualified, inexperienced lightweight to make personnel, editorial, and other decisions at CBS news?

Good column.  Enjoyed reading this. HOpe you had a good Thanksgiving

Linda

"To me, incentivizing you to take my meeting feels, well, a little icky -- too much like bribery." I agree. I am reminded of the time my wife and I accepted an offer of a free show in Las Vegas. All we had to do was sit through a presentation on a "great offer" on a time share. Never again!

I found that Ole' Smokey peanutbutter whisky is smoother and taste better and is $10 less a bottle.

I think the cap should move up to 50 or 55% in my opinion, I believe that outside of O&O networks outside of NYC, LA, & CHI etc that there will only be 3 major TV groups Nexstar, Gray, & Sinclair in my opinion.

On the other hand,Wayne, buying WBD would give Netflix a strong national and minternational TV nes presence that is still very profitable as well as the capability to churn out "original" TV series and made-for-TV movies for its own use that can be syndicated to others for profit. As for "original" movies that are initially distributed theatrically, owning a major Hollywood film maker would give netflix an opportunity to get such content for its library at more reasonable rates by sensible cost cutting--not overpaying stars, etc. ---and better control of theme and subject selections with Netflix's  foreign as well as domestic interests being considered. 

So we have seen 40% lift in ad performance with AI where the consumer request a call from business and the AI bridges call center and consumer. No one dials, no one waits on hold, and no missed calls. Other stat is 90% reduction call center hours compared to other campaigns.

@David Raab: Would love to read your take and happy to publish it H2M (on MediaPost), if that's something you're interesetd in. Happy Thanksgiving.