Posts Tagged ‘Rupert Murdoch’

Captain Courageous vs. The World

Posted: August 22, 2012 in Business, Media, Newspapers
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Following on from the wonderful world of Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. The only other name that is synonymous with media domination is Ted Turner. Nicknamed ‘The Mouth from the South’ and ‘Captain Courageous’ for his outspoken nature and controversial statements; Ted is never one to shy away from a good fight. For those interested in the machinations of media moguls, especially in the 1990’s, you will be familiar with the rivalry between Rupert Murdoch and Ted Turner.

The rivalry came to a head not in the boardroom of Turner Broadcasting Systems or News Corp but on the water during the 1983 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Rupert Murdoch’s yacht collided and sank Ted Turner’s boat after which Ted challenged Rupert to a good old fashioned Fist fight. Rupert politely declined. However, this attitude to life, obstacles and challenges is a clear indication of Ted’s approach to life.

If Rupert Murdoch is a consummate deal maker then Ted Turner is a visionary. I would pay good money to see them in a boxing ring for the sheer entertainment and monetary value this would generate. Apart from the fact that Rupert or Ted at 81 and 73 respectively would probably have a heart attack. If these two icons of the Media World decided to work together on any project I would bet my last dollar in that venture. It is rare that we see such uniquely skilled yet polar opposite contemporaries in one lifetime.

In 1979 the idea that we, the audience, would be able to watch news unfold 24-hours a day was not a reality. One man, Ted, not only thought that it was possible but made it a reality on June 1st 1980. As usual, Ted Turner lived up to his nickname ‘Captain Courageous’ and took on the World with his US based Cable News Network (CNN). Today in the age of instant news and constant updates on Twitter no one in this generation would realise how truly revolutionary CNN was.

From taking over his father’s billboard company at the age of 24 Ted Turner grew his interests in Media with News Stations, TV Studios, Sports teams, World Wrestling Entertainment and Philanthropy foundations. From US$1 Million in revenue from his father’s business to an estimated fortune of US$3 Billion in 1997 Ted turned his vision into a reality. One could accuse Ted of making his billions by showing bad news 24-hours a day and making his fortune from other’s misfortunes.

CNN US truly came into its own during the 1986 Challenger disaster, which was only shown live by CNN. Every other station in the US showed the CNN live feed. The 1987 the Jessica Mclure saga, of an 18-month old who was rescued from down a well, again put CNN live in the minds of millions of Americans and audiences internationally watched the entire rescue effort. The biggest event, that also cost the lives of thousands of innocent American and Arab lives, the 1991 Gulf War, firmly established CNN as the go to media vehicle of choice. Estimates put the coverage of CNN, as well as the feed being played on other TV stations, at close to a billion viewers worldwide.

So was Ted just luck or was he a visionary who saw the future and made sure he was prepared to take on the unknown World that we know as the 21st century media reality. I think the fact that Ted Turner is reviled and loved in equal measure is almost a sure sign of genius in action. While Rupert Murdoch is just a media genius, Ted Turner’s vision goes beyond just controlling the world but making it a better place. Turner’s staggering US$1 Billion donation to the United Nation to create the United Nations Foundation that is making a different across social issues speaks volumes of the man. More than 1 billion volumes, and counting, to be exact.

Time to take the Rupert out of Fox

Posted: August 14, 2012 in Business, Media, Newspapers
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For all the protestations one cannot shake the feeling that everyone at Fox News Channel is as far right as you can get. Trying to watch five (5) hours of Fox News is truly an exercise in running a marathon on crushed glass. It is not that the quality of programming is bad, the presenters unqualified, or the production values are subpar. The issue is that FNC does not sit on the fence: you either hate it or love it.

To paraphrase a saying quite synonymous with Rupert Murdoch, ‘Give the Devil his due’, which in this case is that Fox News is considered the 2nd most trusted news network in the USA. What is most remarkable is that in 1985 the idea that a fourth Network in the USA was not possible or needed. Rupert Murdoch thought differently and developed a new network to compete directly with CBS, NBC, and ABC. For all its unabashed Right wing, conservative and Patriotic stance Fox News Channel is very highly rated.

While most observers cannot separate Rupert the media Mogul from FNC’s political bias, I believe that Rupert is beyond political leanings and right wing agenda. Rupert is first and foremost an ambitious and astute media-man. Note I did not say Newspaper man or Journalist. He is driven with being in control and giving the public what it wants. Rupert is impartial, morally ambiguous and pandering to the lowest common denominator: case in point the Page 3 topless girls in The Sun. But he also owns The Times in London and the Wall Street Journal bastions of old world respectable upper-class society.

Rupert is a consummate dealmaker and negotiator. When he wanted to grease the wheels in China so as to enable his Star TV network to get government backing he did what was necessary. His HarperCollins book publishing division was ordered to kill a book by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten. Chris Patten’s book East and West was going to be hostile to the Chinese regime and this did not sit well with Rupert’s ambitious plans for China. There is no love or political agenda here he believes that a potential market of 1 billion people is worth more than journalistic integrity. Most serious journalists would find it abominable, yes, Rupert can be criticised for being morally bankrupt but if there was more money to be made pandering to the far left then Fox News Channel would swing the other way.

Rupert wants to be in control but not necessary profitable. While the financial implications and profits will most likely drive the direction of Rupert Murdoch’s empire, it is control and the ability to reach the most people that will win out. Closer to home the Herald Sun panders to a very mainstream and entertainment hungry audience. This has led to the Herald Sun beating The Age into submission and the Herald Sun has the highest circulation and profits. On the other hand The Australian continues to lose money hand over fist, yet Rupert continues to hold on to the National newspaper.

The reason, in one word, control. The ability to influence political opinion in Canberra is what Rupert wants from The Australian. What political viewpoint will Rupert support: one that will enable him to have more control and political sway.

While FNC tries to convince us that FNC is Fair & Balanced there is no doubt the balance is tilted towards the Republican Right. But what of Rupert Murdoch, Is he the Fox in FNC? When we look across the pond (the Atlantic) to UK politics Rupert’s media holdings were said to support the conservative Margaret Thatcher and John major. But during Tony Blair’s campaign all of Rupert’s media outlets were neutral or supportive. I think this going with the flow is what Rupert stands for, backing winners or the most likely to win.

Rupert Murdoch can be accused of many things but being partisan and dictating the bent of the FNC cannot be one of them. He backs winners and is only partisan to his own agenda and interests. Unlike FNC I would watch Rupert Murdoch for five hours and be the better for it.