Newsmax as default channel on DTV
Jan 12, 2015, 6:53 pm
#46
Join Date: Aug 2006
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I wonder if UA *did* get some compensation from NewsMax for airing their {material}, disguised as news, as the default choice?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 12, 2015 at 9:41 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed. http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#offensive
Jan 12, 2015, 9:10 pm
#47
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 844
I can deal with the crappy propaganda channel being on. All I have to do is not plug in my headphones and adjust the brightness down until it shuts off. What really bugs me is the blasting loud advertising on the PA telling people to swipe their cards. It's louder than the safety announcement (at least, it seems like it), and is just annoying as all hell. Can't tune that out, either.
Jan 12, 2015, 9:40 pm
#48
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Jan 13, 2015, 4:02 pm
#49
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I've yet to see NewsMax set as the default channel on a UA aircraft, but I've also noticed that the default channel isn't always consistent - sometimes it's CNN, sometimes ESPN, sometimes WNBC/4. Do the FAs have the ability to set the default channel from the control panel near the 1L door?
Jan 13, 2015, 4:50 pm
#50
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Perhaps UA could do like the military Armed Forces Network (AFN) does: alternate Fox with MSNBC so the far Right and far Left are both happy?
Jan 13, 2015, 5:02 pm
#51
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I've yet to see NewsMax set as the default channel on a UA aircraft, but I've also noticed that the default channel isn't always consistent - sometimes it's CNN, sometimes ESPN, sometimes WNBC/4. Do the FAs have the ability to set the default channel from the control panel near the 1L door?
It's been Newsmax every time I've flown since the change.
Jan 21, 2015, 2:57 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
More detail on the arrangement...
It was set to run September through January. UA received no compensation for it - was a Live TV / Newsmax / DirecTV deal.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...html?track=rss
In February it will change to a different channel (sounds like CNBC) as previously planned.
What's interesting is UA had a chance to veto it before launch. Maybe the person in charge was simply uninformed. Who knows - sounds like it was a mid level management call.
It was set to run September through January. UA received no compensation for it - was a Live TV / Newsmax / DirecTV deal.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...html?track=rss
In February it will change to a different channel (sounds like CNBC) as previously planned.
What's interesting is UA had a chance to veto it before launch. Maybe the person in charge was simply uninformed. Who knows - sounds like it was a mid level management call.
Jan 24, 2015, 1:28 pm
#55
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: HiltonSilver, MariottGold, HyattPlat, KimptonTier3, UA 1K, HertzGold,AvisPres
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I don't understand why this is such a big deal... There's this little channel changer deal to the side that changes the channel. People will ..... about anything...
Jan 24, 2015, 9:48 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 529
Newsmax as default channel on DTV
On one of my recent flights Newsmax was showing a documentary of the Holocaust. Most people didn't know how to or bother to turn the screen off, so I got to see images of concentration camps and dead bodies. A great way to spend a few hours :
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Jan 25, 2015, 9:45 am
#57
Join Date: Jul 2009
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If we want to talk content... CNN with their wall-to-wall disaster coverage like MH370 and AirAsia can be pretty upsetting on a flight for some people... My flight yesterday was taking off when the bomb threats broke and a lot of the screens were showing it. I'm sure there were some upset people.
Chris Matthews on MSNBC makes my skin crawl... But I know how to change the channel...
I know people who HATE Tennis and would probably flame @United for it, so better make sure it's not the Tennis Channel... Oh, and god forbid MLS or Fox Soccer... There are a lot of rabid anti-soccer fans in the US... Come on.
Jan 25, 2015, 10:52 am
#58
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Defaulting to any channel that is political is asking for trouble--whether that is Fox News or MSNBC or anything in between. Why risk pissing off customers with something avoidable?
People frequently don't realize how to turn the screen off (dim until dark isn't totally intuitive for all versus an outright OFF button). Something relatively unoffensive to a large number of people seems like a reasonable default channel to have on. Something like GSN, Food Network, ESPN, or the like. Non-political and not implying or appearing that the company has a certain political position it's pushing.
People frequently don't realize how to turn the screen off (dim until dark isn't totally intuitive for all versus an outright OFF button). Something relatively unoffensive to a large number of people seems like a reasonable default channel to have on. Something like GSN, Food Network, ESPN, or the like. Non-political and not implying or appearing that the company has a certain political position it's pushing.
Jan 25, 2015, 12:28 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, GE/Nexus, Marriott Gold
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Defaulting to any channel that is political is asking for trouble--whether that is Fox News or MSNBC or anything in between. Why risk pissing off customers with something avoidable?
People frequently don't realize how to turn the screen off (dim until dark isn't totally intuitive for all versus an outright OFF button). Something relatively unoffensive to a large number of people seems like a reasonable default channel to have on. Something like GSN, Food Network, ESPN, or the like. Non-political and not implying or appearing that the company has a certain political position it's pushing.
People frequently don't realize how to turn the screen off (dim until dark isn't totally intuitive for all versus an outright OFF button). Something relatively unoffensive to a large number of people seems like a reasonable default channel to have on. Something like GSN, Food Network, ESPN, or the like. Non-political and not implying or appearing that the company has a certain political position it's pushing.
Jan 25, 2015, 8:41 pm
#60
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"No direct revenue" is emphatically not the same as saying they received "no compensation." That suggests to me that they were somehow compensated for this, otherwise they would have said "no compensation."
Greg