An intriguing article by Austin Bay makes the case for what the author calls an “Astonishing News Network,” sort of a history and context driven counterbalance to CNN. While I agree with the general need for a network like this that would provide sane, analytical competition to the existing “news” networks I’m less optimistic about its chances for success.
For one thing, an approximate version of the same information and analysis can already be found from a variety of other sources for the relative few who are motived enough to do so. For another, the popular zeitgeist at the moment seems to be leaning toward sensationalist and soundbite news sources and away from more serious news, and although I have nothing at all against conservative news sources on Fox News or talk radio, it can be argued that their popularity can be attributed to their willingness to cater to this trend. I simply doubt there’s a market for ANN right now.
