What does local news have to do with offensive network programming?
The most expensive and the most profitable part of a local television station’s operation is the local news. It is during the news that the station can charge the largest amount of money for its advertising time because the station can deliver the largest local audience with interest in local issues. Local television stations use much of the advertising time a provided by the networks to promote and “tease” the local news. This is why you will see commercials for the local news run on almost every network program. Therefore, the local advertisers who advertise on the local news are really the primary source of revenue that fuels the local network programming. Pressure those advertisers to stop supporting the station because of the offensive network programming and the station will choose to refuse to air network programs that are not consistent with community standards. It’s all about free market capitalism.
