It's been eight months since Al Gore announced the acquisition of a cable network that reached 20 million households. At the time, observers jumped to the conclusion that Gore was planning on creating a politically leftward alternative to Fox News. But Gore and his business partner Joel Hyatt said they planned to establish their venture as "not necessarily" a political and certainly not a partisan channel. The venture, calling itself
INdTV (pronounced Indy TV), is set to launch next month and inquiring minds are still wondering what Gore might have up his cable TV sleeves. Inquiring minds got a
glimpse of what's in the works this week...
INdTV sent out an e-mail to designated "digital correspondents" calling for edgy video contributions to be woven into a sample line-up of programs. The e-mail said INdTV hoped to "democratize television" by relying upon "real-life video" contributed by Gen Y correspondents.
That's F*&#ed Up -- Purporting to focus on any "unfathomable" and truly messed-up issue that a contributor feels worthy of a rant. "It just better be good TV," is the sole requirement.
INdTV Paparazzi -- Track down a celebrity and ask them to expound upon something important, or ask a serious person about something insubstantial.
Citizen Reporter -- Take a news story and break most of the rules by telling it the way it ought to be told.
All-Nighter -- What's happening, no matter how obscure, in your town after hours. Just make sure it's interesting.
State of the Union -- Deliver your own quirky "irreverent" SOTU the way it ought to be given.
Ladies and gentlemen this is your chance to get yourselves and your views on TV, get your digi camera, some editing software and do your news story. They want content, can the blogs provide some?
Right now the right wingers are very good at feeding the media their bullshit, can this channel be an opportunity for left wingers to do some feeding?