I watch the local news, usually at 11:00 PM before going to bed. This is the news presented on the local Network Affiliates in my area — KABC Channel 7, KNBC Channel 4, and KCBS Channel 2.

So much for background.

I’ve seen this thousands of times, or so it seems. I saw it the other night (Friday). During the commercial break, the announcer comes on, with images and video, proclaiming something like this:

“Something you have in your home that you use every day is slowly killing you, and you don’t know it! Don’t miss our exclusive special investigative report on Tuesday at 5 and 6 AM!”

I’m sorry. What was that? I’m watching the news, and you’re PROMOTING an upcoming broadcast, next week, at 5 in the freaking morning, about something I should know about RIGHT NOW??!! If something I’m using right now is killing me, don’t you think that’s NEWS?

Apparently not.

I don’t know what happened to news. I remember the day when a certain newscaster in my area signed off with the phrase, “That’s the up to the minute news, up to the minute that’s all the news.” News that affected people was important, and it was presented as it happened. If something could harm you, they told you.

Nowadays, it seems to be all about the ratings. They’ve gone to teasers and “coming up next.” They spend enough time telling you what’s coming up after the commercial to have presented two more stories. That’s especially infuriating when they tell you to watch next Tuesday.

I dunno. What do you think?

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