VIRGINIA BEACH
Pique might be one reason Christian conservative Pat Robertson isn’t backing Sen. John McCain’s bid for the presidency: McCain labeled him an “agent of intolerance” during a 2000 speech in Virginia Beach.
But as a Christian broadcaster, Robertson may also balk at McCain’s championship of pay-per-channel cable television, a format that could slash the market for faith-based programming. Robertson, who could not be reached for comment, heads the Christian Broadcasting Network, based in Virginia Beach.
“The 700 Club,” CBN’s premier daily show, is Robertson’s bully pulpit for his sometimes controversial social and political commentaries.
McCain’s pulpit has been Congress, where he has advocated letting consumers subscribe to cable channels piecemeal. Viewers now must subscribe to packages that often include channels they don’t want.
The National Cable & Telecommunications Association argues that with bundling, cable networks generate bigger audiences that attract advertising dollars. The industry says a la carte programming would drive down audiences and ad revenue, forcing higher subscription fees.
But a la carte advocates, including McCain, say consumers would save money with per-channel pricing.
In 2006, McCain proposed the Consumers Having Options in Cable Entertainment (CHOICE) Act, which would have encouraged broadcasters and cable companies to sell channels individually to consumers.
Within weeks, a religious broadcasters’ coalition protested a la carte legislation in a letter to the Senate’s Commerce Committee, where McCain’s bill was pending.
“A la carte/pay-per-channel uniquely harms inspirational and religious programmers,” stated the letter, which included Robertson by name as a signatory.
McCain’s 2006 legislation died in committee. On his Senate Web site, his last comment on a la carte pricing is from September 2007, when the FCC declared it would study channel bundling.
“I have long advocated for channels to be made available on an a la carte basis in addition to packaged services, and will continue to do so,” said McCain, whose run for the presidency was already under way. McCain’s campaign organization did not return telephone and e-mail inquiries about his stance on a la carte as a presidential candidate.
John Roos of the INSP Christian network, said religious broadcasters know that most consumers aren’t seeking faith-based programming when they subscribe to cable packages.
Yet some viewers inadvertently discover religious channels while scrolling through their package and become fans.
That incidental audience would be lost if a la carte let consumers subscribe only to favorite channels, Roos said.
“If people have the choice between fun and going to church, they’ll pick fun,” he said.
At CBN, president Michael Little agreed that a la carte would devastate religious broadcasters – but not necessarily CBN.
CBN reaches more than one-half of its market not through religious broadcasters, but by purchasing airtime on more than 100 local network affiliates such as WAVY-TV 10, the NBC station in South Hampton Roads.
CBN programming also is distributed via a perpetual slot on the ABC Family Channel. Little said that even under a la carte, ABC Family would likely remain a popular cable choice.
Only the small portion of CBN programs now distributed by religious broadcasters would be threatened by a la carte, Little said.
Little opposes a la carte cable, but he said the debate could become irrelevant as Internet-distributed programming becomes the norm. CBN already has Web-based programming in English and Spanish 24 hours a day.
Little said he hadn’t read McCain’s 2006 legislation. He also wouldn’t comment on McCain’s stance, saying CBN was a nonprofit that avoided political commentary. He said he hadn’t talked with Robertson about a la carte.
If elected president, McCain would be in a powerful position to lobby for congressional action. He also would appoint the members of the Federal Communications Commission, which oversees the broadcasting industry.
“If McCain were to win, once he dealt with a host of other issues, he might get around to thinking about a la carte,” said Patrick Parsons, a media scholar at Penn State. “He’s certainly made his position known.”
Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com
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I respect John McCain for his independent thinking CONTINUED
Pat Robertson does not know the mind of God. God would not speak to a man who is full of hate, greed and pride, gossip and who indulges in self-aggrandizing.
I pray that John McCain will stay true to himself. No candidate should have concern for Pat Robertson who is a mere con man.
Looking good
I forgot McCain pushed the per channel issue. Add this to his ability to run as a republican and NOT kiss Robertson's butt is making him look better everyday. Of course, I will wait to see who emerges as the democratic nominee, but this option is looking better.
Cable TV , Republican Rifts. Strange Head Wear, & Spouses
With pictures floating around cyberspace showing Obama wearing some type of turban, & Clinton screeching at him like they have been married for 30 years, looks like McCain may get the nod here. I mean if the dirt getting dug up at his point includes cable TV piecemeal channel sales issues, that would seem to be an issue that is not that dangerous politically, no matter what stance is taken. Scanning the picture in my mind's eye of the 3 candidates in office. 1 has a bunch of Muslims picnicking on the White house lawn. 1 is shrilly expressing disappointment over her spouse's latest amorous conquest. And the last is watching TV with a pair of "rabbit ears" for reception. "what a country!" Borat
I respect John McCain for his independent thinking
I respect John McCain for speaking the truth about this immoral and divisive, meddling con artist who smears anyone who does not agree with him. I hope McCain will remain true to himself and not give in to pressure from his party. It should not matter that Robertson is a prominent Republican. It is the right thing to do to speak "truth" even when it may cost him some party support. Anyway, I feel that any evangelical votes that McCain might lose due to his adversarial relationship with Pat Robertson will be outnumbered by the votes that he will gain for his honesty and integrity and independent thinking.
I am always shocked by Pat Robertson's arrogance and how far away he is from God's ideals. He embarrasses me, as a Christian and it angers me that he is still sought out for commentary on the news when the truth is that he is not a fit representative of today’s evangelicals or Christians, if he EVER really was.
The Bible reveals God to us as a lover of justice and righteousness as well as a God of forgiveness and mercy. Whether or not a particular event is God’s judgment is "past finding out." No one "hath known the mind of the Lord." Pat Robertson does not k
amazing
Pat Robertson leg pressing eighty zillion pounds. --- amazing
PAT ROBERTSON HAS HELPED NO ONE OTHER THAN HIMSELF
prophelicious wrote: "Pat Robertson has treasure stored up in Heaven for all the poor and desperate people The 700 Club has helped."
How about all the "poor and desperate people" that were harmed by Mr. Robertson's trading in blood diamonds?
Pat Robertson has amassed a fortune from the pockets of gullible people who believe his particular brand of snake oil.
Hey wspeid---
I think the V-chip is in your own TV, not with the cable company. Get out your TV owners manual. You should be able to block any channel through certain settings.
Pat
Pat Roberston letting his operation blessing planes be used to transport blood diamond crews and equipment on the charity nickel = amazing
Blinders cont.
It's funny that healthy people can say no when they are asked for money, and leave it at that. It's usually people who worship money in their own lives that can't stand hearing others ask for money for good causes. Maybe mandatory trips to Third World countries would show many Americans what it means to live as the top 10% of the world in money, food, shelter and other provisions. Our needs in America are usually wants, and our garbage in America could often help with worldwide problems. It's just so easy to pick apart the flaws of people, but at least this one has some positives that no man can touch. Pat Robertson has treasure stored up in Heaven for all the poor and desperate people The 700 Club has helped. No, I don't support the 700 Club financially, God has my money helping elsewhere. Yes, I could go on for days about the lives they have touched for good. Until you get your hands dirty helping people, and live in the glass house of public ridicule (where you can't hide you flaws) then reserve your judgement. God will judge you by the same measure you judge others, and I'm thinking some of you may want ask for forgiveness.
We all have blinders somewhere.
-Pat Robertson's mistakes= many
Every human I know mistakes= many
-Pat Robertson endorsing Guliani= confusing
People endorsing popular but questionable people= confusing
-Pat Robertson's Operation Blessing providing free food to the poor worldwide= amazing
People here commenting providing free food to the poor worldwide= ???
-Pat Roberstson getting the good news of Jesus Chirst to the world, with 4 million+ salvations last year alone= powerful
How many people commenters here gave any good news to last year= ???
-Pat Roberston putting a gun to his finacial supporters= never
-Pat Robertson claiming to be anything other than a man in love with Jesus= never
My Thought
I think Pat Robertson is an idiot.
"CBN was a nonprofit that avoided political commentary" ???
Was that said with a straight face?
???
I thought Robertson IS pay per view. Everytime I stop on his channel (for a laugh) he asks for money!
Robertson has credibility anymore?
By supporting Giuliani, Mr. Robertson made it clear where his priorities lie.
His endorsement reflected neither Christianity or conservatism. He admired Giuliani's authoritarianism enough to betray the beliefs of those he claims to represent.
At this point is an endorsement by Pat Robertson anything other than a liability? If he does, maybe we'll have a bizarre Hillary-esque moment at some future debate where McCain has to clarity whether he rejects or merely renounces Pat Robertson.
WHERE'S THE PROBLEM?
Quoted from the news article: "John Roos of the INSP Christian network, said religious broadcasters know that most consumers aren’t seeking faith-based programming when they subscribe to cable packages."
Is Mr. Roos saying that since those people should not have a choice? That they should be required to pay for channels they don't wish to view?
If people want to watch religious programming, they will buy it. If they don't want to watch, they will not buy it. This is called freedom-of-choice. Apparently, Messrs Robertson and Roos don't like freedom-of-choice when it threatens to take money out of their pockets.
Tbank God, Pat Robertson's influence is diminishing as he moves closer and closer to the dust bin of irrelevance.
Is his face
made of plastic? Does she look like one wicked chick or what?
Religious Profiteers
"If people have the choice between fun and going to church, they’ll pick fun,” he (John Roos of the INSP Christian network)said."
This is so typical of those who sell relig-otainment. Perhaps he should have said "Those hedonists that we cater to will pick fun over God every time". What they sell is called spectacle religion. Gotta keep the gawkers comin' back for more. Regular God isn't enough. We bring you sensational God.
Also:
"The 700 Club, CBN’s premier daily show, is Robertson’s bully pulpit for his sometimes(?) controversial social and political commentaries.
Is sometimes the new always?
Grrr
Who cares about Pat Robertson. The only impressive thing about Pat Robertson and CBN is how much money they've separated from gullible people through their tax deductible broadcasts. Robertson and friends and Son have made a fortune off of suckers, and you have to give him credit for that.
I wouldn't vote for McCain anyway
We want to stop illegals from coming over but McCain is not for all that. Robertson's life mission is the All Mighty Dollar. I've seen him in person at different venues and he's not too healthy looking. The older he gets the more his mind goes into left field, he would be the type of uncle you hated to go visit. Like him or not he has the right speak his mine as does media outlets, radio talk show host, t.v. show host who you disagree with. Hang in there Pat's hour glass is running out of sand.
Praise the Lord!
That McCain isn't liked by Pat, won't take earmarks, and wants selective cable are enough reasons for me to vote FOR him! Hallelujah. Finally a reasonable middle of the road conservative that isn't in bed with the religious right. AMEN!
Vote "who cares"
Need another button on your poll..."Who Cares". I for one could care less what that raving lunatic says, backs, or offers. And if I was running for any office, I would beg him NOT to back me. Why would anyone want to be associated with that nut-job?
To be honest
That would be McCains down fall. If I was going to vote for him I sure wouldnt then. Pat need to retire and shut his mouth.
Title doesn't match article
"Politics could make rift between Robertson, McCain personal"
The story states MacCain's political stance would harm Robertson's economic powerbase. There's nothing personal about that at all; unless your implication is that Robertson would make it personal by using his TV access to do retaliatory poison pen journalism against MacCain?
How about the title, "Politics could make rift between Robertson, McCain even more about money"
Robertson?
Pat Robertson has been a "has been" for many years now. No one cares what he says or does any more. He is an example of how to enrich oneself through religion. A good businessman was he in his day. Still sly, the old fox, he has only to stop yapping to be really dangerous.
To be fair, McCain is no prize for our nation either.
Alas, there are no good candidates this election coming.
I told Cox I wanted to block Robertson's offensive broadcasts...
I said, "you've got the V chip that blocks offensive programming, I'd like you to please block Robertson's shows because I find them disturbing and offensive." I was told they only had the technology to block MTV and if I wanted cable I had to get Pat.
Between Cox and the Pilot they just keep propping this nutcase up and let him keep buying a pulpit to prattle from.
Different agendas
Cash based religion has a different mission than faith based religion. Gotta keep hustling the bucks.