“America” is more popular than “environmentalism.”
The Chicago Tribune reports:
Planet Green launched in 2008 with an environmental bent — a change from its previous format under the moniker Discovery Home…
Destination America senior veep of content strategy Marc Etkind said: “Our research, coupled with my own experience developing shows about America over the last 20 years, has shown that viewers have a huge appetite for content focused on our unique culture and spirit. By collecting the very best of travel, adventure, food, home and natural history into one brand, we’re excited to create a new lifestyle destination for programming that Americans love”…
“Americans may be divided by politics, but we are united by our love of country,” Destination America prexy and g.m. Henry Schleiff said. “As a network inclusive to all, Destination America will celebrate this connective spirit by curating the common ground among us: the pluck of the worn saddle, the promise of exploring new territory and the diversity that has made this nation great”…
I wonder if that eco-nut in the lobby with bombs and guns that wanted more eco-dire programming had any influence in their decision or is that a coincidence?
I used to watch Discovery Channel but I didn’t know where it went. Whenever I saw Planet Green I’d skip over it not wanting to watch a bunch of environmentalists trying to indoctrinate the population.
For months, I’d skip over Planet Green when cruising through the channels as I simply assumed that it would be nothing but leftist, greenie, propaganda. Then I saw a documentary that had caught my interest — and I realized that the “planet green” name was simply a marketing ploy and that the content was no worse that most of what passes for documentaries these days. i.e. it was no worse that the stuff that appears on National Geographic channel (which is no bastion of fair and balanced reporting).
It’s probably just as well for the Discovery Channel company (that now operates a bunch of cable channels) to rename Planet Green to something else. Thankfully, it’s a sign that the MARKETING ploy of many companies to associate themselves as somehow “green” seems to be fading away.
Tad, it’s a network. Content strategy is how they plan to make advertising money. Don’t inject drama where there isn’t any.
I watched stuff on the Discovery Channel, but didn’t watch as much on Planet Green.
“senior veep of content strategy”? Sounds like a lead propaganda position, possibly in line for the head of the Ministry…
“collecting the very best of travel, adventure, food, home and natural history into one brand, we’re excited to create a new lifestyle destination for programming that Americans love”… hardly sounds like a pro-environment anti-Capitalist advocacy group, but it does sound like someone promoting ecotourism for the 1 per-centers.