Have you ever sat at home and thought to yourself, “Man, I can’t stand all this liberal garbage on FOX News. I wish someone would start a real conservative network”? If so, you’re apparently not alone. Enter, RightNetwork. RightNetwork is a newly-launched online network that plans on launching a television version later this summer. It seems to be positioning itself as an even more conservative competitor to FOX News. As one major investor put it:
We’re creating a welcoming place for millions and millions of Americans who’ve been looking for an entertainment network and media channel that reflects their point-of-view. RightNetwork will be the perfect platform to entertain, inform and connect with the American majority about what’s right in the world.
Now, here comes the painful part for me. As both a lifelong liberal anda devout Flyers fan (Go orange and black!), it pains me to inform you that the previously quoted “major investor” is none other than Comcast-Spectacor Chairman and Flyers founder Ed Snider. I was never very aware of his political leanings until he had Sarah Palin as his guest at a Flyers game during the campaign. But, since he’s a wealthy businessman, it really shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.
But, getting back to RightNetwork, among the network’s programming are such gems as:
- A reality series called “Running,” which “puts you right in the middle of the action as six rookie candidates make a run for their political lives.”
- “Right to Laugh”, which is “a comedy show that proves funny people and funny things come from both sides of the aisle.”, and
- “Politics & Poker” , “a new series that mixes entertainers, pundits, cards and politics.”
The above quotes were taken from online videos featuring another of RightNetwork’s investors, actor Kelsey Grammer. I’m sure Mr Grammer’s investment capital smoothed over any misgivings anyone might have had over the fact that he’s currently appearing on Broadway as a gay nightclub owner, in a revival of La Cage Aux Folles. Grammer was long ago outed publicly…as a conservative.
One other issue attached to this story is the fact that at one point, it was reported that Comcast (which owns Mr. Snider’s Comcast-Spectacor) was a partner in the venture. Comcast officials have denied that report, which is especially important as they are currently in the process of obtaining government approval for their purchase of NBC Universal.
From all appearances, RightNetwork looks to be to the Tea Party what FOX is to the Republican Party. For example, the candidates featured in the “Running” program seem to be Tea Party-affiliated, and Crooks and Liars reports that “When they launch, they’ll have lots of content, since they’ve been embedded with the Tea Party Express for its tour across the country.”
This reminds me of a line I remember hearing back in the 80’s, when someone said they hoped that someday someone would make a black version of the Cosby Show. Well, now someone is making a conservative version of FOX News. It sounds like what FOX would be if they dropped the last little pretense of being Fair and Balanced. I wonder if they’ve contacted Sarah yet?