Commentary

Trump Cancels Newspaper Subscriptions, Some TV Networks May Be Next

President Trump has cancelled subscriptions to The New York Times and The Washington Post. Are broadcast and cable TV networks in his sights as well?

Let's assume he doesn’t watch much Hallmark Channel, MTV2, Nat Geo, HBO, Epix, and Food Network. Perhaps those will get the heave-ho. Maybe some channels will include a few cable TV news networks.

Trump has had issues with TV news networks, especially CNN. His lawyers have threatened legal action. He has also tweeted that Fox News Channel is “not working for us anymore!”

Are TV viewership numbers declining in all the domiciles own by Trump? That could be a real indicator.

We understand changing media behaviors in a rapidly changing financial model for consumer entertainment/media brands.

Right now, pay TV subscriptions can be priced anywhere from $100 to $140 a month, lower for virtual pay TV providers.

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President Trump is a businessman who, like many of us, wants to be efficient with our discretionary entertainment spending. I hear he possibly is a secret cord-cutter, maybe cord-shaver. But surely he wants to keep the Golf Channel and the Men’s Hair/Grooming Network on his service.

Yes, I understand. He, like the rest of us, has his four to six core viewing channels that are consumed regularly. I’m sure “The Apprentice” and “Celebrity Apprentice” reruns are still on his DVR unit.

Recently, he attended a World Series game in Washington, DC. After he was introduced during the game, Trump was greeted with boos and calls from the crowd to “lock him up!” No doubt those calls were from some pay TV industry supporters who want to lock him up for a two-year cable TV subscription. 

But with discounted virtual pay TV services starting up all over the place, who really wants to do that?

I hear the limo ride home had him mulling the cancellation of his regional sports networks carrying the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals.

1 comment about "Trump Cancels Newspaper Subscriptions, Some TV Networks May Be Next".
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  1. Ed Papazian from Media Dynamics Inc, October 29, 2019 at 9:57 a.m.

    Wayne, are you sure that Trump doesn't watch The Food Channel---and sample much of it's delights? I suppose only his tailor knows for sure.

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