Glenn Beck Rallies Troops For Revolution Against TV

According to the Wall Street Journal, Glen Beck, an American conservative radio host, blogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host, has gone from railing against his usual enemies like hardcore socialist lefts to his new target: mainstream television. After he parted with Fox News las year, he took his message of outrage and self-reliance online. He launched an Internet video network called GBTV, where he is on air for two hours a day, alongside six more hours of shows, from “Liberty Treehouse,” a history and news program for children, to the reality program “Independence USA,” where a family explores life off the grid. He is pushing for his network to become a 24/7 network with the writers of “The Simpsons” on board. Mr. Beck’s subscription-based network is driven on the belief that television is going through an existential crisis, with the rise of online video outlets like Netflix Inc. and Google Inc.’s YouTube threatening to lure away viewers. For established personalities, like Mr. Beck the barriers to entry are low on the Internet. This has led to many celebrities experimenting online.

Mr. Beck is intent on keeping his Fox fans while also capturing the younger Internet-surfing generation. “When the audience of 65 and over dies off,” he said, “then TV is in trouble if they haven’t found a new way to connect with the next vibrant and mobile generation.” Mr. Beck said, “We are on the edge of something that is bigger than industrial revolution,” Mr. Beck said of the industry changes. “How do you survive? What will people want?”

I believe Beck realizes the Mainstream TV industry is at the adapt or die point. The CVP for TV providers has to be adjusted to include convenience for them to succeed in the near future. When I say convenience, I mean the ability to watch TV from wherever internet access is available. In addition to convenience its is cheaper than paying for traditional television services, which is extra beneficial to many Americans who are suffering to make ends meet during this economic downturn.

As for the future, if the world doesn’t end, Mr. Beck concedes that he isn’t sure where the network will go. “I have self-doubt every single day,” he said, adding at another point, “come back to me in a year.” What do you guys think? Do you think traditional TV providers are at risk for falling down a slippery slope, or is Beck just overreacting?