At the risk of going off on a tangent, I thought I'd make another post about history on film and television. In the mid-1990s, a new cable channel came into existence that was supposed to be dedicated towards providing educational programming about history. Called "The History Channel", it eventually became known as the "Hitler Channel" for the large amount of programming that the station devoted towards World War II-related material. While they certainly did seem to prefer World War II, the station also at least was presenting historical material. Unfortunately, that trend has reversed itself today. Several years ago, the station's parent organization, A&E, gained a new head, Nancy Dubac. She said that the station would be making efforts to have higher-rated programming than previously. The first show that showed this new direction was called "Ice Road Truckers", which was a reality show. The success of this show encouraged the station to continue making similar programs. Since then, there have been shows such as Ancient Aliens, Axe Men, UFO Hunters, Pawn Stars, Nostradamus Effect, and others. This has led to the channel becoming derided by many professional historians and writers, who say that the channel has become caught up in the quest for higher ratings. The following is content from an article on Cracked.com:
The full article can be found at: http://www.cracked.com/funny-5720-the-history-channel/ .
Another article that has a similar discussion is available from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/business/media/now-in-top-tier-history-channel-struggles-to-stay-there.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
It is very disappointing to me that the History Channel has turned to such a methodology. Back when it was a more genuine educational source, I spent hours absorbed in its content. I would say that it is a contributing reason to why I am interested so much in military history. Unfortunately, it has now become a source of the "Historicidal" attitude that Glassberg referred to in his article, and has fallen to the wayside of good public history.
I suppose this has turned into a rant, so I will rest my case and leave the floor open for comments.
That chart is hilarious, mostly because it's true. I, too, used to watch all the interesting shows on the History Channel, like The Presidents series and the French Revolution. I think now the History Channel just wants ratings, and it's getting them with Pawn Stars. And the recent foray into melodrama with Hatfields and McCoys.
ReplyDeleteSo this makes me wonder. Should museums approach the same tactics? Making exhibits as entertaining as possible to gain visitors? I think there should be a good balance, and the "old" History Channel had that. Now, it's just bread and circuses, with a little Chumlee and Men Who Built America thrown in for good measure.
That chart is great! Definitely agree, I miss whent he history channel actually used to have history on it, especially those documentary series. I wish they could strike a balance again, as Sarah said, and not by running the actual history during the day for people sick in bed at home.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with most of the points brought up.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time my family got cable, the history channel was the very first thing to pop up.
However, I also like to play devil's advocate.
Do you think if the History channel had continued with its original programming, that it would even still exist? I would be curious to see what its ratings were throughout the time it has been on. I did not realize it was only created in 1995, that really isn't that old compared to some other channels.
Perhaps they had to branch out in order to not get pulled.
I think our views are a little biased to be honest, seeing as we are in a graduate level history program.
There is also History 2, Biography Channel, Military History... I think the programming for these channels would probably be much more suited to an audience like us. Although these channels probably aren't with most standard packages. Is it wrong to use one channel as a 'cash cow' to fund other channels that may appeal to a more niche market?
I like what Sarah said about balance, but how do you go about creating it?