NBC-Universal Goes Beyond Live Earth Freebies With New 'Green Is Universal' Campaign

July 17th, 2007 6:02 AM

Apparently, airing 75 hours of free coverage of Al Gore's Live Earth global-panic concerts (complete with children shedding tears over the impending end of blue skies and green grass) was just the beginning of on-air liberal activism by NBC-Universal. They're touting another week of on-air activism this November (during the week of Election Day) for their "pro-social cause" of environmental alarmism. As Glenn Garvin of the Miami Herald notes on his blog Changing Channels, "The company press release pointedly includes NBC News and CNBC on the list of company divisions that are participating, not that there's any systematic ideological bias in network news, no sir." The trade magazine Multichannel News adds more detail:

CNBC's programming throughout the week will focus on ways in which "going green" can make both a global impact and be financially beneficial. The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch will explore the most cutting-edge and innovative "green" initiatives that businesses are implementing, as well as assessing the impact that going green makes on a business' bottom line.

On NBC, the Peacock's entire Thursday-night lineup -- The Office, My Name Is Earl, 30 Rock, Heroes and Deal or No Deal -- will be eco-themed, while NBC News will take in-depth looks at the issues and some unique special broadcast events.

Kicking off the week with its Sunday Night Football matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, the gridiron contest will include Green Is Universal announcements and incorporate the theme through the telecast, as will the college-football game between Air Force and Notre Dame Nov. 10.

"For the first time ever, the massive resources of the entire NBC Universal family will stand together behind a single pro-social cause," [Bravo president Lauren] Zalaznick said in a prepared statement. "This far-reaching initiative represents the first step in our commitment to help raise environmental awareness and effect change both internally and externally."