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Twist_U_Up Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:43 PM
Original message
New Company Pulls the Plug on Fox News
Hey this is a must I`m getting mine


http://www.elitestv.com/pub/2004/Dec/EEN41b7716d3dc04.html

The war between progressives and conservatives for control of Cable TV News is about to go to the next level. An upstart company has developed a filtering device that people can use to block the reception of the Fox News Channel in their homes. The company, Foxblocker, http://www.foxblocker.com advertises that along with its eponymous product, which retails for $8.95, it will send a notice of purchase and use to Fox News' top ten advertisers for each unit sold.

Foxblocker's website explains that they obtained the inspiration for the product while watching the Robert Greenwald production of Outfoxed, a documentary that purports to show the rampant right-wing bias of the network.

Will the product have an impact? The answer is impossible to tell at this time. Fox Entertainment Group reported both an operating income growth of 58% and a viewership growth of 29% for the Fox News Channel in the third quarter, both strong growth numbers by any standard.

Calls to Fox News for comment were not returned.

Steven Leser, stevenleser@walla.com
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lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:44 PM
Response to Original message
1. Right On the Money!
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New Earth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:44 PM
Response to Original message
2. lollllll
like spamblocker, but it's foxblocker...,hahahahah
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sunnystarr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:58 PM
Response to Reply #2
15. I would have preferred FoxBuster lol
and I want one :)
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mcscajun Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:46 PM
Response to Original message
3. Interesting device...but who needs to spend nine bucks on it?
Edited on Thu Dec-09-04 09:46 PM by mcscajun
When your remote can be programmed to skip whatever channel Fox is using on your particular cable system?

That's free...and requires no tools. :)
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liberalnurse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:49 PM
Response to Reply #3
5. Its worth sending them a message of
disgust. :bounce:
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mcscajun Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:00 PM
Response to Reply #5
18. I can do *that* for free too, it's called E-mail. :)
This guy is just looking to make a profit...nothing more.
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sunnystarr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:59 PM
Response to Reply #3
17. I'll spend $9 to let Fox advertisers know I won't watch it (nt)
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SharonAnn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:01 PM
Response to Reply #3
19. Guests turn it on and it's a real problem telling them to turn it off!
One of my friends says "We don't watch Fox TV in our house and no one else will either!" It makes some of her guests unhappy but she won't waver.

And I wish people wouldn't call it Fox "News". It's not news, it's opinion.

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Democrat Dragon Donating Member (699 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:48 PM
Response to Original message
4. I think this guy is just trying profit from us
Edited on Thu Dec-09-04 09:54 PM by Democrat Dragon
I mean, there's a much cheaper way to do this, in fact it's FREE! Simply don't watch Fox News. But this might be good, say if you go on vacation and your freeper relatives want to stay in your house. This can be instaled to irritate them.:evilgrin:
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RedCheckShirt Donating Member (52 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:50 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. What does this guy think we are? IDIOTS?????
Why would we spend money on this?
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Liberty Belle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:53 PM
Response to Reply #6
9. To get to Fox's advertisers. Kick! Kick! Kick!
Edited on Thu Dec-09-04 09:56 PM by Liberty Belle
I think this is a good thing, even though we could block it for free. The important point is to let everyone advertising on Fox know that we won't be watching their ads or buying their products.
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RedCheckShirt Donating Member (52 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:57 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. Oh.
Good point.
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Liberty Belle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:07 PM
Response to Reply #11
24. worth ten bucks. If 50,000 DUers all did this, I'll bet...
Some advertisers would be on Fox's case.
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jsamuel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:51 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. Who would you rather make the profit? Him or Fox?
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blueokie Donating Member (38 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:53 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. I agree
At my work the breakroom tv is set to fox news ALL DAY. We have no choice. At my gym all 5 tvs are set to fox by the treadmills and ellipticals. They say they are #1 its because its force fed to all of us!!!
I would love to have this to get the message out.
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blueokie Donating Member (38 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:57 PM
Response to Reply #8
10. oh the letters on the site are funny!!!
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Twist_U_Up Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:58 PM
Response to Reply #10
14. great gag gift to a repig lol
just leave it on their desk in a nice gift wrap
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angrydemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:48 PM
Response to Reply #10
30. LOL
I couldn't help but LMAO at the letters on this site. This is truly pissing off the right wingers! I love it. I will order it just to protest FAUX! I have it blocked on my television already, but I will do this to protest and piss off the right wingers! I hope eveyone does!
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Ian David Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:57 PM
Response to Reply #8
12. And to go with FoxBlocker... The DVD Rewinder!



Some might say that the makers of the DVD Rewinder are scam artists, even despite their claims that the DVD Rewinder is for entertainment purposes only, but really, if people are buying them, can you blame them? I bought two to go with my centrifugal LP re-flattener and my cotton-tipped radial laserdisc demux pre-cleaner.
http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/dvd-rewinder-016644.php

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Twist_U_Up Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:59 PM
Response to Reply #12
16. bwahahahaha n/t
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ccarter84 Donating Member (412 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:07 PM
Response to Reply #12
23. Hahahahahahaha phew....
thats classic...but no, I think i'll have to pass
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BlueDog2u Donating Member (692 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:03 PM
Response to Reply #8
21. Yes, nice idea/eom
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Democrat Dragon Donating Member (699 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:54 PM
Response to Reply #8
31. AARGGH!!
FuckedNews has taken over your town! Did it vote for *?
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KerryReallyWon Donating Member (297 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:55 PM
Response to Reply #4
32. i agree, he is trying to profit...
I believe this guy moved out of Fla to Brooklyn. Strange dude!
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juajen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:25 PM
Response to Reply #4
40. What an entrepeneur!
I don't mind giving him 10 bucks to slap Fox in the face. It's worth it for advertisers to start getting this certification of cancellation. What are ya'll griping about? Sour grapes?
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Lisabtrucking Donating Member (807 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 09:58 PM
Response to Original message
13. you can delete the fox channel for free, just delete it from your TV progr
I did.
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pleiku52cab Donating Member (674 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:05 PM
Response to Reply #13
22. I'm not that technically adept - I JUST NEVER TURN IT ON n/t
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IAMREALITY Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:07 PM
Response to Reply #13
35. I was thinking the same thing LOL
But hey, give the guy credit for figuring out a way to make a buck! lol
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rockedthevoteinMA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:03 PM
Response to Original message
20. I worked at a hotel cleaning rooms this past summer
and I programmed all of the TV's to block FauxNews. We had a few people complain - and I just told them we don't get it up here in MA! :)
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Liberty Belle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:09 PM
Response to Reply #20
25. Good for you! Brilliant undercover strategy.
I rented a car recently and programmed all the radio buttons for Air America. Wish they'd make a Foxblocker for radios, too.
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Patsy Stone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:10 PM
Response to Original message
26. Tantalizing...and so reasonably priced, too.
But, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

Or, in the inimitable words of Carl Spackler, "I've got to think like a gopher, act like a gopher, and whenever possible, to look like one."
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Bill of Rights Donating Member (424 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:29 PM
Response to Original message
27. It is cheap
And it could make Fox's top ten advertisers balk at the going rates, if they see how many people are blocking their commercial. I wonder if it would be more effective if purchasers submitted their demographics.

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Bill of Rights Donating Member (424 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:45 PM
Response to Reply #27
28. I just purchased one
I just completed the purchase. There were a couple of interesting moments.

1. One question, on the purchase form, was worded something like this (you had to answer yes or no): "Please notify me WHEN you get sued or something else interesting happens."

2. At the end of my purchasing adventure I was given the opportunity to write a form letter to Fox New's Top 10 Advertisers. They provided a generic letter, but I wrote my own.

HERE IS THEIR GENERIC LETTER:
To Whom It May Concern,

I want to inform you of my dissatisfaction with your continued sponsorship of the FOX News Channel.

The erroneous information FOX presents as news, racial and ethnic slurs and the general attitude of contempt displayed by the on-air personalities (I do not consider them to be journalists) is very offensive.

I have in fact BLOCKED the FOX News Channel from my cable lineup with the PURCHASE of a product called "FOXBlocker." This may not remove the negative association between your brand and FOX News, at least I won't "accidentally" tune in to FOX News ever again.

I would like to encourage you to use your advertising dollars more wisely in the future and support a REAL news channel.

Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,
My Name
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roguevalley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:47 PM
Response to Original message
29. This is wonderful. Right now, they are blocked on my cable box.
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rodeodance Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:18 PM
Response to Reply #29
37. It is worth 10 buckos to sent Fox a message!!!!
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AmyCrat Donating Member (721 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:44 PM
Response to Reply #37
45. no it's not.
Fox just laughs all the way to the bank because you still pay for the service through you cable provider. You just pay twice. Once to get the channel, and then this "foxblocker" to block it.
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Carolab Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 10:58 PM
Response to Original message
33. Bummer
doesn't support digital or satellite
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itzamirakul Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:02 PM
Response to Reply #33
34. Kick!
:)
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Carolab Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:13 PM
Response to Original message
36. I just called Comcast
and asked them to remove Fox from my service. I was informed that in order to do so, I would have to go all the way down to basic service. In other words, no HBO, no Comedy Channel, no Sundance, no IFC, you get the point. The rep suggested I block it on my set, and I replied that that was not the point, it was to let Comcast and Fox know that I did not want to support Fox and allow its advertisers to deliver their messages into my home. So I told the rep I would just cancel altogether and let Comcast know why, and get satellite instead.

I have a BETTER plan. I believe that we should all mount a SERIOUS campaign letting the cable services know that we want the ability to order multiple packages that will allow us to make selections that do not automatically include Fox. I would really prefer being able to pick and chose specific programs and customize my service completely like buying magazine subscriptions. The rep told me that they would have to have multiple nodes installed on the poles in order to break service out like that. Still, as I informed him, I see no reason why it's a choice of what I want AND Fox, or NOTHING but basic service.

Anyway, noodle it around. Meanwhile, anyone know if you can order satellite without Fox but still get the rest of the above?

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faithnotgreed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:26 PM
Response to Reply #36
41. good points carolab. i have comcast also and have
cancelled the digital part of cable. i hardly turn tv on but its important to communicate how much we detest that channel (among many others but you have to start somewhere)

to my knowledge, i dont think satellite allows you to pick and choose individual channels within the packages. and im sure faux is part of those...
but im glad you called comcast to let them know how you feel.
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seito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:18 PM
Response to Original message
38. This just plain ROCKS!!! n/t
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kerry2win Donating Member (321 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:18 PM
Response to Original message
39. I'll buy one even though I cancelled cable
Edited on Thu Dec-09-04 11:19 PM by kerry2win
just to send a message and to keep on my mantle as a friendly reminder to f**k fox
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caligirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:34 PM
Response to Original message
42. Best Button for fox watchers! LMAO link ........
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Nordic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:38 PM
Response to Original message
43. 29% growth in viewership MY ASS. These people are pro LIARS
and you can bet they're lying about that too.

I say burn 'em to the ground.
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AmyCrat Donating Member (721 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:40 PM
Response to Original message
44. Honestly, I'd rather have the option to drop it from my satellite service-
Edited on Thu Dec-09-04 11:40 PM by AmyCrat
Spending money on a device to block a channel I pay for, and that in turn, still sends a paycheck to Fox because I pay for it on my bill, it just stupid.

I would much rather have the option of cancelling it through my satellite company. I'm not going to pay another company to tell Fox just how much I dislike them so they can laugh all the way to the bank.

I'd rather do that myself, and in turn, cancel the channel from my home all together.
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