Unless its an emergency he shouldnt interrupt normal TV programming. He can stick to CSpan or cable news for that.

he isn't campaigning anymore: he is our President and what he has to say in his speeches is incredibly important- especially during this economic crises. I am shocked that people favor their precious television shows over the state of our country (and trust me, I am a huge television fan). And the poor television companies....they are losing an hour or so of advertising- I'm sure they'll make it up.

Presidents have ALWAYS interrupted tv programing...whats new now?
I will probably yell at the TV for a while if they mess with my shows...but anything he has to say in important.

Sarah, There is nothing he has to say about the "state of our country" that I dont already know. I am not favoring any precious tv shows over his speeches, of which he gives many, its overkill right now.

I don't watch tv, but I'll catch his broadcast on the net. As long as he didn't interupt my watching Keith Olbermann, I'm alright.

I don't watch t.v. really, so it won't make much difference to me.

I just don't get why ALL the stations have to have him on... isn't one channel enough??? GEESH.

It's for a prime-time news conference, not an address to the nation.

37-million people watched Obama's first news conference on February 9th - the networks probably will take that into consideration.
There's no law that says the networks have to cover it. If the networks think everyone already knows what Obama will say, they don't have to cover it. If they think the American people need to hear what the president has to say, or want to hear, they'll air it.

I can understand why they are covering it. We are in a mess right now. Hopefully he will have some good news to report on the economy and not just use this time to talk about the AIG fiasco.

If 37 million watched the last one, it seems like win-win, as long as the networks can take commercial breaks.

The networks aren't legally obligated to defer their programming, so its their choice at the end of the day. If they are sick of hearing stuff people have already heard then they don't have to broadcast him.

The networks end up losing a lot of money - so the White House needs to compensate them for their losses. It's insensitive to the networks who are struggling as it is. Let the cable news channels cover it - that's plenty.

The only reason he is doing this is because he wants to get his poll numbers up and he is using his 1 weapon, his celebrity. I know it is the channels right not to bump broadcasting, but this is not a state of the union address. The only thing he is trying to do is increase his popularity numbers. What is a speech on primetime tv really going to do? It's not like he has to give us pertinent information on what steps to take. It is only going to be more campaigning. It is absurd. The dudes been in office for 2 months and he already is campaigning!! I love that he is bitching and moaning about the millions spent in bonus, unconstitutionally back taxing them, when he spent over $20 BILLION in aid to FOREIGN banks. So we can send billions over seas to shore up their banks but millions to bank execs, regardless how silly, is like a capital crime wtf???? That money will be spent in the US. It's not like those people are just going to tuck that money under their mattresses.... It will be in banks, they will invest it in the stock market, invest it in real estate! Oh no not now, 90% will just go to our federal government so they can spend it on their foreign interest. Talk about transparency, why haven't you heard of this huh?

I don't know why the networks are complaining...they don't HAVE to put the speech on. If they don't want to and make a business decision not to then they are allowed to do that. They ask them to show it (and they always have) but if they want to say no then they should stand up and say no. Also, people don't HAVE to watch it...if you don't want to then turn off the TV and go outside or read a book for an hour. Why is this a big deal? It's one hour of TV!

Why is our president on TV so much? Stop news conferencing and pay more attention to your real job... you have a press secretary for a reason!

Unfortunately for Obama, his Press Secretary sucks.

"I don't know why the networks are complaining...they don't HAVE to put the speech on. If they don't want to and make a business decision not to then they are allowed to do that. They ask them to show it (and they always have) but if they want to say no then they should stand up and say no. Also, people don't HAVE to watch it...if you don't want to then turn off the TV and go outside or read a book for an hour. Why is this a big deal? It's one hour of TV! "

Yup. I know my local WGN station never has any news conferences on, so...whatevs. I also fail to see how he's just using his "celebrity" for a news conference. But to each his own.

I am bummed about Idol being bumped forward a day, since I love one of the contestants this year. Shallow, yes, but true.

em, which contestant?! I like Matt, he's my darkhorse.

It's NOT a speech, it's a news conference. People can watch reporters ask questions and hear Obama's answers without any reporter input or deletions - no filtering.

The networks can decide based on their own interests and what they think their viewers want.

Piper, I am ALL about the Matt this season. Loved him from his first audition and have been rooting for him ever since. Can't wait til he puts out a CD!

Matts the blind one?

notinthemood, apparently since he chose such a pisspoor press secretary, Obama has decided to be his own press secretary instead of running the country.

Oooh, Team! You're going to want to ass pisspoor to your list of words that you star! Sorry, I figured that you'd already have that!

No, Matt's the piano guy that kind of looks like Justin Timberlake. He is very talented and the judges are finally beginning to realize it. He kicked butt this week.

I think it's safe to say that the state of the times has a lot to do with the Network decision to give in to the request. I can remember a couple of times that President Bush was allowed the same privilege so it isn't exclusively an Obama phenomena.

Hey as long as I still get my Idol I'm a happy man. GO LiL!! Go Adam!! YAY!!!

Love Obama but think that as long as one or two networks show it I dont they should ALL have to.

not that it's a mandate, i don't think that the networks should HAVE to change their schedule - it's just one of those things that you know that they will. it's a ratings thing - people do tend to tune into the president's speeches. it's just annoying sometimes when there's really nothing else on - thank goodness for cable if you don't really want to listen to the pres.

Obama needs to put a sock in it. He's already won the election. Time to slide out of campaign mode and figure out how to govern. The guy is looking increasingly narcissistic.

I think it is a great thing. The other day I was watching the townhall meetings he had in California, and he REALLY is a born teacher, and that is what our country needs right now. I think it is so important for people to understand what is going on right now.

So many "news" outlets aren't educational, they are inflammatory because that is what gets ratings. I think that speaking directly to the American people helps us stay informed during these very chaotic times.

"It's NOT a speech, it's a news conference. People can watch reporters ask questions and hear Obama's answers without any reporter input or deletions - no filtering."

So important!!!

Yeah I would agree that they should pre-empt American Idol(TRASH), but all other shows should come on as normal ahahaha!

American Idol should just be permanently removed from the air, for dumbing down the country at large.

NO or they just become propaganda outlets.

Hey! No commercials for one whole hour!
And not everybody knows everything. You don't even know what the Prez is gonna say,,,,or, are you psychic????? If you are, then let loose with the lotto numbers, eh?? Chill.

He gives so many more press conferences than Bush and I have complained about it interrupting my TV schedule before.

Aw-w-w. Bush never kept us updated about anything until AFTER the facts. President Obama thinks America should be notified of all that is going on and that is obviously more important. Get over it already!

Osa, your statement is very untrue, we know you dont like Bush but dont make things up.

No, it's not 'very untrue.' Bush rarely held news conferences and didn't spend a lot of time talking to the American people about what he planned to do before he did it.

Real good, Stephie Girl. Thanks for the support.
Caterpillar, it's not about who we like, it's about who is best at what they do. Obama is just wanting to ensure the American people that they are being informed of all that is taking place. Your tele shows will air again......no biggy.
We are all going through some very bad economic times no matter who started what. We just have to be a part of the solution not the commotion.

Real good, Stephie Girl. Thanks for the support.
Caterpillar, it's not about who we like, it's about who is best at what they do. Obama is just wanting to ensure the American people that they are being informed of all that is taking place. Your tele shows will air again......no biggy.
We are all going through some very bad economic times no matter who started what. We just have to be a part of the solution not the commotion.