Week 2- Network

The film Network features a man by the name of Howard Beale whom gets kicked off the air for being reckless and rebellious. Howard Beale is on CBS network and takes a stand to voice his personal opinion regarding television programing. Following his termination from CBS a smaller television UBS network wants to put him back on to raise their ratings. Spontaneously letting out anger and denouncing hypocrisies of our time. Howard Beale’s conflict between the two networks is demonstrating corporate maneuvering in this film, seeking network confrontation. 

The film Network takes place during an economic recession. Beale broadcasts that there is no end to it, everyone is scared to loose their jobs so will not voice their opinions. “I don't know what to do about the depression and the inflation but I want you to get mad, and say Im a human being Im mad as hell and Im not going to take this anymore”. “Stick your head out of the window and yell Im mad as hell and Im not going to take this anymore”. Beale’s request of television viewers worked, Beale started a movement through the UBS network. Beale was speaking on behalf of the ongoing struggle of the oppressed masses. 

Following this television network movement and it’s success, UBS created a talk show “The Howard Beale Show”. Beale and UBS had sixty-two million Americans watching. Beale broadcasts “the only truth you know is what you get over this tube, this tube is the gospel, the ultimate revelation”. UBS and the television network had turned into a propaganda force. Beale stated “TV is not the truth its a god damn amusement park”. “So if you want the truth go to God, go to your guru’s, go to yourself”. Beale was proclaiming on American television that television will tell you anything you want to hear.  “Ya’ll are beginning to believe whatever the tube tells you, you people are the real thing TV is the illusion”. UBS network was quickly becoming one of the most profitable centers in the empire. Not only did Howard Beale have the ability to keep the viewers attention week after week, Beale had the power to lead the network viewers and their actions.