Have to agree with UB Dan and RobDale on this one, and disagree with MTed. Mass media are NOT "the only way you can communicate with your fellow citizens". There are any number of ways we can communicate. Now, a major television network like CBS may offer certain advantages, but if you want what they're offering, you have to play by their rules. I don't see anything wrong with that, unless they start using their success to create a monoploy, thereby stifling other means of communication. As of this point, I can't see that CBS has a monopoly on anything.

Ironically, I think Ani DiFranco understands this better than most. She is rightfully celebrated for her creative independence, and has quite successfully started her own record company so that she could play by her own rules. She knows the deal -- you call the shots on your label, I call the shots on mine -- and I'm sure she can figure out that this applies to broadcast networks just as it applies to record companies. All I see here is that two parties tried to reach an agreement, failed, and went their separate ways. What's the problem?