Nickelodeon to Cover Barack Obama’s Inauguration
Perhaps it’s never too early to introduce your children to politics? Children’s television network Nickelodeon will be showing highlights of President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration all day on Tuesday.
While the major networks plan to show the whole event live, Nickelodeon is tailoring its coverage for their audience. Snippets of the parade, the speech, and Obama’s oath of office will be televised and Nickelodeon’s own reporters will be broadcasting from Washington DC. Short segments of Inauguration coverage will be mixed in with their regular programs.
Nickelodeon has discovered that children are surprisingly interested in the political process. Nick networks covered the election and ran their own kiddie election, with much closer margin than the real one. Nick’s viewers also voted for Obama who won their election with 51% of the vote, John McCain receiving 49%. 2.2 million children cast their votes. And they say the youth are apathetic about politics!
Another reason that Nickelodeon is paying such close attention to politics is Barack Obama’s daughters, 10 year old Malia and 7 year old Sasha, are part of their target audience, and they are already influential celebrities themselves. Maybe Nickelodeon are hoping to get the First Family’s official approval?
Whatever your political position, most people agree that it’s important for children to understand the political process and want to get involved, understand the issues, and want to vote. I think this is a great thing for Nickelodeon to be doing. If I had cable I’d let my toddler son watch. We’ll have to follow it online if Nickelodeon carries their coverage on their website.
Another way for children to get involved with politics: Legoland has inaugurated President Obama already. An incredible lego model of the Inauguration with thousands of lego people is on display in Legoland in California.
Read More
