I have a crazy idea. As an economics major, I’m always thinking in terms of using what resources are already available, and using them for a better cause. Simply put, corporations spend billions and billions of dollars on advertising. Also, Americans love watching television.
So what if we had a cable TV channel where corporations were offered free advertising in exchange for donations to charity? This station would be advertised so that people know that when they watch it, they are helping out in the world—just by watching TV.
Imagine this: producers, actors, shows, and networks step up for the good cause by "donating" certain episodes to be aired on the better-world TV network. People would then tune in to watch their regular TV shows.
Instead of advertisers paying the station to air their commercials, we ask them to instead donate products to good causes. (The station would keep a small portion of the profits just so it could pay the bills, etc.). Say that we had Kellogg’s, or Levi’s Jeans advertising on the station. Instead of paying us to air the commercial, they would donate their food and clothing to food banks and organizations all around the globe. Alternatively, they could just take the cash they would otherwise be paying to over-funded TV station moguls, and fund organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Corps.—whatever they choose!
Imagine the billions and billions of dollars spent on advertising—transformed into food, clothing, and other products that can be donated to good causes. Also, if you knew that you were really benefiting the entire globe just by watching TV and getting ratings up (advertisers will then pay more money/donations because of higher ratings), wouldn’t you watch??? I mean—it’s like putting the power to change the world into the living rooms of Americans everywhere.
Just think—I know this is a long shot, but imagine that the Super Bowl was aired on our Better-World TV network. Tens of billions of dollars and donations would be given to charitable organizations in just a couple of hours.
I want to see this TV station become a reality! Would you watch?
Please help me develop my idea—I’m excited about it!
