Today is showing just how powerful the internet has become in modern America and how it can be used to influence other forms of media. I woke up at 7:00 this morning to read in the AJC that Channel 2 (the local ABC affiliate) would not be airing the World Cup final live on Sunday morning. They would only be airing it on a tape delayed basis in the afternoon. The only way for Atlantans to view the match live would be to have a satellite dish or to watch it on Spanish language Univision.
Almost immediately upon learning this, I got onto the internet onto websites frequented by soccer fans, both in the Atlanta area as well as worldwide. Very quickly, Atlanta�s soccer fans were mobilized and were emailing and calling channel 2 to persuade them to change their minds. By 11:00, channel 2 heard the soccer fans of the Atlanta area, changing their minds and deciding to air the match live despite their original plans.
Not only Atlanta has seen soccer rebellion on this fine Friday. Affiliates in Birmingham and Charlotte have also succumbed to local soccer fans by changing from their original plans and airing the match live. Efforts are ongoing in Green Bay, Honolulu and other cities where the local ABC affiliates have opted to not show the match live.
This shows just how different the world we live in is different today. Ten years ago, to get such a group of people organized on such a short notice, it would have taken an act of God. However, today in the age of the internet, people of like mind can share strategies and tactics, informing one another of what needs to be done and how it can be done. It only took four hours of morning activism by Atlanta�s soccer fans to get the match on. Pretty impressive. Ten years ago, this would have been impossible.
This also shows another thing about corporate America. They CAN respond to the desires of their customers if they get organized and petition them. They realize that it is indeed in their best interest to please their consumers. The internet makes it possible for the average Joe, in concert with other average Joes and Janes, to make an impact. We did it this morning. So can you.
On Sunday morning, thanks to the ability to mobilize support online, I will be watching the world�s most watched sporting event, live, and in English.