CBS yields on Reagan movie

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By

CBS will not broadcast a miniseries about the legacy of former President Ronald Reagan, conceding yesterday that the production "does not present a balanced portrayal of the Reagans."

But the project is still alive and kicking. In a deft scheduling maneuver, CBS will now air the "The Reagans" on cable channel Showtime, owned by Viacom, the parent company to both networks.

"A free broadcast network, available to all over the public airwaves, has different standards than media the public must pay to view," the network explained in a statement, praising the $9 million production for its "impressive production values and acting performances" and categorizing the decision as "fair."

But none of it rings true among those who steadfastly maintain the series omitted or distorted historical facts about Mr. Reagan's presidency while sullying his personal life.

"Misleading a smaller audience of viewers is not a noble response to the legitimate concerns raised about this program," said Ed Gillespie, chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) yesterday.

CBS is available in 100 million homes; Showtime is seen in 28 million.

The decision "does not address the central concern over historical accuracy," Mr. Gillespie said, calling for the series to be reviewed for historical accuracy and categorized "a fictionalized portrayal."

He made a similar request to CBS on Friday, and now suggests Showtime feature an onscreen "crawl" during the broadcast informing viewers that the series was fictional.

CBS spokesman Chris Ender reaffirmed late yesterday that the network still stood by its statement despite continued criticism.