CBS Forced CNet Staff to Recast Vote After Hopper Won ‘Best in Show’ at CES

Josh Topolsky, reporting for The Verge:

Apparently, executives at CBS learned that the Hopper would win “Best of Show” prior to the announcement. Before the winner was unveiled, CBS Interactive News senior-vice president and General Manager Mark Larkin informed CNET’s staff that the Hopper could not take the top award. The Hopper would have to be removed from consideration, and the editorial team had to re-vote and pick a new winner from the remaining choices. Sources say that Larkin was distraught while delivering the news — at one point in tears — as he told the team that he had fought CBS executives who had made the decision.

Apparently the move to strike the Hopper from the awards was passed down directly to Larkin from the office of CBS CEO, Leslie Moonves. Moonves has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Hopper, telling investors at one point, “Hopper cannot exist... if Hopper exists, we will not be in business with (Dish).”

Disgraceful. This, from the company that was once the pinnacle of journalistic integrity.

★ Monday, 14 January 2013