Media Satire 'Network' Available on Arte and Arte Mediathek from April 20 to May 19

The 1976 film 'Network,' directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Paddy Chayefsky, will be broadcast on Arte on April 20 and streamable on the Arte Mediathek until May 19. This classic media satire critiques television's sensationalism and ratings-driven content, featuring a plot where news anchor Howard Beale, played by Peter Finch, announces his suicide on air, leading to a surge in viewership. The film's themes remain relevant today, addressing issues in private television and social media like Instagram and TikTok. Key characters include news editor Max Schumacher (William Holden), manager Frank Hackett (Robert Duvall), and programming head Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway), who capitalizes on Beale's outbursts to create a sensational show. Beale evolves into an angry prophet exposing U.S. societal flaws and internal scandals at the fictional network UBS, culminating in drastic measures by the network executives to maintain ratings. The film is produced by Turner Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and its portrayal of media corruption and audience manipulation continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about broadcast and digital media.