Current TV Reviews

Pros

Pros:
- As many have said, Current has been through a lot of changes over the years. And although that brings its fair share of cons, it also brings a lot of pros. It means you have a larger cross section of experiences. I've seen the company go from UGC, to daily news, to long form tv entertainment on various subject to news commentary. In all of those experiences, I've met a lot of interesting people and learned a lot of skills for a lot of varied situations.
- The people who work here are second to none. They're talented, sure, but they're warm, approachable and extremely funny people that I love spending time with.
- I've had good luck moving up the proverbial ladder at the company, and my contributions have not gone unnoticed.
- With so much going on at all times, there's never a dull day.
- The new news and commentary direction with Keith Olbermann will finally put Current TV on the map and give Current the direction it needs and deserves.

Cons

Cons:
- Although I mentioned the pros, there are also cons to constant changes. It brings about confusion and frustration when you're unclear on if the work you're doing will accomplish anything. It also brings about fear when you're unsure on what the future brings because the company has gone through a lot of restructuring in response to the constant changes. But I'm thinking with Keith Olbermann on the air, this will be the last time the company goes through any significant changes.
- With so many layoffs that have happened over the years, much of the head count has never been replaced leaving whoever is left over to pick up the slack. This definitely causes tension and long work hours for many.

Advice to Senior Management

The company has done a good job at filling the top of the company with experienced management to see the company through its new direction. My only input would be that I hope that now that management is fleshed out that they start replacing head count below the line to relieve the workloads of many.

Pros

There is som interesting technology and clever people to play with it. When i was there there was still plenty of money for regular corpotate budgets so there were fringe benefits. Some people were great to work with.

Cons

Lots of people were still stuck in the startup mentality which was over years ahgo. Also tons of media people who don't realy get technology people, and the media people were very much in charge. That made an enviornment where it made more sense for people to swagger and bluster and claim their area of power instead of workig together to make better things and sharing information. A separate structure grew up insde the normal one where people who liked each other did normal work for each other, but would masively hold back for people outside the network. Which was great when you were part of that network but bad when you werent, and either way projects that diserved to be completed got smashed because of that power dynamic.

Advice to Senior Management

dont let the media people run the company and figure out a way to make everyone respect each other, and prmote the actually talented, npt the people who can claim it the loudest

Pros

The sheer level of talented individuals was mind numbing. I learned more here than anywhere it's a shame it has since fallen by the wayside.

Cons

There was an overall loss of direction over the course of my time there. Most big decisions seemed to be made on a reactionary basis.

Advice to Senior Management

I pretty certain that all the Management I worked under is no longer there. Make decisions and listen to the employees.

Pros

Friendly, energetic co-workers and a nice location.

Cons

Constantly shifting goals
Poor communication
Company takes advantage of independent producers

Advice to Senior Management

Stop trying to wring free and almost free content out of independent producers. You can't build a sustainable business model by taking advantage of others.

Pros

The staff at Current consisted of some of the most talented and hardworking people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

Cons

The incompetence of the senior executive team ultimately caused the company to circle around the drain. The lack of a clear mission statement, a clear brand, proper marketing, innovative programming and cohesive integration between the online and programming departments has lead to the demise of what was once a promising company.

Advice to Senior Management

in order to be able to do what you need to do to turn this company around I would start with establishing some clear, consistent and attainable goals. Once you have that established then and only then can you hire the right people to help you reach those goals. what is it that Current is trying to do. What is Current? it doesn't seem that anyone is on the same page regarding a fundamental question.

Pros

Great to be part of an ideas driven, cross platform media network. Perfect place if you share the liberal focus of the content.

Cons

They hire young idealist people and use them like hamsters on a wheel. Secretive and clubby, big media atmosphere not justified by audience size.

Advice to Senior Management

Clue in employees to what are the long term goals. This was never really apparent beyond just pumping out more content for the demographic.

Pros

Working for a .com that also has a tv channel and online community
Working in the news media for profit

Cons

Frequent changes in strategy, direciton, and leadership at current tv and current.com
frequent layoffs of coworkers and others at current.com

Advice to Senior Management

When others are laid off, someone has to start doing their job, frequent layoffs compounds this exponentially and leaves your workforce exhausted