@justanotherfan I think you are getting the terms interpreted in a very narrow form. The Term Main Stream Media is not unique to hard news but to all form of media . The currently accepted definition is: Mainstream media (MSM) is a term and abbreviation used to refer collectively to the various large mass news media that influence a large number of people, and both reflect and shape prevailing currents of thought. Whether we like it or not, sources such as TMZ, Bravo, A&E, TLC and ET are considered part of the MSM since they report entertainment or lighter news in the same way ESPN and Fox Sports report sports news and both are considered MSM; many of these notworks have larger audiences than traditional outlets like CNN.