2024 has not been an easy year to find a lot of positivity in the media world (yes, that could have been my lead for most of the last decade). Accelerating declines in multichannel video subscribers, a series of recent or planned corporate transactions in motion pictures, TV and advertising that may mean renewal but will for sure mean more layoffs, troublesome court decisions and a news business already on its heels from an incoming presidential administration.

The politics of joy may not have worked out too well for Kamala Harris (remember her?) but there is still a lot to appreciate for all of us even in a turbulent sea that isn’t going to get calmer any time soon. In that spirit, here is my list of at least a few sanctuaries to find happiness in our media firmament. It’s not quite a “Top 10” grouping, but 2024 seems to merit a bit of a haircut on that long a list.

Thank you to committed independent journalists

“Mainstream media” seems to suffer no end of the strings and arrows of outrageous fortune, yet in the U.S. we are still incredibly lucky to have the professionalism and dedication of reporters, editors and executives that strive as best they can to get it right every day. It isn’t easy to search out and explain hard facts in a sea of tumultuous change, disinformation, and pockets of willful ignorance. This isn’t about ideology – it’s about maintaining a degree of optimism and relentlessness that real journalism demands. And it can come in many places.

I recently hosted a discussion with the President of NBC News, Rebecca Blumenstein, and Puck’s Abby Livingston, who individually and organizationally demonstrated their firm commitment to objective journalism in the face of constant criticism. Our appreciation should extend to brave journalists in dangerous global hotspots in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza, to nationally oriented non-profits such as Pro Publica and local news reporters in electronic and print covering stories that will never rise to the level of national attention. And it should apply as well to National Public Radio, an institution that I and I suspect many others probably took for granted in the flood of digital flotsam and jetsam coming at us in an election year. But it’s still there, and at the end of the day there aren’t too many more straightforward news sources so easily and ubiquitously available to everyone.

Social media – and yes even Facebook – can provide a positive gathering space

I am very well aware of the increasing data and reporting from books such as The Anxious Generation among others on the negative implications of social media, especially for teens. I don’t dispute any of that or need to be reminded of the turmoil of TikTok, X and their brethren. But on a very personal note, I recently lost my father, a sad rite of passage for so many of us. Facebook was an easy and emotionless means of communicating the dry but necessary logistics surrounding the celebration and mourning of my father. And I was extraordinarily moved by the simple notes of condolence from friends in far-flung places that reignited connections from elementary school, college, law school and host of professional relationships. As we think about how to “fix” social media’s challenges, maybe we can individually and collectively seek out those crevices of more positive reinforcement.

Sports and the joy of the unexpected

After watching another anodyne romantic comedy or quirky thriller streaming show (does anybody remember what they watched last month?), I love how much sports can stoke enduring emotions and bring people together. Unless you’re a die-hard for the losing team, seeing the broadcasted emotions from college football with Michigan’s shocking upset of Ohio State and Vanderbilt’s of Alabama has to bring some joy on behalf of underdogs everywhere. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese almost single handedly (double handedly?) brought women’s college and pro basketball to previously unimagined heights not only with record TV ratings but by inspiring hundreds of thousands of young women (and young men I’d gather). And are there bigger stars on any world stage than Argentina’s and Miami’s Lionel Messi or Japan’s and LA’s Shohei Ohtani? Just lean back and enjoy.

The power of sound endures

I recently wrote about how neuroscience demonstrates the superior retentive power of audio over video. And I love that in a world where people are bombarded by literally endless visual options from streaming to traditional TV to social media platforms, games, digital displays and everything else their phones throw at them, that sound alone has seen a resurgence in recent years. On a personal level this includes an endless array of choices of audiobooks (almost making commuting bearable at times), unimaginably easy access to almost all recorded music history on Spotify, a limitless flood of podcasts to choose from, and even a vinyl revival, reminding us that analog warmth endures even in a sea of digital 1s and 0s.

The magic of live events and “stars” not measured by performance metrics

I love a good spectacle as much as anyone. My family and I loved Wicked in both its Broadway and cinematic treatments. And I wouldn’t deny the appealing superstardom of Taylor Swift. But we should also appreciate the wonder of smaller live events and less omnipresent talents that bring something special and maybe more surprising to the media tableaux. For me that’s meant performers such as Sutton Foster on Broadway in Once Upon a Mattress summoning memories of the zaniest moments from Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett; Liz Callaway (Anastasia) and her sister Ann at a small cabaret club moving a few hundred of us to tears; laughing uproariously at a comic named Modi Rosenfeld I hadn’t heard of a year ago; and basking in the wisdom and skills of octogenarian pianist Manny Alexander at a jazz club. I doubt any of these performers are setting records for Instagram followers but would be off the charts on emotional impact (OK, audience engagement for us media mavens). Appreciation can’t always be precisely measured but you know when it when you feel it.