What's the Big Idea / Forced Entrepeneurs?

So, CNBC has decided to put The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch on hiatus / indefinite hold. The reasons cited are that given the state of the economy, the show's focus on successful entrepreneurs was not appropriate. I love that show. Oh well.

I will grant that ratings also probably had something to do with CNBC's decision. Lots of people I know watch the show fairly religiously, but I guess the people that I hang out with are part of a specific demographic, not necessarily representative fo the general population.

But it seems to me that CNBC has lost out on a great opportunity, to become the trusted partner and resource for this growing sub-sector of the population. So many people are looking to start their own businesses (it was the entire conversation yesterday among the dads waiting at the Tae Kwon Do school my son attends), even those that are gainfully employed, and with The Big Idea's brand fairly well known, it is definitely an opportunity missed.

Contrast this with Barry Judge's blog post about marketing in a down economy. In one of the items in the post, the Best Buy CMO discusses how they will be focusing on the forced entrepreneur (my words) segment, as that segment is one that always grows in a down economy. Maybe Best Buy will take up the mantle and not just provide networking equipment, but become the de facto resource for these new entrepreneurs.