When Does "Network" (1976) Take Place?
"Network" is a political comedy film written by Paddy Chayefsky that released November 27th, 1976. So when is "Network" set?
It takes place in the years:
We know this because very early on UBS television news reporter Howard Beale's show covers not one but two recent assassination attempts on the United States of American president Gerald R. Ford: "The first attempt on President Ford's life was 18 days ago and again yesterday in San Francisco. In spite of the two attempts, Mister Ford says he will not become a prisoner of the Oval Office-- a hostage of would-be assassins." This (remarkably) did happen in the real world on September 5th, 1975 AD and, then, on September 22nd, 1975 AD. So the movie starts in late September of 1975 AD.
1975 AD - 1976 AD
We know this because very early on UBS television news reporter Howard Beale's show covers not one but two recent assassination attempts on the United States of American president Gerald R. Ford: "The first attempt on President Ford's life was 18 days ago and again yesterday in San Francisco. In spite of the two attempts, Mister Ford says he will not become a prisoner of the Oval Office-- a hostage of would-be assassins." This (remarkably) did happen in the real world on September 5th, 1975 AD and, then, on September 22nd, 1975 AD. So the movie starts in late September of 1975 AD.
Furthermore, the unnamed omniscient narrator specifically declares, ..."on September 22nd, 1975, he was fired. Effective in 2 weeks."
Partway through the narrative, the narrator continues, "And on October 15th, Diana Christensen flew to Los Angeles for what the trade calls powwows"... and this accurately describes the following scenes. So it is probably October of 1975 AD at this point.
Then, Max Schumacher says to Diana, "After living with you for 6 months, I’m turning into one of your scripts." and Max and Diana enjoyed their first flirtations in an earlier scene that happened during or just after September of 1975 AD. So it must at least be into the next calendar year, during or after March of 1976 AD.
9.1,975 + 6 months = 3.1,976.
Furthermore, about three-quarters into the story the narrator tells us "The Mao Tse-Tung Hour went on the air March 14th. It received a forty-seven share." and the following scene shows characters debating elements of the contract such as "sub-licensing" and "distribution costs" for its continuation as a second season. So it's almost certainly after March of 1976 AD.
Soon after, near the end of the plot the narrator informs us "By the first week in July, the Howard Beale Show"... So it's most likely sometime during July of 1976 AD at the end.
It was adapted to the stage in 2017.
