This was the story of Howard Beale, the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings.

Max Schumacher (William Holden)

6 seconds sound clip from the Network (1976) movie soundboard.

You can hear this line at 01:59:19.798 in the Blu-ray version of the movie.

Quote context

[...]

- And starring the Mad Prophet of the Airways, Howard Beale!

(Gunfire)

- The Network News anchorman on the UBS Network News show known to millions as the Mad Prophet of the Airways was shot to death tonight in a fusillade of automatic-rifle fire just as he began this evening's broadcast.

- We never compromise, so why should you? Canada Dry mixers, why compromise?

- The extraordinary incident occurred in full view of his millions of viewers. The assassins were members of a terrorist group called the Ecumenical Liberation Army, two of whom were apprehended. The leader of the group, aka the Great Ahmed Kahn, escaped.

- This was the story of Howard Beale, the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings.

[...]