CNN down to 25,000 viewers?

[koolestcat]

Heard Limbaugh say the other week that a CNN show (I think it was AC360) dipped to 25,000 viewers in one ratings sampling.

Anyone seen this? If it's true CNN needs a big time shake up.

I would say Cooper, Wolfy, Larry K and some of the others have to be dumped quickly. Then they should recruit some new people from FOX or MSNBC and fit them to a new CNN format.

 

[DToTheJ]

Heard Limbaugh say the other week that a CNN show (I think it was AC360) dipped to 25,000 viewers in one ratings sampling.

Anyone seen this? If it's true CNN needs a big time shake up.

Actually, it was Campbell Brown's show that hit that viewer low one night last week.

 

[jimbo]

If it came out of Rush's mouth, I wouldn't believe a word of it.

That sums up what I believe when I read stories from the Associated Press.

 

[BRNout]

Heard Limbaugh say the other week that a CNN show (I think it was AC360) dipped to 25,000 viewers in one ratings sampling.

Anyone seen this? If it's true CNN needs a big time shake up.

Actually, it was Campbell Brown's show that hit that viewer low one night last week.

In other words, Rush spoke the truth - but spun it a bit out of context for entertainment purposes. Hey, I am as big a fan of Rush as anyone here - but I also know that he does this now and then. It's part of his 'bit' - he does not lie, but he does put a spin on certain facts when convenient to make a point. And no, he was not wrong - for Brown to have a mere 25,000 viewers for her show (even if for one minute) is pathetic. Even if the rest of her show picked up a few viewers and was at 50,000 or 80,000, that's still a pathetic showing.

So he's not wrong. Basically nobody is watching some of these programs. CNN definitely needs to shake things up. Perhaps they need to simply focus on hard news and leave the talking to others (or to HLN). This is what they seem to do best.

 

[searadiofreak]

Problem is, it seems like CNN has had several shakeups during the past decade or so. Nothing seems to work. Like the polarity of Fox and MSNBC or not, those two atleast are defined by the audience. CNN seems to have trouble being in the middle. Kind of a tough place to be in 2010 unfortunately.

 

[BRNout]

1) Anyone who belives Limbaugh has some serious issues to deal with...I will leave it there.

And yet I'm sure you believe everything Keith Olberman and Rachael Maddow says.

I agree with you Bengalsfan. Rush may spin things his way - that's the mark of an entertainer. But he doesn't tell lies on his show; what you hear on his program (factually) is either true or is opinion based on true facts. His opinion is - of course - to be debated to no end here. Agree or disagree....that's the main idea. Same goes for the spin. Again, that's what opinion shows do - spin the facts to support what they have to say.

But, Rush doesn't just make up lies and to imply such represents a blind ignorance of what he does. Even his most strident enemies in Washington and New York wouldn't say what jal said. Put it this way: if Rush actually did that, he would not have lasted for a tiny fraction of his 25+ years on the air as a talk host. His enemies would have brought him down and fast.

 

[WPPCProductions]

Wow,Thats all.How will CNN will live on that.It's sad to see Ted's channel going down the drain.They have to do something to reorganize the programming and get their priorities ironed out.
there is to many talk shows on the channel personally what I see.

 

[notalkallstatic]

I will not comment on the subject of this post, because I believe it's not true, unless you can show me some proof (which includes numbers from a REAL source... i.e. Neilson,) and not hear-say from a radio personality.

It's sad to see Ted's channel going down the drain.They have to do something to reorganize the programming and get their priorities ironed out.
there is to many talk shows on the channel personally what I see.

It is sad, it really is. Ted should buy the channel's back (if he had the money) and he would probably be able to iron everything out. That's my opinion...take it or leave it...

 

[Bengalsfan]

I will not comment on the subject of this post, because I believe it's not true, unless you can show me some proof (which includes numbers from a REAL source... i.e. Neilson,) and not hear-say from a radio personality.

Google and learn, static.

 

[LKellerIII]

Heard Limbaugh say the other week that a CNN show (I think it was AC360) dipped to 25,000 viewers in one ratings sampling.

Anyone seen this? If it's true CNN needs a big time shake up.

I would say Cooper, Wolfy, Larry K and some of the others have to be dumped quickly. Then they should recruit some new people from FOX or MSNBC and fit them to a new CNN format.

And I assume you'd want to replace those people with Fox News style right wing pundits? From what I understand, it's O'Reilly, Hannity and Beck who pull in the big ratings over at FNC.

It's no secret that we've become a very polarized country - if you're a network catering to people who are frustrated and angry with those currently in power, you'll attract the most viewers. It's the same reason right-wing talk radio and right wing talk radio hosts became ever more popular during the Clinton Administration.

If McCain had won...no...strike that - he's too moderate. Let's imagine a world in which Dick Cheney was currently President. I'd theorize that Fox News wouldn't be as popular, and MSNBC would be riding higher in the ratings.

Poor hapless CNN just tries to deliver the news for the most part - so fewer people are watching.

 

[oaktree]

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/03/0...ews-ratings-through-february/43468#more-43468

Brown is doing horribly, granted, but the 25,000 is quite possibly in the 25-54 year old cell. Last June, she reached a "low" of just 69,000 viewers in a Nielsen sample in that demo cell.

Overall, today, her numbers are abysmal ... in the 520,000 range at 8 p.m. -- a time that CNN has long had horribly numbers against O'Reilly and Olberman. Nothing new there. In February, they have dropped into the 300,000 range.

Brown's numbers, as shown, are heading down from the overall 520,000 viewer level. In the important 25-54 cell, however, it is highly possible that her numbers have slipped from last summer. Rush's take is a "partial truth" of spin. A station or program may be #1 overall with huge ratings, but in the "sellable demos" -- may be #13 or lower in the 25-54 cell. Not uncommon. KGO in San Francisco is a prime example. Older listeners carry the numbers, whereas advertisers want the punch in the more attractive cells of which 25-54 is the "standard" -- while today, 18-49 is now taking over, as is 18-34.

Strangely, of all of the networks, MSNBC is the one making money and salvaging NBC News. Both CBS & ABC News are losing money hand over fist. Look for a "consolidation" move in the future -- with CNN being the choice to team.

 

[LKellerIII]

Maybe I can solict some agreement from both conservative and liberal posters on this topic:

Here's my opinion: When you consider all 3 cable news outlets and all the on-air talent including reporters, anchors, and pundits - the absolute worst - bar none - has got to be Rick Sanchez.

 

[searadiofreak]

Maybe I can solict some agreement from both conservative and liberal posters on this topic:

Here's my opinion: When you consider all 3 cable news outlets and all the on-air talent including reporters, anchors, and pundits - the absolute worst - bar none - has got to be Rick Sanchez.

I can see why Sanchez could be polarizing, but I personally find him interesting. He certainly brings a lot energy and passion to what he does, although he does seem a little over the top at times. I still prefer anchors who bring that passion over a pretty face who just "reads". Just one opinion.

 

[badjef]

CNN is the "Confused News Network". I coined that almost 15 years ago when others were calling it the "Clinton News Network". I said, "Clinton would be out of office, CNN will still be confused." Nothing's changed - except they have some neat toys in Atlanta...
... Now, if only they knew how to use them.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[searadiofreak]

Somebody hit on this earlier, but a good solution for CNN might be to tie in with one of the original big three. CNN has always had a good relationship with CBS, perhaps that is the easiest route. But it would have to be a true merger, not just an idle relationship where they share reporters. Something like "CBS/CNN News" wouldn't be out of the question. This might be a win-win, where CBS could beef up their news image, and CNN could justify their image with the great brand name of CBS. Who knows?

 

[YEKIMI]

I think CBS is already using CNN reporters on some stories especially overseas.

 

[DToTheJ]

There's even a story out there where CNN's Anderson Cooper shot down a report that he would be replacing Katie Couric on the "CBS Evening News"!

 

[KERCAlum]

And AC already does pieces for 60 Minutes. So there's a tie that already exists.

Personally, all three of the cable news networks have no business calling themselves "news networks" if more than 50% of their programming is talk-oriented or personality-oriented. This is possibly why HLN changed its moniker from "CNN Headline News." And I believe that trend toward more opinionated talk disguised as "news" is going to ultimately turn people away from television and toward the Internet.

(Personal opinion: when news reporters and anchors "spin" the news in a certain direction and drift from the facts of the story, that counts as "opinion" in my book, and opinion has no place in a news operation unless you label it as such (a throwback to the early days of news).

 

[searadiofreak]

I think CBS is already using CNN reporters on some stories especially overseas.

Yes, I know. I'm talking about taking it to a much higher level, even combining their name when it comes to the news division. Perhaps a bit far-fetched, but nothing surprises really surprises me anymore.

 

[BRNout]

I think CBS is already using CNN reporters on some stories especially overseas.

Yes, I know. I'm talking about taking it to a much higher level, even combining their name when it comes to the news division. Perhaps a bit far-fetched, but nothing surprises really surprises me anymore.

This is not the first time that I have heard this rumor; likely spurred on by Anderson "Tea Bags" Cooper's involvement with 60 Minutes. To be honest, it does make quite a bit of sense as far as CBS is concerned. We all saw what just happened at ABC News and you may have heard about the layoffs and pay cuts at CBS (except for Couric, who probably deserved a pay cut more than anyone).

The day will come soon when the major networks will simply outsource their evening news broadcasts to entities that do news coverage for a living. Somewhat like how ABC has outsourced their once very prestigious sports department to ESPN. It's easier for NBC, thanks to MSNBC. Fox has Fox News to rely on for big news stories (and doesn't do an evening newscast). As for ABC and CBS, it will come down to who can snuggle up to CNN first. They will end up farming out most, if not all, of their news to someone else. Perhaps a hybrid, keeping a couple of key on-air staff members but using the news net for everything else. Or maybe they simply have someone else handle the whole thing and air a newscast as a public service and to fill an early evening time slot.

At least that's the way I see it, if I look 5 years down the road. The present network news model is obsolete and untenable.