CNN jumps the shark with non-LA story

[seatownmedia]

Good grief, CNN. Going live and local with a minor standoff in Los Angeles is beyond the pale. Why was this story so important? These kind of incidents happen all the time, usually with a good outcome. Over an hour and a half of live coverage? Really? What drives this? I guess because there is nothing else that has any importance. But what a waste of cable news network time. I can't believe CNN spent so much time on a local story that really doesn't impact anyone outside of a one-mile square area.

Would this have been covered in Seattle, Denver, or Minneapolis? No.

Get a grip CNN.

 

[Poledo]

The LA standoff would have made a nice adddition to LivePD. Turn that show (and it's spinoffs) into a cable channel or OTA Diginet.

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

I tend to agree...a 24/7 “pursuit channel” would be a real winner in today’s world. Stand-offs, police chases, etc live and replayed in the overnights, combined with some “Worlds Wildest Police Chases” or similar supplementary programs. Considering these are legitimately uploaded to YouTube within minutes of them happening, running it live seems to be the next logical step.

The major issue would be having to keep up with various local media’s social media to figure out what’s going on and where. Also, rights issues with rebroadcasting local newscasts, but I doubt that’d be a dealbreaker.

But yes, to answer the OP’s question...I have felt CNN jumped the shark about 5-6 years ago when they cut way back on their news content in the evenings/overnights and replaced a lot of it with documentaries (some were good) and more talking head programs.

Nowadays for news, I go for CBSN (which offers a live cam of CBS Radio TOH News) and, oddly enough, NHK World, which seems to be some of the only long-form live news offered from 10pm-3am

 

[seatownmedia]

I tend to agree...a 24/7 “pursuit channel” would be a real winner in today’s world. Stand-offs, police chases, etc live and replayed in the overnights, combined with some “Worlds Wildest Police Chases” or similar supplementary programs. Considering these are legitimately uploaded to YouTube within minutes of them happening, running it live seems to be the next logical step.

The major issue would be having to keep up with various local media’s social media to figure out what’s going on and where. Also, rights issues with rebroadcasting local newscasts, but I doubt that’d be a dealbreaker.

But yes, to answer the OP’s question...I have felt CNN jumped the shark about 5-6 years ago when they cut way back on their news content in the evenings/overnights and replaced a lot of it with documentaries (some were good) and more talking head programs.

Nowadays for news, I go for CBSN (which offers a live cam of CBS Radio TOH News) and, oddly enough, NHK World, which seems to be some of the only long-form live news offered from 10pm-3am

CNN seems to have lost their way IMO. Remember when those missing Asian airliners were in the news 2-3 years ago. They became "The missing airliner news station". When airliners stopped going missing they became the "Let's get rid of Trump news station". (don't get me wrong, I'm no Trump fan, but CNN doesn't try to hide the fact that they will point out every negative they can find, and it may indeed backfire, if it hasn't already).

But the original point of this is CNN took a relatively small local news story in Los Angeles, (possible hostage situation at a small grocery store), and spent well over an hour with their national feed with breathless news anchors treating it like 9/11. I just called them out for it, that's all. I would like my media to pick and choose their battles (stories) more carefully and not just go wall to wall because they are live and breaking. Good above references to LIVEPD. Atleast they tell you what they are all about and you can choose to watch or not.

On the positive side, I like most of the CNN docs. But when did they become the "Documentary Station?" Was this in between the "Missing Asian Plane Channel" and the "Let's Get Trump" Channel? Seriously...

 

[TheBigA]

But the original point of this is CNN took a relatively small local news story in Los Angeles, (possible hostage situation at a small grocery store), and spent well over an hour with their national feed with breathless news anchors treating it like 9/11.

These kinds of things are big ratings fiestas for CNN. Nothing like a good disaster, real or imagined, to attract viewers. For some reason, only CNN seems to benefit from these kinds of things.

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

To think that there are days when I wish this was all a dream and Ted Turner is still running CNN/TBS/TNT (and WCW for that matter). Oh and I almost forgot this radical concept called Headline News! (I consider HLN a completely different channel than the old Headline News...)

Like him or not, he was a man who had an incredible knack for knowing what television viewers want. Ever since TimeWarner bought Turner in the late 90’s, the whole Turner portfolio has gone down the commode (with the exception of TNT, which has arguably actually improved since the Turner era).

CNN International has avoided a lot of the weirdness that has been on the Domestic CNN. Problem is, it’s not really available in the US except for that hour-long slot in the middle of the night on ‘Murican CNN (that may have been replaced by a talking head repeat)

Basically, once Larry King left, CNN just didn’t feel the same to me. So many other news organizations do a better job now. I’m glad I’m not the only one who notices this...

 

[TheBigA]

Ever since TimeWarner bought Turner in the late 90’s, the whole Turner portfolio has gone down the commode (with the exception of TNT, which has arguably actually improved since the Turner era).

The amazing thing is that the Turner nets are by far the most profitable part of Time Warner, more than HBO or Warner Brothers movies. Now they're all part of AT&T.

As we used to say down in ol' Mexico City...A.M.F.!

How is someone from Seattle aware of the Greaseman?

 

[umfan]

CNN seems to have lost their way IMO. Remember when those missing Asian airliners were in the news 2-3 years ago. They became "The missing airliner news station". When airliners stopped going missing they became the "Let's get rid of Trump news station". (don't get me wrong, I'm no Trump fan, but CNN doesn't try to hide the fact that they will point out every negative they can find, and it may indeed backfire, if it hasn't already).

But the original point of this is CNN took a relatively small local news story in Los Angeles, (possible hostage situation at a small grocery store), and spent well over an hour with their national feed with breathless news anchors treating it like 9/11. I just called them out for it, that's all. I would like my media to pick and choose their battles (stories) more carefully and not just go wall to wall because they are live and breaking. Good above references to LIVEPD. Atleast they tell you what they are all about and you can choose to watch or not.

On the positive side, I like most of the CNN docs. But when did they become the "Documentary Station?" Was this in between the "Missing Asian Plane Channel" and the "Let's Get Trump" Channel? Seriously...

CNN really has no purpose anymore. AT&T would do well to reurpose the network into something useful.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

To think that there are days when I wish this was all a dream and Ted Turner is still running CNN/TBS/TNT (and WCW for that matter). Oh and I almost forgot this radical concept called Headline News! (I consider HLN a completely different channel than the old Headline News...)

Like him or not, he was a man who had an incredible knack for knowing what television viewers want. Ever since TimeWarner bought Turner in the late 90’s, the whole Turner portfolio has gone down the commode (with the exception of TNT, which has arguably actually improved since the Turner era).

CNN International has avoided a lot of the weirdness that has been on the Domestic CNN. Problem is, it’s not really available in the US except for that hour-long slot in the middle of the night on ‘Murican CNN (that may have been replaced by a talking head repeat)

Basically, once Larry King left, CNN just didn’t feel the same to me. So many other news organizations do a better job now. I’m glad I’m not the only one who notices this...

Here in the USA BBC World News via PBS affiliates or through a cable/internet tv service in some places , and to a Certain extent Al-Jazeera English via youtube has taken the Spot for the go to place for International News content along with the AP and Reuters. These outlets probably killed off the idea of CNN international coming here to the USA.

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

How is someone from Seattle aware of the Greaseman?

I was born in Baltimore in the 80’s...and just like any true Baltimoron, my parents packed up and moved to the greener pastures of suburban DC in my 8th grade year.

Fast forward 20 years...I end up in Washington state. Having to explain Nino Greasemanelli to people out here my age is difficult (they’re the computer types around here) If they do know of him, they know of his racially insensitive moment that got him blackballed for a decade.

 

[seatownmedia]

I also know of the Greaseman, and am a Seattle boy. But I also worked in the business most of my working career. I digress.

What I am noticing though is unsettling. The more CNN continues its anti-Trump coverage, the higher the President's poll numbers rise. I mentioned in a post above this is backfiring for CNN. Unfortunately, CNN has no way out of this, as backing off would be a signal that they lost the battle. What a bad situation to be in for a once powerful cable news network. (of which their name was was built). Let's face it, CNN is not doing well right now, and they have no real exit strategy. The ATT/Time Warner merger may be an exit strategy, but for now that is still in the future.

 

[TheBigA]

The ATT/Time Warner merger may be an exit strategy, but for now that is still in the future.

Howard Kurtz has observed (as you did) that media coverage is helping Trump's ratings, which is why Trump does it. The 24/7 news-cycle is wearing people out. We see it in talk radio too. People seem to be mostly worn out. You may be right about AT&T. My experience is they're more conservative than the previous owners. My view is they need to bring in a real journalist to straighten out the kids.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

To think that there are days when I wish this was all a dream and Ted Turner is still running CNN/TBS/TNT (and WCW for that matter). Oh and I almost forgot this radical concept called Headline News! (I consider HLN a completely different channel than the old Headline News...)

Like him or not, he was a man who had an incredible knack for knowing what television viewers want. Ever since TimeWarner bought Turner in the late 90’s, the whole Turner portfolio has gone down the commode (with the exception of TNT, which has arguably actually improved since the Turner era).

CNN International has avoided a lot of the weirdness that has been on the Domestic CNN. Problem is, it’s not really available in the US except for that hour-long slot in the middle of the night on ‘Murican CNN (that may have been replaced by a talking head repeat)

Basically, once Larry King left, CNN just didn’t feel the same to me. So many other news organizations do a better job now. I’m glad I’m not the only one who notices this...

Newsy (Owned By E.w. Scripps) has taken over what Headline News used to be in the 1990's. Other players since then have taken the spot that CNN was once was and Headline News Once was. And as Mentioned earlier CBSN has taken the place that CNN Used to be for national content.

http://www.investigatetv.com/

Raycom has recently started InvestigateTV However thats unknown if Gray will keep this outlet though. Its A documentary outlet for Raycom. Plus you have Newson have taken the place to get a direct feed for breaking news though from various local TV stations around the nation. How CNN will adapt to the current era is yet to be seen. On a Similar note you have NewsmaxTV and a Rumored Sinclair Network have been doing talks that they will grab Pro-Trump Audiences away from Fox News Channel.

 

[Don CT]

I also know of the Greaseman, and am a Seattle boy. But I also worked in the business most of my working career. I digress.

What I am noticing though is unsettling. The more CNN continues its anti-Trump coverage, the higher the President's poll numbers rise. I mentioned in a post above this is backfiring for CNN. Unfortunately, CNN has no way out of this, as backing off would be a signal that they lost the battle. What a bad situation to be in for a once powerful cable news network. (of which their name was was built). Let's face it, CNN is not doing well right now, and they have no real exit strategy. The ATT/Time Warner merger may be an exit strategy, but for now that is still in the future.

Where are these higher poll numbers you speak of? CNN and MSNBC still report news without as much spin as Fox News is doing. Yes they all have partisan hacks on but Fox News is the worst at distorting the facts.

The fact is cable news as a whole is all about ratings and driving content over news coverage.