This Comes As A Shock To No One: CNN No. 1 In Bin Laden Death Coverage

[DToTheJ]

While the venerable cable news network has been struggling for ratings during regular programming, they are usually tops when it comes to breaking news - and the killing of Osama bin Laden was no exception.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar..._Cable_News_Coverage_of_bin_Laden_s_Death.php

 

[ansky212]

In terms of breaking news, I wonder if people turn to CNN because that's the first news network they think of. I know that's true for me. I know CNN is channel 600 on my cable system. I'm not really sure what channels Fox News or MSNBC are on. I would have to search for those.

 

[recto101]

While the venerable cable news network has been struggling for ratings during regular programming, they are usually tops when it comes to breaking news - and the killing of Osama bin Laden was no exception.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar..._Cable_News_Coverage_of_bin_Laden_s_Death.php

Its also unusual is that KTVU the Fox Station in San Francisco went to CNN for breaking news for the Bin Laden death instead of Fox News. Mainly because KTVU is a Cox Station they are free to do that. any other fox stations that went for CNN for breaking news instead of fox news besides KTVU?

 

[justpassingthough]

I think its been pretty well debated and established that both MSNBC and Fox News are "infotainment" channels, where people go to get opinions mixed with news and be entertained, all while not being offended by viewpoints dissimilar from their own.

CNN seems like the natural fit when more than the usual "news" junkies tune in for a breaking story.

 

[LKellerIII]

Through their excellent worldwide coverage, CNN has earned the right to be the "go-to" place when major news is breaking, in my opinion.

CNN would no-doubt be the #1 cable news outlet if serious breaking news were happening all the time...but of course, nobody wishes that given that most major breaking stories are bad news, unlike this time.

Actually, I was half-thinking of checking out one of the Fox News shrieking-heads at night (Hannity, O'Reilly), to see if they could find a way to twist this story to make Obama look bad. They might seriously pull a muscle on this one.

 

[kilamanjero]

While the venerable cable news network has been struggling for ratings during regular programming, they are usually tops when it comes to breaking news - and the killing of Osama bin Laden was no exception.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar..._Cable_News_Coverage_of_bin_Laden_s_Death.php

Its also unusual is that KTVU the Fox Station in San Francisco went to CNN for breaking news for the Bin Laden death instead of Fox News. Mainly because KTVU is a Cox Station they are free to do that. any other fox stations that went for CNN for breaking news instead of fox news besides KTVU?

Former FOX O&O, WBRC, refused to use Fox News when airing the President's announcement either. They stayed in local mode with the coverage. They did used some of CNN's coverage and only small excepts from Fox later on.

 

[formeraa]

CNN really needs to capitalize on the "News" aspect. They are great at breaking news and the ratings show that. What could they do to beef up their everyday offerings?

 

[DToTheJ]

@ansky212 re: "I know CNN is channel 600 on my cable system. I'm not really sure what channels Fox News or MSNBC are on..." You must be a FiOS subscriber, too. :

@LKeller re: "I was half-thinking of checking out one of the Fox News shrieking-heads at night (Hannity, O'Reilly), to see if they could find a way to twist this story to make Obama look bad. They might seriously pull a muscle on this one..." Any worse damage than ?

 

[teevee]

I live in a market with a fox owned station and geraldo rivera hosted the coverage and he basically was as happy as a clam and TIME WARNER RUINED TED TURNER'S CABLE CHANNELS.

 

[Bill_W]

In terms of breaking news, I wonder if people turn to CNN because that's the first news network they think of. I know that's true for me. I know CNN is channel 600 on my cable system. I'm not really sure what channels Fox News or MSNBC are on. I would have to search for those.

Fox News is 618 on FiOS in HD (and 118 in SD).

 

[whit979]

Former FOX O&O, WBRC, refused to use Fox News when airing the President's announcement either. They stayed in local mode with the coverage. They did used some of CNN's coverage and only small excepts from Fox later on.

I watched some of their coverage and I have to say, it's not the most polished broadcast out there but you've got to tip your cap to them for handling that story and the almost-nonstop coverage of the severe weather aftermath all at once.

 

[radiophiler]

I wonder if this contributes to CNN spikes when there is big news:

Fox and MSNBC have their regular, loyal viewers. When big news happens, people who don't usually tune into cable news turn to CNN rather than Fox and MSNBC.

CNN: The go-to cable network for news for people who usually don't watch cable news!

 

[searadiofreak]

I've said this before, but I don't understand why it isn't obvious to CNN. CNN's strength, overwhelmingly, is breaking news. Why not build their image on this platform? (Again, the danger is ANY news might become breaking to CNN, and it might become the boy who cried wolf)...but what have they got to lose?

 

[nomadcowatbk]

While the venerable cable news network has been struggling for ratings during regular programming, they are usually tops when it comes to breaking news - and the killing of Osama bin Laden was no exception.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar..._Cable_News_Coverage_of_bin_Laden_s_Death.php

A lot of people don't even watch the news on any channel except for breaking news. People who have never tuned to Fox News or MSNBC probably know what channel CNN is but don't regularly watch it. The audience MSNBC is after doesn't need someone to tell them what to think like Fox's audience

 

[azumanga]

I've said this before, but I don't understand why it isn't obvious to CNN. CNN's strength, overwhelmingly, is breaking news. Why not build their image on this platform?

After all, when CNN started in 1980, most of its programming is news, with some lifestyle programs sprinkled in here and there.

(Again, the danger is ANY news might become breaking to CNN, and it might become the boy who cried wolf)...

Then again, HLN does have Nancy Grace, where it's breaking news all the time.

 

[nomadcowatbk]

While the venerable cable news network has been struggling for ratings during regular programming, they are usually tops when it comes to breaking news - and the killing of Osama bin Laden was no exception.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar..._Cable_News_Coverage_of_bin_Laden_s_Death.php

Its also unusual is that KTVU the Fox Station in San Francisco went to CNN for breaking news for the Bin Laden death instead of Fox News. Mainly because KTVU is a Cox Station they are free to do that. any other fox stations that went for CNN for breaking news instead of fox news besides KTVU?

Could this be because they're in "Sin Francisco" and Berkley? Did any Fox stations in Red states do this?

 

[nomadcowatbk]

WDAF used when used CNN for national news, even when it was a Fox O&O. Now they mostly use Fox for national news

 

[nomadcowatbk]

After the great affiliate switches of the mid 90s when Fox got the NFC package, a lot of the stations that went to Fox used CNN for national and world news due to Fox's lack of a network news department, this was before Fox News was even launched. Fox doesn't even have a nightly news show but they do have a Sunday morning show and occasional specials

 

[LKellerIII]

While the venerable cable news network has been struggling for ratings during regular programming, they are usually tops when it comes to breaking news - and the killing of Osama bin Laden was no exception.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar..._Cable_News_Coverage_of_bin_Laden_s_Death.php

Its also unusual is that KTVU the Fox Station in San Francisco went to CNN for breaking news for the Bin Laden death instead of Fox News. Mainly because KTVU is a Cox Station they are free to do that. any other fox stations that went for CNN for breaking news instead of fox news besides KTVU?

Could this be because they're in "Sin Francisco" and Berkley? Did any Fox stations in Red states do this?

Get it right, dude. That's "Sin Francisco," and "Berzerkeley" ;D

KTVU does seem to soft-pedal their association with Fox outside of the prime-time programming hours, but I don't think their decision to use CNN has anything to do with the Bay Area's liberal politics. KTVU uses Fox News reports on their daily news shows all the time. I doubt they were worried that the bin Laden coverage would include right-wing pundits - at least not the first night.

KTVU's news programming has been highly respected here, and highly rated - for many years - even before they were a Fox affiliate. They've also used CNN for a long time, and they probably picked it for the bin Laden coverage because they believed it would be superior to Fox News.

 

[brian4]

When I read on Twitter that POTUS was going on live at 7:30 West Coast Time I turned to MSNBC. When I saw a commercial, I went to CNN with Don Lemon and Wolf Blitzer. Turned to Fox & Geraldo was on. Went back to CNN until 8:00 and I stayed with ABC News, which is my network for any national news story.

Sidebar: MSNBC is my default cable news station since the beginning of the year. I try to change it up every couple of months.