CNN finishes 4th In Election Coverage

[DodgerKing]

Wake Up Call: CNN’s Election Coverage Finishes Fourth

by Steve Krakauer | 4:38 pm, November 4th, 2009


http://images.mediaite.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/shep_11-4.JPG (http://images.mediaite.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/shep_11-4.JPG)Highlighting even further the ratings erosion (http://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnn-closes-out-october-off-the-list-of-top-30-cable-channels/) at CNN in prime time, the “Most Trusted Name in News” finished in fourth place among cable news outlets during election coverage last night.
Fox News was #1 by a mile, followed by MSNBC, then CNN sister network HLN and CNN in 4th place. They were fourth in both total viewers and the A25-54 demographic.
CNN’s 4th place finish last night was only made more glaring because last year’s election coverage on the network was their best night of all time (http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/cnn_wins_cable_election_night_with_best_night_ever _99785.asp). They didn’t just have more viewers than every other cable news network last year – it was the most of all time.
Here’s the ratings breakdown in prime time last night:
FNC: 4,043,000 in total viewers (1,130,000 in A25-54)
MSNBC: 974,000 in total viewers (308,000 in A25-54)
HLN: 842,000 in total viewers (341,000 in A25-54)
CNN: 826,000 in total viewers (227,000 in A25-54)

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/wake-up-call-cnns-election-coverage-finishes-fourth/

[DodgerKing]

FNC had more viewers than all of the other 3 combined.

[msmith198025]

Not suprised, it is nothing new. I am sure there will be a "reason" though

[DodgerKing]

Not suprised, it is nothing new. I am sure there will be a "reason" though
Because they reported fake results since they are not a real news network.

:making-fun-054:

[Derwin0]

Because they reported fake results since they are not a real news network.
Nope, that would be "fake but accurate" CBS ;)

[HDRoberts]

I'll tell you why. Because it is an off-year election. Only 3 real races of interest, 2 governorships and an empty House seat. It is all about local issues, and to hear about who won what locally, you turn to your local news. ONLY at Fox News was this a "referendum" on Obama, and thus only Fox News viewers cared enough to turn in to the national news.

[Skyhi]

I'll tell you why. Because it is an off-year election. Only 3 real races of interest, 2 governorships and an empty House seat. It is all about local issues, and to hear about who won what locally, you turn to your local news. ONLY at Fox News was this a "referendum" on Obama, and thus only Fox News viewers cared enough to turn in to the national news.
Bingo! On election night, I watched the Cavs & checked the net periodically for local results. I certainly wasn't glued to CNN, Fox, or MSNBC to see which candidate pulled off a victory in the NJ and VA governors race.

[msmith198025]

I'll tell you why. Because it is an off-year election. Only 3 real races of interest, 2 governorships and an empty House seat. It is all about local issues, and to hear about who won what locally, you turn to your local news. ONLY at Fox News was this a "referendum" on Obama, and thus only Fox News viewers cared enough to turn in to the national news.

I knew it was something

[Skyhi]

Are these numbers different from non-election night coverage? Fox News attracts an older demographic who actually watch talking heads during prime time. Younger people (esp. those with kids) are doing/watching other things between 8-10PM.

[DodgerKing]

I knew it was something
I wonder what the excuse is all of the other 364 days of the year?

[Skyhi]

I wonder what the excuse is all of the other 364 days of the year?
See above. :)

[DodgerKing]

Are these numbers different from non-election night coverage? Fox News attracts an older demographic who actually watch talking heads during prime time. Younger people (esp. those with kids) are doing/watching other things between 8-10PM.
You have to remember, it is only between 8 and 10 on the east coast.

[Skyhi]

You have to remember, it is only between 8 and 10 on the east coast.

Older people (who tend to be more conservative) are able to watch talking heads between 5-7PM on the west coast. Younger people (esp. those with kids) are not.

[HDRoberts]

Well, I imagine between 5 and 7 on the west coast, people are eating dinner, taking care of the kids, and what not during that time. Again, not watching talking heads, unless they are old, and eat dinner at 4:30.

Interesting none of you are commenting that once bottom of the barrel MSNBC was number 2.

[fallout2600]

Interesting none of you are commenting that once bottom of the barrel MSNBC was number 2.

Maybe because no one really cares what the ratings are, but it is great watching you guys defend CNN.... :)

[Skyhi]

Well, I imagine between 5 and 7 on the west coast, people are eating dinner, taking care of the kids, and what not during that time. Again, not watching talking heads, unless they are old, and eat dinner at 4:30.

Interesting none of you are commenting that once bottom of the barrel MSNBC was number 2.
The old people on the West coast eat their TV dinners in the living room while watching Hannity. During commercial breaks, they take their medicare subsidized medication and discuss how they're going to get their country back.

[DodgerKing]

Well, I imagine between 5 and 7 on the west coast, people are eating dinner, taking care of the kids, and what not during that time. Again, not watching talking heads, unless they are old, and eat dinner at 4:30.

Interesting none of you are commenting that once bottom of the barrel MSNBC was number 2.
Only by default. They did not improve much on their ratings. It is just CNN ratings have gone down.

[HDRoberts]

The old people on the West coast eat their TV dinners in the living room while watching Hannity. During commercial breaks, they take their medicare subsidized medication and discuss how they're going to get their country back.

:free-happy-smileys-:free-happy-smileys-

[Skyhi]

Maybe because no one really cares what the ratings are, but it is great watching you guys defend CNN.... :)
I'm not defending CNN...I'm just speculating why the rating are the way they are. :) If I'm able to watch cable "news" during primetime, I don't tune to CNN because they actually provide news - - - something I get elsewhere. I'll tune to O'Reilly or Olberman instead for some entertainment.

[HDRoberts]

I'm not defending CNN, I'm criticizing your favorite, Fox News.:)

[fallout2600]

That got a response...j/k...

Honestly, the ratings make sense. You got the fringe right watching Fox and the fringe left watching MSNBC. The folks in the middle have better things to do and probably don't watch the news...

[msmith198025]

I dont consider myself fringe right or left, yet I turn them both on every evening.

[Skyhi]

I dont consider myself fringe right or left, yet I turn them both on every evening.
How old is your daughter again? Enjoy it now. :)

[msmith198025]

How old is your daughter again? Enjoy it now. :)

She is two, and its funny. She will come into the bedroom and climb on the bed while I am watching. I can point and ask, who is that. She can name most all of em. Genn Bek, Pesident Boma. Its cute

[fallout2600]

I dont consider myself fringe right or left, yet I turn them both on every evening.

Then you are truly "Fair and Balanced" :)

[msmith198025]

Then you are truly "Fair and Balanced" :)

I try;)

[stevenl]

Interesting one news company spends millions and millions on infield reporters all over the globe.. While another lets the AP do all the news while they spend millions and millions on entertainment shows.. Ill let you all figure out whos who.

[Blackhitachi]

The old people on the West coast eat their TV dinners in the living room while watching Hannity. During commercial breaks, they take their medicare subsidized medication and discuss how they're going to get their country back.:thumbup::free-happy-smileys-:free-happy-smileys-:free-happy-smileys- Not only that i am too busy cooking and helping with homework! When i do watch the news my kids are with me and can name a lot of the talking heads on each on the networks. Oh yea my oldest thinks o Reilly and beck are poopy heads! I have to AGREE!!