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MSNBC: Millions Shun Network Baksetcase
Townhall.com ^ | February 22, 2015 | Jeff Crouere

Posted on 02/22/2015 9:34:38 AM PST by Kaslin

In a country of 330 million Americans, only 11, 000 people in the key 25-54 year old demographic were watching the afternoon programming on the disaster known as MSNBC in the last rating period. These horrific ratings were the lowest registered by the network in a decade. It was not much better at the other time periods for the early January ratings for the broadcast day on MSNBC averaged only 55,000 viewers.

Compared to last year, total viewership on MSNBC is down 20 percent in the daytime and 23 percent in prime time. The yearly declines are even greater in the key 25-54 year old demographic, the one coveted by advertisers.

While the MSNBC audience is tanking, the viewership on Fox News is strong. In the afternoon, 20X more people are watching Fox News than MSNBC. This means that Fox is the unquestioned cable news giant.

It is so bad for MSNBC that even the controversial start-up network Al-Jazeera had twice as many afternoon viewers. When a network is bested by a competitor known for providing sympathetic coverage to radical Islamists it is time for a programming change.

With plummeting ratings, it was no surprise that MSNBC announced this week the cancellation of two afternoon programs. The shows airing from 1-3 pm Eastern, “Ronan Farrow Daily” and “The Reid Report,” will be cancelled at the end of the month. The changes are part of MSNBC President Phil Griffin’s plan to move toward a “more news focused line-up.” However, such promises ring hollow as the network features a prime time line-up composed exclusively of liberals.

If Griffin wants to grow his audience he should try more balanced programming. The two cancelled programs were hosted by hard core liberals Ronan Farrow and Joy Ann Reid. They will be replaced by Thomas Roberts who will host a two hour program. Unfortunately, Roberts is another liberal who had previously failed in an earlier attempt to host a show.

Currently, MSNBC is officially irrelevant with ratings so low that local community access programs undoubtedly have better audience numbers. Clearly, viewers are shunning the inexperienced and liberal hosts offered by the network. For example, Ronan Farrow was a youngster hired due to his celebrity status. His mother is Mia Farrow, an actress, and his biological father is reportedly Frank Sinatra. Sadly for Farrow his blue eyes were not enough to keep his program on the air.

Farrow had no business hosting any serious show, but MSNBC is the same network that has given programs to the likes of Andrea Mitchell, Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow, and Rev. Al Sharpton. In America today, few people want to watch leftists apologize for an unpopular President. It should be no surprise that MSNBC is suffering the same fate as Air America, the doomed liberal talk radio network.

Viewers who want liberal programming have options. They can watch CNN, which is not so obvious, or watch a variety of left wing commentators on Fox or tune in to evening news programs on the broadcast networks. News bulletin: Brian Williams and his evening news colleagues are card carrying liberals.

The demise of MSNBC proves again that America is not a liberal nation. The country is not clamoring for liberal anchors pontificating for more government programs, higher taxes, and climate change legislation. Americans want fair and balanced journalism, which is provided by Fox News, and why they are the cable news leader.

To be relevant again, MSNBC should cancel its entire programming schedule. The network should start fresh with a clean slate of hosts. Such a move is not a gamble for anyone who can read a teleprompter can do a better job than Rev. Al Sharpton.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: alsharpton; demagogicparty; memebuilding; msnbc; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills
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To: Lady Heron
If Griffin really wanted to grow his audience he would go full on conservative as middle of the road is covered with Fox and all the other networks have the liberal view covered. If you want a strong audience cover the ground not covered already.

I've been saying that for years. That would also take a significant chunk out of just Fox with none of his liberal competitors touched.

41 posted on 02/22/2015 11:49:13 AM PST by chopperman
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To: Kaslin

No business would stay in business doing this. I bet that the democrats are funneling money over the years to the owners of nbc to keep the propaganda going.


42 posted on 02/22/2015 12:42:50 PM PST by minnesota_bound
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To: jjotto
MSNBC is just a little campaign contribution to the DNC from GE and Comcast.

Exactly. They aren't looking to succeed or make any profit. It is a donated 2/47 political commercial for the left. Instead of donating cash, they donate left-wing political propaganda.... no limit, and they can coordinate with the left-wing politicians and candidates as much as they want.

43 posted on 02/22/2015 2:16:53 PM PST by Tamzee (Man is not free unless government is limited. ~~~ Ronald Reagan)
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To: MCF

You don’t understand. There is no need for profit at all.

MSNBC is owned by the stunningly profitable Comcast, a regime affiliate.

It exists to provide talking points to the operatives.


44 posted on 02/22/2015 2:18:27 PM PST by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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To: minnesota_bound

It’s owned by regime affiliate Comcast.

The cable company that makes stunning profits ($7b/yr) via the locked-in service areas it has via payoffs to Democrat politicians.

A very cozy round robin relationship.


45 posted on 02/22/2015 2:21:06 PM PST by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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To: Kaslin

11,000 ‘people’ include the 10,999 bars and hotel lounges that keep MSNBC on 24 hours a day in D.C..


46 posted on 02/22/2015 4:27:22 PM PST by Organic Panic
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To: dfwgator
 photo 6d0df8fd-7eae-4e21-b95a-62acf6a249b8_zpsq9kp8m46.jpg
47 posted on 02/22/2015 4:41:55 PM PST by timestax (American Media = Domestic Enemy)
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To: Kaslin

Maybe not, but the lack of it here sure brought a smile to my face on otherwise shitty day.


48 posted on 02/22/2015 7:02:57 PM PST by Tupelo (I feel more like Philip Nolan by the day)
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To: be-baw
Yeah, and CNN needs to get rid of Wulf Blitzer....for pete's sake, he's been there forever.
49 posted on 02/23/2015 2:21:33 PM PST by timestax (American Media = Domestic Enemy)
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To: timestax

As Trump said one day when he was making Wulf Blister look like the idiot he is, “don’t worry Wulf, there’s only 40,000 people watching this, nobody will see it”


50 posted on 02/23/2015 2:23:05 PM PST by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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