Eisner to Host CNBC Prime-time Series [Tuesday show draws a ZERO rating]

MediaWeek ^ | JANUARY 10, 2006 | Anthony Crupi

[Aquinasfan]

Who cares about this article? Skip to the punchline in the comment below...

Michael Eisner is beginning the next stage of his career, signing on with CNBC to host a prime-time series on the business news network.

The bimonthly, one-hour Conversations With Michael Eisner is expected to debut later this year, although no hard premiere date has been set.

While details were sketchy, NBC Universal characterized Eisner’s program as “freewheeling and probing,” adding that the show will “focus on the importance of creativity and innovation in all pursuits, from business to politics to entertainment.”

The show will be produced at NBCU’s headquarters at 30 Rock, making it a sort of homecoming for Eisner, who began his TV career in the building as a page for NBC’s Tonight Show back in the ’60s.

Eisner, who had served as CEO of The Walt Disney Co. for 21 years, is only the latest high-profile personality to take a stab at helming a show for CNBC. Former New Yorker publisher Tina Brown hosted a short-lived CNBC talk show, Topic A with Tina Brown, which was canceled in May 2005 because of dismal ratings. Deutsch Inc. founder Donny Deutsch currently hosts his own 10 p.m. talker on the net, and frenetic hedge fund owner Jim Kramer is a fixture in the 6 p.m. slot.

After leaving Disney at the tail end of September, Eisner took a temporary gig as a guest host on PBS’ Charlie Rose Show.

[Aquinasfan]

I heard on Fox and Friends that his show drew a zero-rating in its first episode. Apparently the lead-in program had 500,000 viewers. More than 400,000 disappeared before Eisner's show started. He had less than 100,000 people in his audience.

"Ha, ha!" --Nelson

[gov_bean_ counter]

What's the big deal. He is just going from one Micky Mouse organization to another.