Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why Fox News Is Clobbering the Competition
NewsMax ^ | 9/3/04 | Paul McGuire

Posted on 09/02/2004 7:56:50 PM PDT by wagglebee

For the first time in the history of television, a cable news network had more viewers than the "big three" in covering an event. Fox News Channel delivered unprecedented and historic numbers for Tuesday night's coverage of the Republican National Convention.

According to the ratings, Fox News had 5.2 million viewers; NBC, 5.1 million; CBS, 4.4 million; ABC, 4.3 million; MSNBC, 1.6 million and CNN, 1.5 million.

The obvious question is why has a cable news network like Fox been able to attract more viewers than NBC, ABC and CBS? The networks have a clear advantage because they are in more households in America and are not restricted to cable.

The answer is one that their competition simply does not want to hear, and that is that Fox News is “fair and balanced” and the American public knows it!

I happened to be channel surfing immediately after the Republican convention was over on Wednesday night. Democratic Sen. Zell Miller had delivered the keynote address, a harsh denunciation of John Kerry and the Democratic Party. On the other channels the news anchors and reporters were visibly upset by what they had heard. In fact, they were just plain angry.

Their liberal bias was not even disguised – it was “in your face”! The talking heads on the other cable channels and networks kept saying over and over: “This is the angriest convention in the history of politics. Zell Miller gave the angriest speech I have ever heard in American politics!”

The reality was that the liberal networks were in a rage that the message of the Republican convention was effective. They felt threatened and intimidated, and it showed on their faces. So much for “fair and balanced.”

Yet on Fox News the talking heads Bill O’Reilly, Greta Van Susteren and Sean Hannity all looked calm and composed, even when interviewing liberal politicians and representatives of liberal organizations. There was no bias, no angst – they simply reported it like it was.

Obviously, America sensed that and that’s why Fox pulled in 5.2 million viewers.

Chris Matthews of MSNBC, who masquerades as objective, is always showing his hand. Matthews asked Zell Miller something to the effect of “Do you really think John Kerry is going to defend the nation with spitballs?” Zell answered with something like “It was a metaphor. Do you know what a metaphor is?” Would Matthews have asked that kind of tough question of John Kerry?

Peter Jennings had to remind everyone before Zell’s speech that the senator was retiring. Why the editorial? Why the dig? Why not just air the speech as Fox News did, without all the spin and hype?

The reason Fox News' audience is growing is because the network is living up to its promise of “fair and balanced.” In any other industry besides television news the CEOs and executives would hold themselves accountable and examine why they are losing market share to their competition. Then they would immediately make the necessary changes to win back that market share.

But in the television news business it seems you have entire networks willing to go down because of their ideology. In effect, it doesn’t matter what their customers want. They are not willing to respond to the marketplace even if it means losing ratings and viewers.

When you hear the wrath the other networks have toward Fox News, it comes down to one word: jealousy. Fox News has what they wish they had – loyalty and respect from their viewers. No wonder Fox News is growing.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cablenews; foxnews; foxnewsratings; mainstreammedia; mediabias; rncconvention
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last
With notable exceptions, Fox News isn't really that conservative. The appeal is that they're not so overwhelmingly liberal.
1 posted on 09/02/2004 7:56:50 PM PDT by wagglebee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

Fox won again last night and tonight will make it a hat trick!


2 posted on 09/02/2004 7:58:50 PM PDT by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

< |:)~

3 posted on 09/02/2004 7:59:59 PM PDT by martin_fierro (A v v n c v l v s M a x i m v s)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

I seem to remember that CNN and MSNBC did well during the Demorat convention. I think it is a reflection of whose supporters have something to watch.


4 posted on 09/02/2004 8:00:16 PM PDT by Ahban (I doubt they are monitoring FR, but loose lips and all of that)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ahban

I know the RATS are scared by virtue of the vociferous reaction to Zell's speech. GO W!!!


5 posted on 09/02/2004 8:02:25 PM PDT by chris1 ("Make the other guy die for his country" - Gen. George S. Patton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

In all fairness, during the Dem convention CNN was ahead. It's only natural that Republicans are going to watch Fox during our Convention. Agree?


6 posted on 09/02/2004 8:04:51 PM PDT by Hildy (John Edwards is to Dick Cheney what Potsie was to the Fonz.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ahban

But the total numbers were 4 million less.


7 posted on 09/02/2004 8:07:00 PM PDT by TheGeezer (If only I had skin as thick as Ann Coulter, and but half her intelligence...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Hildy
In all fairness, during the Dem convention CNN was ahead

CNN was ahead of Fox, but not the alphabets. Tuesday and Last night CNN came in DEAD LAST. Even PMSNBC beat CNN the past two nights! That is just embarassing.

8 posted on 09/02/2004 8:08:58 PM PDT by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Hildy

But CNN's numbers were nowhere near the numbers that Fox is getting. Personally, if I'm just watching a speech, I go to the channel with the best picture whatever it is, it's the "commentary" and interview numbers that make this huge.


9 posted on 09/02/2004 8:09:27 PM PDT by wagglebee (Benedict Arnold was for American independence before he was against it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Hildy
In all fairness, during the Dem convention CNN was ahead. It's only natural that Republicans are going to watch Fox during our Convention. Agree?

Yup. People will go where they feel comfortable and their beliefs aren't belittled or challenged.

10 posted on 09/02/2004 8:16:00 PM PDT by randog (What the....?!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

I suppose you are correct--I got a bit upset with them for some things the other night but after looking at the competition I quickly came back. The other networks are complete trash.


11 posted on 09/02/2004 8:18:08 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

I just finished watching Bush's speech on FNC. A couple of times I switched to KCBS to see if they were broadcasting it. They were but there was no audio. I guess KCBS doesn't have any money left for maintenance!


12 posted on 09/02/2004 8:20:53 PM PDT by gorebegone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

What competition?


13 posted on 09/02/2004 8:21:03 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative (Do not remove this tag under penalty of law.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

just as RUSH said today about voters this election:

IT"S the Reagan Democrats and conservatives watching FOX.


14 posted on 09/02/2004 8:26:46 PM PDT by wvromania (CHALLENGE KERRY TO GO TO IRAQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Ahban

I agree.


15 posted on 09/02/2004 8:42:47 PM PDT by elfman2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee
Do you really think John Kerry is going to defend the nation with spitballs?” Zell answered with something like “It was a metaphor. Do you know what a metaphor is?” Would Matthews have asked that kind of tough question of John Kerry?

With all due respect to the author,it was not a tough question. It was a stupid question to suggest that Miller intended the "spitball" comment to be taken literally.

16 posted on 09/02/2004 8:45:32 PM PDT by luvbach1 (President Bush is conservative only when compared with the commies allied against him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee
Chris Matthews of MSNBC, who masquerades as objective, is always showing his hand. Matthews asked Zell Miller something to the effect of “Do you really think John Kerry is going to defend the nation with spitballs?” Zell answered with something like “It was a metaphor. Do you know what a metaphor is?”

Actually, it was hyperbole - but nevermind! The speech was masterful.

BTW, his delivery of the spitball line reminded me of an old time humorist who told offbeat stories of bucolic life. One had the punchline, "No ma'am! Hot steel balls!"

17 posted on 09/02/2004 8:50:44 PM PDT by dr_lew
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: luvbach1

And it is a further wonder that Fox is not available in many areas that the omnipresent CNN has them locked out of.


18 posted on 09/02/2004 8:51:31 PM PDT by Ingtar (Understanding is a three-edged sword : your side, my side, and the truth in between ." -- Kosh)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: wagglebee

Let's see:

Fox gets 5.2 million people to watch and ABCNNBCBS gets 16.9 million. Looks to me that Fox came in last.


19 posted on 09/02/2004 8:54:04 PM PDT by doblin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hildy

Sort of. I watched C-Span but yes, conservatives are more likely to watch Fox and Libs watch CNN> Though quite a few here like watching Chris make a fool of himself. LOL

BUT, CNN didn't beat the Alphabets in coverege. The Aplhabets are FREE TV. FOX DID!! Huge upset has just occured here!!

Now I have complaints with Fox but I love that OLD media is getting it's butt kicked.


20 posted on 09/02/2004 8:54:45 PM PDT by Soul Seeker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson