Posted on 09/16/2004 8:14:29 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever
Edited on 09/16/2004 8:57:41 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Just the title...
MORE INFO
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THU SEPT 16, 2004 11:42:09 ET XXXXX
CBS EXECS CONCERN OVER VIEWERSHIP PLUNGE; RATHER RATINGS FADE IN MAJOR MARKETS
CBS executives on both coasts have become concerned in recent days that Dan Rather's EVENING NEWS broadcast has plunged in the ratings since the anchor presented questionable documents about Bush's National Guard service.
NIELSEN numbers released this week show Rather fading and trailing his rivals in every Top 10 city, other than San Francisco, with audience margins in some cities running more than 6 to 1 against CBS!
Executives fear many voters inclined to vote for Bush are now switching off Rather.
"The audience appears to becoming polarized," a top CBS source said from LOS ANGELES on Thursday. "Rightly or wrongly, we're being perceived as 'anti-Bush,' which I do not think is fair to Dan, who is a fine journalist... of course we do not like to see the ratings coming back the way they are this week."
In Philadelphia, the nation's #4 market, Rather pulled a 2.6 rating/5 share on Tuesday night against ABC's 13.3 rating/23 share and NBC's 4.0/7.
In Chicago, Rather hit a 2.3/5 to ABC's 9.2/20.
CBS trailed ABC by more than 2 to 1 in Los Angeles.
And in the nation's top market, New York, Rather finished not only behind NBC NIGHTLY NEWS and ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT -- but also pulled less audience than reruns of the SIMPSONS, WILL & GRACE and KING OF QUEENS.
Rather finished dead last in New York during the 6:30 pm timeslot among all broadcast channels tracked by NIELSEN on Tuesday.
Developing...
Don't worry, the money is really in the account.
Wow, thanks for the update!
I will almost garuntee they sent the corporate jet out for her and put her in their nice suite. Making her feel VERY obligated to play nice with them.
Houston CBS Radio Affiliate 950KPRC Dumps Rather May Cancel CBS Contract
I have nothing left to do to CBS. I turned off all the networks about 15 years ago.
It started over the news but I won't watch any of their programing anymore.
I'd get rid of cable but I need it to get Fox News and South Park.
bump
Take another look. John Roberts definitely is right up there with Rather when it comes to buying this fantasy they're trying to spin.
Whether it's against the "Bush family" or just George W. Bush, Roberts is not fair or evenhanded when it comes to the National Guard story.
I often hark back to that outrageous press briefing back in February over this issue. The reporters behaved like snarling wild hyenas, and John Roberts led the pack. It is beyond all reason and real evidence. They just want this story to be true so they act as if it is.
Besides the pressure from sponsors we need to get the affiliates to presure them. This can be done by writing to the affiliate and forcing the affiliate to place the letter in their public record for license renewal.
I posted the following atand Freepers should consider doing similar contacts to the affiliates: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1217588/posts
Affiliate name, address, etc
Dear Sirs:
Given that CBS has not promptly and publicly retracted apparent false testimony and documents about the President of the United States, while our country is at war, and while our soldiers are in harm's way; it is now apparent possible falsehoods included in CBS network news programs broadcast by your station, [your cbs affiliate name], are not in the public interest.
It appears that [your cbs affiliate name] by not issuing a statement of disagreement with CBS Network and Dan Rather, is allowing a possible falsehood to be propagated in a potential effort propagandize and defraud the public, or by omission is allowing such falsehoods as presented by the CBS Network and Dan Rather to continue as fact. Dan Rather has said in different ways in several broadcasts over the years on many subjects "even the possibility that there are improprieties warrants further serious investigation." In this case I agree with Mr. Rather.
Now that there is significant doubt as to the authenticity of the documents (potentially forgeries of government documents) shown, and questionable statements made by persons then presented by CBS (including Dan Rather and other CBS personnel), I feel it is in the public interest that this issue be given highest priority by your station. Since CBS, CBS spokespeople, and particularly Dan Rather have stalled and evaded on multiple questions about the documents and persons interviewed I feel it is incumbent upon [your cbs affiliate name} as the local affiliate to properly and independently verify the veracity the documents, witnesses, and statements made. Since the possibility that the "evidence" presented to date is deliberately false I believe not investigating the aforementioned material and persons would be a betrayal of the local public trust [your cbs affiliate name]
Therefore, Dan Rather’s now seemingly falsified military documents, and a complete record of [your cbs affiliate name] independent investigative efforts into this manner should be made part of it's operating record. Also if such items are shown to be falsehoods, forgeries, deceptive presentations, or deliberate fraud then [your cbs affiliate name] positive, corrective actions - or lack there-of must be considered when [your cbs affiliate name] license is up for renewal.
I therefore respectfully request prompt attention to this matter with the investigation and findings along with this letter be included in the stations permanent public file particularly for review at the next license renewal cycle.
CC: Roy Stewart Chief,
Office of Broadcast License Policy
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Roy.Stewart@fcc.gov
I see. Yes, she seemed like a very prepared witness in a trial. Just too overt, too eager, as was Rather. But of course the nuances fly right over the Kool-Aid crowd's collective heads.
LOL!! I love that picture!
The PJ army is out in RAGE!
I agree. No telling how the MSM is going to strike back against us. I am guessing, as with all things, it will be with some form of judicial tyrany.
Happy to be wrong :)
Thank you. Fabulous article.
Rather lied NOW Kerry's Fried
CBS
See BS, hear BS, speak BS
Visit the CBS Take Action Site!
List of sponsors, emails, and more...
Make your voice heard here, where it hurt$.
Source???
I agree. I think Bush supporters turned off the blatantly bias CBS Evening News a long time ago. This is the "undecideds" turning off CBS. The whackado liberals are the remaining viewers (San Fran)
This story would be better if it had any statistics to back up the alleged "plunge." Unless I'm mistaken, CBS and Rather have been mired in last place for a very long time.
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.