CBSNEWS EXECS CONCERN OVER VIEWERSHIP PLUNGE; RATHER RATINGS FADE IN MAJOR MARKETS

The Drudge Report ^ | 9/16/2004 | Matt Drudge

[Rutles4Ever]

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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...

[John123]

"Rightly or wrongly, we're being perceived as 'anti-Bush,' which I do not think is fair to Dan, who is a fine journalist.

Are we not on the same planet? Dan has been a virulent critic of President Bush for quite some time. OF COURSE CBS News is perceived as anti-Bush!

[GeorgiaYankee]

I sent an email to the scams@cbsnews.com . I've also sent a few emails to the Evening News evening@cbsnews.com and 60 Minutes II 60II@cbsnews.com

Here's the latest:

Dear Former Journalists:
 
Did the interview with the secretary save you. I don't think so!
 
She says the memos are "fake, but accurate." What a great idea for a new tagline for your promos. "CBS News: Fake but Accurate" Yeah, keep going. Your credibility and audience are almost gone, go ahead and finish the job!
 
Here's a sample 5-10 second promo: "For a fraudulent re-creation of the days events watch the CBS Evening News woth Dan Rather. CBS News: FAKE BUT ACCURATE."
 
Good luck in your future careers. Start practicing now "Would you like fries with that?"

Not in the email. I think James Lileks raised this point: Why didn't CBS News find the secretary and interview her BEFORE putting the fake memos on the air? Are they lazy, incompetent, or both? Oh, I left out the obvious option BIASED!

[Terabitten]

I just emailed the local CBS affiliate in Columbus, Georgia (Ft. Benning, Home of the Infantry bump!)

Here's the text:

Please be advised that due to your continuing support of Dan Rather, I will no longer watch Channel 3, WRBL, or support your advertisers.

Due to his personal bias, Mr. Rather blatantly attempted to influence the results of the Presidential election. I find this despicable. CBS' use of obviously forged documents calls into question their credibility as a news agency, and your continued support of CBS calls into question your own credibility.

[Yaelle]

Do ya think that Dandy Dan would mind if his paycheck was forged ?

ROFL! "We wanted to pay you. The sentiment in our filling out this bogus check is REAL, which means the PAY is REAL. You just can't cash it."

[samtheman]

God bless the bloggers, and may they remain ever vigilant.

Yes. God bless them. And while you're blessing them, think of this:

This whole mad rush to "prove" that Bush was somehow "shirking duty" in the National Guard was in direct response to what these fine veterans did. God bless them, too.

[SwinneySwitch]

San FranSicko! I wondered where Cap'n Dan was going after he was fired. Certainly don't want him back in Texas. Thought he might have to move to france!

[Teacher317]

What a great idea for a new tagline for your promos.
"CBS News: Fake but Accurate"

I nominate this for post of the week.

[USA_Soccer]

No more CSI or Raymond for me.

[rwfromkansas]

I did not see if it aired in Wichita.

But, I did e-mail the affiliate GM (I met her when she was the news director...really nice lady) and she passed my comments on to New York.

[rwfromkansas]

The GM also said they are letting NY know about all the complaints.

[petercooper]

CBS News: FAKE, BUT ACCURATE

[hiredhand]

Well said!

[rwfromkansas]

The local GM (I met her in person during a station visit once) said she is passing comments on to the network. I made it clear I am not going to punish them for national stuff, but did say that though it is not always fair, network news does reflect on the affiliate. She agreed and said they are letting CBS know about this situation.

[freakboy]

"Are those documents authentic, as experts consulted by CBS News continue to maintain? Or were they forgeries or re-creations, as Knox and many others believe? "

--60 Minutes II website

Who are these experts that continue to maintain that the documents are authentic? Certainly not any of those that CBS has presented so far.

Also, notice that CBS doesn't acknowledge that many experts believe that they are forgeries, instead using the term "many others". Furthermore, CBS is now trying to shift from using the word "forgeries" to using the term "recreations". What is the difference? If they are presented as originals (including a signature), they are forgeries.

[GeorgiaYankee]

MORE New Slogans for CBS News promos

CBS News: FORGING AHEAD

CBS News: FAKE, BUT ACCURATE

CBS News: We Cut and Paste, We Decide, You Drink the Koolaid

DAN RATHER: WOULD YOU BUY A USED MEMO FROM THIS MAN?


In a related development, CBS has announced a change in format for 60 Minutes II, which will become a Game Show where contestants will try to distinguish between real and forged documents!

[AZ Rangers Wifey]

Re: "If he does invade your home, I hope you have a gun and live in Texas".

I think Dan had rather (pun intended) find an old lady who is not a gun toting RIGHT WING NUT JOB in her pj's to break in on! Don't you worry, we could settle his hash if he comes in without a proper invite!
Wifey ;-)

[nightdriver]

"Rightly or wrongly, we're being perceived as 'anti-Bush,' which I do not think is fair to Dan, who is a fine journalist..."

You may think he is, if you like, but it's only your opinion.

[Politicalities]

At the time I posted my reply, there were no ratings, just a big headline on Drudge without a link. Like I said in a later post, I'm very happy to have been wrong.

[MeekOneGOP]

hahahaaa !

I bet CBS's email inboxes and faxes are burning up!!

I couldn't believe that LAME thing with that 86 year-old lady last night.
Ra^ther is SOooo biased!

Doing my very best Natalie Maines impersonation:

Just so you'll know, I'm ashamed
that Dan Ra^ther is from Texas!

[Terpfen]

"True, what right thinking person would watch any of the Alphabets??"

The same people who would watch Chris Matthews: mainly conservatives. We make up a fair chunk of the news networks' audience, simply because there are too many conservatives who think they have to sit there and have their intelligence and beliefs insulted by some liberal posing as a journalist. I guarantee you that if every conservative were to stop watching these people, ratings would collapse. But that won't happen--we'll continue to see vanities that will start off like this: "I was watching Hardball and Matthews really makes my blood boil. He was interviewing..."