Posted on 05/06/2005 4:50:08 PM PDT by abb
CNBC Pulls Tina Brown Show
By John M. Higgins -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/6/2005 4:25:00 PM
The subterranean ratings of Topic A with Tina Brown have finally prompted CNBC to pull the weekly interview show.
A memo sent to CNBC employees late Friday said that Brown was leaving the show to work on a book on the legacy of Princess Diana.
But Brown's ratings tell a more compelling story. Last Sunday, Topic A's prime time airing managed to draw just 4,000 souls in the key news demo, adults 25-54. Total viewership reached just 26,000.
The weekly show debuted in February 2004, hinging on the ability of Brown -- former editor of Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Talk magazines -- to secure high-profile guests. She got the guests, but never the ratings. The show will wrap up May 29.
Here's the memo from CNBC's new president, Mark Hoffman:
"As many of you may be aware, our very own Tina Brown has recently secured a major book deal with Doubleday to write about the legacy of Princess Diana. The book is set to be published in 2007, to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Princess' death.
This book will be a major undertaking for Tina. She is under a very tight deadline and will be required to travel frequently to London. Therefore, she has asked me if she could relinquish her "Topic A" duties to focus on the book. I have much respect for Tina and understand the amount of time she will need to dedicate to her new project, so I am announcing to all of you that the last episode of "Topic A" will air on Sunday, May 29.
Though I have only personally worked with Tina and her show unit a short time, I have always been very impressed with the high quality of guests that they secured and the engaging conversation that Tina hosted week after week. Tony Blair, Sumner Redstone, Sen. John McCain, Les Moonves, Annette Bening and George Clooney are just a few of those who made time to speak with Tina.
I ask that you join me in thanking Tina and the entire "Topic A" team for all of their hard work and tireless dedication. They have done great work and I know that we all wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors.
Mark
I must confess that I am not that familiar with a lot of her writing and so should not have remarked on its quality. What little I have read struck me as graceful and witty, but don't think it was about politics or religion.
I'm going to copy your description of good writing. Sometimes I try too hard to stay polite in some of my posts and wind up being sarcastic and disagreeable. I don't think I'm arch or kittenish like Maureen Dowd. I really hate that. Thanks. b.
You're none of those things. I think you're a nice person. When I grow up, I want to be just like you. :-)
This is worse ratings than McEnroe...and I did not think that was possible. CNBC needs to hire me...I will put them on the radar...
ewww
That is so unfair to harlots.
You can almost hear her saying, "Bud - weiser - Bud - weiser."
Watched the show for a couple of minutes. When they continued to talk about how much Bush was an idiot without rebuttal, I changed stations. Sounded like a liberal hate fest directed at Bush. I want balance. I want both sides presented.
The legacy of Dianah can be summed in one word....looser.
With luck, when you grow up you will be just like you. That's the best. b
How many of those 4000 were a TV left on. Or do dogs and cats count as viewers?
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