MSNBC to drop Saturday afternoon newscasts…

Inside Cable News ^ | 6/29/07

[LdSentinal]

Starting this weekend, MSNBC will drop its 12-4 newscast on Saturdays in favor of taped programming. There was a rumor circulating that was just a test run but that is apparently not the case. I hear it’s long term.

The network had originally added the 12-4pm shift with Contessa Brewer back at the end of 2005. The network dropped its Sunday 12-4 newscast due to ratings last December. When Norah O’Donnell went on maternity leave and Alison Stewart left the network and The Most was cancelled, Brewer was moved to M-Fr daytime and a group of subs anchored the Saturday afternoon newscast. Now that too is going away. Again, apparently, ratings are the issue.

MSNBC would point out that it is ready to handle any breaking news that should happen and cut in if necessary as they did last Saturday when it reported the discovery of Jessie Davis’ body. But the fact remains that MSNBC’s competition will have regularly scheduled live newscasts throughout various periods in the afternoon and evening and MSNBC won’t.

[samadams2000]

Yeah more dead white girl murder mysteries!!!!

[BallyBill]

I think they need the Fairness Doctrine to bail them out.

[ladyinred]

Just Saturday? Hmmm, too bad.

[TopQuark]

From 8 to 7, every day. Very informative on financial markets and related issues.

[rodguy911]

Equating Journalism with those two bozos is quite a stretch.

[Sue Perkick]

Neither have I. Hope their ratings took a nosedive.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Why do they even bother?

[Texas Songwriter]

Could we have a photo of Cantessa?

[JohnLongIsland]

it must suck when ginsu knife infomercial repeats blow you away in the ratings.

[AwesomePossum]

I watched Ann Coulter carve up Chris Matthews the other day.............except for that, I haven't watched MSNBC for about a year or so.................they are the bottom of the ratings barrel.......

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