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CNN Falls Behind MSNBC in Annual Prime-Time Ratings (Dinosaur Media DeathWatchâ„¢)
The New York Times ^ | December 16, 2009 | Bill Carter

Posted on 12/17/2009 5:10:14 AM PST by abb

CNN will finish 2009 behind MSNBC in prime-time ratings, the first time CNN has ever trailed a competitor other than the Fox News Channel over a full calendar year.

That finish had been expected. In recent months, CNN, which continues to stand behind its policy of steering clear of the opinion-based shows that draw large prime-time audiences for its competitors, has also trailed its own sister network, HLN (formerly Headline News). CNN has frequently finished fourth in the news channel category.

CNN will finish the fourth quarter of 2009 in fourth place — another first — and with two weeks left has been fourth on more than 100 nights this year.

But the end-of-the-year ratings for the news networks — which were being presented this week because nothing is likely to change by Jan. 1 — are bringing some other, less expected, results. One is the ability of Fox News, which had the biggest ratings year in its history, to grow even against the heavily viewed election year of 2008. (Both CNN and MSNBC were down sharply from last year.)

Perhaps most surprising is the overall growth in viewing for all the news networks over the last several years. For example, even with its competitive problems in prime time, CNN has had more viewers on average this year than it did in 2006 or 2007. So has MSNBC. But they both have been left in the dust by Fox News.

Fox has averaged 699,000 viewers for the year, up 10 percent, in the weeknight prime-time hours. (All figures cited here are for viewers ages 25 to 54, the audience that determines success among news networks because that is the group sought by news advertisers.) MSNBC was second with 307,000 viewers, while CNN averaged 297,000.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: advertising; cnn; dbm; television
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Thursday morning good news.
1 posted on 12/17/2009 5:10:15 AM PST by abb
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To: 04-Bravo; aimhigh; andyandval; Arizona Carolyn; backhoe; Bahbah; bert; bilhosty; Caipirabob; ...

2 posted on 12/17/2009 5:11:03 AM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: abb

In recent months, CNN, which continues to stand behind its policy of steering clear of the opinion-based shows that draw large prime-time audiences for its competitors, has also trailed its own sister network, HLN (formerly Headline News). “

LOL. Yeah right. No opinionated shows on CNN. LOL


3 posted on 12/17/2009 5:14:01 AM PST by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
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To: abb

MSNBC is far left and appeals to the hard left base. CNN, while still left, can tilt to the center on occasion.

Same reason “moderate Republicans” lose. They alienate their base.


4 posted on 12/17/2009 5:14:25 AM PST by tips up
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To: abb

Lou Dobbs was all that CNN had, he left, CNN tanked further and then Lou Dobbs went insane on criminal immigration.


5 posted on 12/17/2009 5:14:58 AM PST by Graybeard58 ("Get lost, Mitt. You're the Eddie Haskell of the Republican party." (Finny))
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To: abb
I know the solution....

CNN needs more Nancy Grace!

6 posted on 12/17/2009 5:16:30 AM PST by earlJam
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To: abb

“In recent months, CNN, which continues to stand behind its policy of steering clear of the opinion-based shows”

I guess that tells us how much credibility the writer of the article has.


7 posted on 12/17/2009 5:16:43 AM PST by Poser (Enjoying Prime Rib for 58 Years!)
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To: abb
In recent months, CNN, which continues to stand behind its policy of steering clear of the opinion-based shows that draw large prime-time audiences for its competitors,”

ROFL!
This is a joke, right?

Reality:

Anderson Cooper: “It's Hard to Talk When You're Teabagging” — 4.15.09 “
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwSvBK9sGY

8 posted on 12/17/2009 5:20:22 AM PST by SmokingJoe
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To: abb
CNN, which continues to stand behind its policy of steering clear of the opinion-based shows

Maybe if they fact-checked Obama's speeches instead of Saturday Night Live people would take them more seriously.

They are more biased than Fox just less honest about it.

9 posted on 12/17/2009 5:20:54 AM PST by Tribune7
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To: abb

http://www.foliomag.com/2009/115-magazine-and-media-predictions-2010
115 Magazine and Media Predictions for 2010

http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/variety-hollywood-reporter-both-face-end-game-11889
Variety, Hollywood Reporter Both Face the End Game

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/440766-Cable_News_Ratings_Fox_News_Has_Highest_Rated_Year_In_Network_History.php
Cable News Ratings: Fox News Has Highest Rated Year In Network History

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/msnbc_touts_yearly_demo_win_over_cnn_146264.asp
MSNBC Touts Yearly Demo Win Over CNN

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/cnn_preparing_for_poor_ratings_month_gets_2009_report_out_early_146258.asp
CNN, Preparing for Poor Ratings Month, Gets 2009 Report Out Early


10 posted on 12/17/2009 5:21:45 AM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: tips up

Yep, you nailed it.


11 posted on 12/17/2009 5:21:59 AM PST by DemforBush (Now officially 100% ex-Democrat.)
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To: abb
the first time CNN has ever trailed a competitor other than the Fox News Channel over a full calendar year.

Idiotic thing to say since there are only 3 cable news networks in competition.

12 posted on 12/17/2009 5:27:40 AM PST by submarinerswife ("If I win I can't 't be stopped! If I lose I shall be dead." - George S. Patton)
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To: abb
Does anybody know what the ratings are for the 3 cable networks in the mornings?

I would think that MSNBC - Morning Joe beats F&F and CNN's American Morning but have never seen the ratings.

13 posted on 12/17/2009 5:31:19 AM PST by submarinerswife ("If I win I can't 't be stopped! If I lose I shall be dead." - George S. Patton)
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To: abb

STeers clear of opinion based news just like the Old York Times does.

Pray for America’s Freedom


14 posted on 12/17/2009 5:32:19 AM PST by bray (Palin can see the White House from her Porch)
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To: abb

http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=1339136
Bee cheaper - Sacramento’s last daily newspaper seeks more concessions from union


15 posted on 12/17/2009 5:39:49 AM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: abb

Is it news or rationalization.


16 posted on 12/17/2009 5:47:20 AM PST by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . Lukenbach Texas is barely there)
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To: abb

Am I the only one who sees the “real” news of this article: “Fox has averaged 699,000 viewers for the year, up 10 percent, in the weeknight prime-time hours. (All figures cited here are for viewers ages 25 to 54, the audience that determines success among news networks because that is the group sought by news advertisers.) MSNBC was second with 307,000 viewers, while CNN averaged 297,000.”

Using my trusty calculator, that comes up to 1,303,000 people and I take it that’s a “daily” figure? You divide that number by 300 million people in the U.S. and that works out to .434333%.

That’s less than 1/2 of 1 percent. Glenn Beck, are you listening?

That’s less than 1/2/ of 1 percent. How many people are in that age group? Lets say roughly 150 million. Back to the calculator and..........that works out to .8686666%; still less than 1% are watching any of these news stations.

Homework assignment: check the circulation numbers of your local hometown newspaper, (assuming you have one).

The answer that will suddenly come clearly into focus???? Something on the order of 90% of the selected age group aren’t plugged into any news outlet whatsoever, ever. These people have........unplugged from MSM.


17 posted on 12/17/2009 5:49:23 AM PST by glide625
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To: abb

Chicken Noodle News needs bring back the Mouth of the South - Red Ted Turner. Things just haven't been the same since the newser traded billboards and bull chips for Hanoi Jane and buffalo chips.

18 posted on 12/17/2009 5:51:28 AM PST by Zakeet (When in doubt, empty the magazine)
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To: abb
CNN, which continues to stand behind its policy of steering clear of the opinion-based shows

They just don't get it. They're in trouble BECAUSE they insert so much (far-left) opinion into their coverage.

19 posted on 12/17/2009 5:55:51 AM PST by libertylover (The problem with Obama is not that his skin is too black, it's that his ideas are too RED.)
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To: abb
Haha

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

20 posted on 12/17/2009 5:55:54 AM PST by Bon mots
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