Fox Ratings Up, Others Decline, Post 9/11

NewsMax ^ | 10/3/02 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

While CNN ponders saving itself by merging with ABC and rumors swirl at MSNBC that Phil Donahue's sagging ratings may end up killing off that network for good, the Fox News Channel's "fair and balanced" approach continues to attract new viewers.

Confounding conventional wisdom, FNC actually boosted its numbers over last September, when coverage of the 9/11 attacks sent ratings for all three cable networks through the roof.

This year FNC's average audience increased a whopping 23 percent over last year's third quarter, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

And while some of that gain parallels a 16 percent increase in the number of cable systems carrying the network, CNN dropped 26 percent compared with a year ago. Headline News, MSNBC and CNBC also saw declines, the paper said.

CNN executives tried to put the best face possible on the latest numbers, arguing the decline isn't surprising since their coverage of 9/11 drew a larger audience than any other cable news network at the time.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

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[Howlin]

since their coverage of 9/11 drew a larger audience than any other cable news network at the time.

Only because they are the only cable channel in most places.

When people have a choice, they turn CNN off.

[topher]

People truly interested in accuracy in the media
know where to turn, and apparently FOX is benefitting
from their fairness (as was said in the article).

[princess leah]

The American people aren't as stupid as they were thought by the main stream liberal media! GO FOX! And conservative radio shows are also busting through the roof in their ratings! Rush, Sean, Hugh Hewitt, Mike Gallagher, Michael Medved, etc...

[Budge]

What amazes me is that right after 9/11 my very liberal brother-in-law discovered Fox News and loves it. =o)

I've even noticed a shift to the right in his political views!

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Why don't you think people are turned off by CNN?

[Howlin]

I think they are. I'm just saying that in most "public areas" CNN is the only thing going, so that would bump up their 9-11 numbers.

[Wright is right!]

NBC is trying everything it can to get pipple to watch Donafeud on MSNBC - they're running 10-sec. promos in the NBC Nightly News, but it's apparently having no effect. Of course, what MSNBC will probably glean from his low ratings is that he's not on ENOUGH - so they'll make his show TWO hours instead of one. That's just the way they think. It will NEVER dawn on them that viewers west of the Hudson don't want failed liberal pap from a washed-up socialist.

The media is such an incestuous little society.

Michael

[YoungKentuckyConservative]

The American people aren't as stupid as they were thought by the main stream liberal media! GO FOX! And conservative radio shows are also busting through the roof in their ratings! Rush, Sean, Hugh Hewitt, Mike Gallagher, Michael Medved, etc...

MICHAEL SAVAGE!!!!! Sometimes radical, but very intelligent and great at drawing connections.

[HarryH]

I have Charter Cable and they are a large Democrat contributor. I live here in Tenneesee and they have recently changed up their line up and put Fox News way back on channel 61 and left CNN at 25... good try.. but I found it however! :-)

[KC_Conspirator]

As if Donahue wasn't a network killer, with his nightly parade of vengeful leftists, terrorists, and anti-American trash, it seems that Chris Matthews of "Whiffleball" is following suit.

[Petronski]

Confounding conventional wisdom...

That's the problem with conventional wisdom: it's all convention and no wisdom.

[Question_Assumptions]

How do Phil's ratings compare to Alan Keyes' ratings?

[pettifogger]

rumors swirl at MSNBC that Phil Donahue's sagging ratings may end up killing off that network for good

Heh, heh, heh.

[CholeraJoe]

Yesterday, Trent Lott announced that he keeps the TV in his office tuned to FNC. Louisiana Governor Mike Foster was interviewed this morning on FNC and Fox News was on the TV in the background.