Fox News Gains, Other News Networks Fall

The Hollywood Repoter via Yahoo! News ^ | September 4, 2003 | Andrew Grossman

[RayChuang88]

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Fox News Channel was the only cable news service in August to grow in viewership from a year ago, gaining 20% in primetime and 29% across the entire day, according to Nielsen Media Research.

By comparison, CNN fell by 9% in primetime and total day, while MSNBC lost 21% in primetime and 11% for the day. Headline News and CNBC also suffered losses greater than 20% compared with August 2002. It marked the 28th consecutive month that Fox led the news channel pack.

For the month, Fox averaged 1.3 million viewers in primetime, compared with 787,000 for CNN and 274,000 for MSNBC. Headline News edged out CNBC -- 250,000 vs. 224,000 viewers. Among adults 25-54, Fox grew by 10% in primetime to average 411,000 viewers, while CNN fell by 14% to 224,000. MSNBC plummeted by 29% to 102,000, followed by Headline News (down 35%) and CNBC (off by 15%).

[wayoverontheright]

Fox News Gains, Other News Networks Fall

The conservative message is positive, optimistic, and unwavering, while the liberal message is negative, pessimistic, and unsure.

Then there's Laurie Dhue's lips.....

[sarasota]

I think there are many people who have tuned out the news on tv altogether. I know I have. I get my news here during the day. Evenings are for family and fun, not news.

[dogbyte12]

It just puts it into perspective for me a bit I guess. When people are debating if Geraldo is good. Paula Zhan and Greta switching. Tucker Carlson vs Joe Scarsborough, I have to remind myself that 99% of americans don't give a rip.

[AVNative]

Two things: FNC viewership is up 20 to 29 per cent **from a year ago** AND FNC viewership is *down* 1 per cent from July 2003. Meanwhile, CNN gained 84,000 new viewers - a gain of 12 per cent from July 2003.

At the moment, Fox has lost the battle, but is winning the overall "war." What is disturbing in these numbers is the loss of overall news program viewership. If even television (albeit cable/satellite television) cannot hold viewers' overall interest in the world around them, what kind of republic will we be living in in the future?

Answer: (I see it all the time when I ask my students) a future where narcissism runs rampant, and the public interest is an unwanted foster child.

A heads up to all interested Freepers! Be aware. . . creeping narcissism and self-indulgence are quietly taking over like in the motion picture "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." As in that film, don't fall asleep!!!

[KellyAdmirer]

CNN had a big August relative to July because of the East Coast blackout. It always shoots and scores during a huge crisis, FNC's advantage is in its evening lineup, not its crisis coverage. A temporary blip.

I'm glad FNC is doing well because it is the best proof positive of the liberal bias infesting the rest of the media, which has been a pain for me since at least the early 1980s. I don't watch it much myself, though I used to watch it more. I don't like all the shouting and grandstanding and lecturing and get my news off the Internet anyway.

[TaxMe]

In addition to the bias issue, haven't the other networks figured out that Fox's reporters don't come across as the pompous a**h*les entrenched at places like CNN, ABC (is there a more self righteous jerk than Peter Jennings?), NBC and CBS. People like getting information from a network that doesn't preach to its audience.

[AVNative]

Yup! Disturbs me too. See my post #24.

Good breakdown on the practical fractions you listed. Critical thinking is such a lost art. . .

[Helms]

“Keith Olbermann is one of the few personalities I have ever seen that ticks people off on either side, sport fans HATE him.”

He’s not at all a down to earth regular, mans-man kind of guy. He’s has the intimidation-al approach which is not as effective as it one was. He also suffers from

“he can't drive due to an accident that damaged his depth perception”………. http://members.aol.com/BMC583/keiolb.html

[bandleader]

Mr.DasHole likes to use the phrase:"I Find It Troubling"!!

[bandleader]

Does NPR stand for"National Propoganda Radio"?It does9as far as I'm concerned)!

[SolutionsOnly]

Agreed. Olbermann is a pompous, sanctimonious moron. I really wonder what demographic MSNBC thinks it's targeting with him. He's next to get the axe - it can't happen soon enough!

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Keith Olbermann's "Countdown" show averaged 230,000 viewers, 39% fewer than "Donahue."

Obermann's on his way out. He's just been having too much fun with Al Franken to notice. Fox should pick up Scarborough when MSNBC goes over the edge.

[Nonstatist]

1.3 million for FOX means that 1 in 215 americans watch FOX news on a given night.

At least 25 million watch the main stream Nightly news every night; thats about 9 % of all people, close to 20 % of adults.

There still are people without cable, thats part of the problem. The rest of the problem is inertia related.

[skeeter]

Does NPR stand for"National Propoganda Radio"?

Its strictly for those with, ahem, SUPERIOR standards in news. /sarcasm

[AVNative]

Yeah, KA, good points in your first paragraph. I remember Roger Ailes from FNC saying that's how he planned to build viewership - from political talk in the evening. A good strategy for what he has had to deal with in starting a new news channel.

Sounds like you and me may have something in common. We are both glad FNC is successful, yet dislike the in-your-face quality of the evening lineup which is akin to shouting. I too watch FNC less than I used to in the evening for that very reason. Hey Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, you guys listening? I mean we like you guys, but could you tone down the pot shots and add more of a thoughtful quality to the programs. . . Maybe start a trend and out-NPR NPR. Just do it from your conservative perspective. It could be a real winner!

Yes, KA, I too get the bulk of my news of the ol' Internet. We have to remember to thank algore for inventing it - which allows Free Republic to **gasp** flourish. Doncha love Vast Right Wing Conspiracies???

[Starboard]

CNN continues to auger towards the ground, all while pretending it's on purpose and part of the airshow.

CNN--Commentary Not News.

[AVNative]

of=off

[ken5050]

FYI, re your comments on the network evening newscasts..the NEXT step, supposedly, for Fox is to compete directly with them by offering the first half hour of Brit's show on the FOX network...they've show they can compete with the nets directly..the morning show Fox&Friends..is beating the CBS show consistently....I've heard this is gonna happen as we get closer to the '04 election, when interest peaks....it'llbe interesting to see if the audience on the usual FOX stations..which are showing Simpsons' reruns..will stay for Brit.....they WILL stay for Laurie Dhue..

[3catsanadog]

What I want to know is why Fox News Channel is airing a commercial for a CNN morning show? Are they now incorporating fair and balanced advertising?

[Mind-numbed Robot]

From Fox, I get a lot of commentary about how I should feel about the news......

Then why do you watch it, as you obviously do or you would have no opinion? I am suspicious that you may be similar to liberals who blast Limbaugh while claiming to never watch him, yet they call the show daily.

Regardless, we all see what we want. My tv is on FNC continuously except for the local news at 6:00 and 10:00 and I see plenty of breaking news as well as ongoing news in addition to "Fair and Balanced" analysis. I have never gotten the impression they were telling me how to "feel". That is a liberal approach to life anyway, feeling about things rather than objectively evaluating them. I suppose a liberal may interpret it as you did.