hubris n. 1. Exaggerated pride or self confidence often resulting in retribution. 2. Overbearing presumption; arrogance.
Posted on 09/23/2003 2:09:58 PM PDT by jmcclain19
Link via Drudge
CNN's prime-time ratings still down despite overhaul
By CAROLINE WILBERT The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CNN still is putting the final touches on its new prime-time lineup, but the first two weeks' worth of ratings are down compared with last year.
The network said Monday it has hired contributors -- including former Defense Department spokeswoman Victoria Clarke and Time magazine columnist Joe Klein -- for the 8 p.m. show, "Paula Zahn Now."
Zahn's show drew an average of 598,000 viewers in its first two weeks since CNN relaunched it with the new name. That was down 25 percent from the time slot a year ago, when Connie Chung's program was airing.
The new 7 p.m. show, "Anderson Cooper 360," drew an average of 446,000 viewers in its first two weeks, down 32 percent from a year earlier.
While down from last year, ratings have improved since the shows launched and are up over last month, CNN spokeswoman Christa Robinson said.
The shows were designed to sharpen CNN's hard-news image. The network has repeatedly reworked both its schedule and management team in recent years after losing its cable ratings lead to Fox News.
Jim Walton, who took the reins of Atlanta-based CNN in January, canceled "Connie Chung Tonight," which did relatively well in the ratings but was criticized for its tabloid style. He moved the 7 p.m. debate show "Crossfire" to a half-hour slot in the afternoon.
Anchors Zahn and Cooper took over their time slots months ago, but their new shows officially launched Sept. 8, with on-air promos, a new set for Zahn and well-known guests. The network has been working all summer to put together an ensemble cast for Zahn's show.
In addition to Clarke and Klein, CNN is giving Zahn's show nearly exclusive access to other network contributors, including medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and legal correspondent Jeffrey Toobin. The idea is to provide viewers something different during prime time, instead of just rehashed versions of the news they've seen all day.
CNN last week overhauled its news management, naming local-news veteran Princell Hair to run the flagship network. The goal, CNN chief Jim Walton said last week, is to get viewers to watch CNN for longer periods of time -- key to improving ratings.
Walton said last week he doesn't expect to make any changes, however, in the prime-time schedule.
"I'm very pleased with it," he said.
There was a Swiss national working at former employer of mine. I asked her why the "CH" for Switzerland. She gave me this
line [of bull] about it being from the German spelling - "Schweizerische", and "S" was taken by Spain(?).
I found out a short time later listening to a talk radio program cruising home one night...From the Latin - Confoederatio Helvetica.
So, CNN isn't quite alone misunderstanding Switzerland.
Nam Vet
Great belly laugh.
Not anymore. With the inter-net, I have access to news (in many cases) before the major networks can run a bullitin.
They are no longer the gatekeepers. More important then that, it is now possible to catch them in lies and distortion. When the "news" was more tightly controlled, it was almost impossible to get to the source material, but now, it is possible to read many accounts of the same story. Add to that, forums like this, where at anyone time, average people can point out the distortions, and lies minutes after they are uttered, it just makes life more difficult for them.
I no longer buy newspapers, or news magazines, and will only watch the talking heads if they have someone I am interested in on. Forget about the nightly news. It is not possible for them to provide anything other then their point of view in the 22 minutes they have, and so I save myself the headaches.
The first major network that bites the bullet and moves back to fair reporting will be rewarded with viewers, but they would rather be a mouthpiece for the left then make a buck.
I hope everyone keeps this in mind the next time a European tries to say something about the intelligence of an average American.
Not that we didn't already know the truth anyway, of course...
Now that you say it, I think I knew that already, but other than a 90 second drive-by to see how far gone Janeane Garafaloopy would be, it's been years since I saw it too.
hubris n. 1. Exaggerated pride or self confidence often resulting in retribution. 2. Overbearing presumption; arrogance.
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