Web, Cable Topple Networks' Election Ratings

Dem grabs clear debate victory in CBS, CNN polls

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama was the clear winner of last night's debate against John McCain, two separate polls conducted for television networks found. Minutes after the debate ended, 40% of uncommitted voters identified Obama as the winner to 26% who said McCain came out on top, CBS News reports. Viewers found Obama more likeable by a 2-to-1 margin, and 68% said they believed the Democratic candidate will make the right decisions on the economy. More»

Biden dominates Sunday talk shows

(NEWSER) - The newly announced Obama/Biden ticket predictably dominated the talk shows today. Politico gives the run-down:

• Obama VP adviser Caroline Kennedy told Meet the Press she hoped Joe Biden would prove to be as sage a pick as her father's choice of LBJ.
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi turned Biden's rep for gaffes into a snipe at Bush on NBC, saying Obama "is not just choosing a yes man, but a person that will speak what he believes.”

Opening in White House press room ignites speculation

(NEWSER) - Fox News and Bloomberg have already called dibs on the front-row seat in the White House briefing room held for decades by Helen Thomas, but will either one get it? The White House Correspondents Association will make the call, and Thomas, who retired in disgrace today , isn't talking. Pretty much everyone else with even a passing interest is, though. "For Fox to inherit her seat would be a pretty dispiriting coda to the whole affair," Greg Sargent writes for the Plum Line blog . More»

CNN ranks second, as Americans favor outlets they agree with

(USER SUBMITTED) - Americans consider Fox the most trusted name in news broadcasting, a poll released yesterday found. Some 49% of the 1151 registered voters surveyed by PPP said they trusted the network's news coverage, 10% ahead of CNN. Fox also recorded the lowest level of distrust, 37%. The major networks fared the worst in the trust stakes: NBC (paired with MSNBC in the survey) ranked highest at 35%, while CBS and ABC both came in at 31%, Politico reports. More»

So You Think You Can Dance kicks speech

(NEWSER) - The Fox Broadcast Network won't carry President Obama's congressional address on health-care reform Wednesday, and will instead run So You Think You Can Dance, reports Broadcasting & Cable. The Fox News cable channel will carry the address. The Fox network also skipped Obama's July 22 speech. ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC and PBS will all carry the president's 8 pm speech. More»