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Middle-of-the-Road CNN Slips Into Last Place

Network is prime-time ratings loser

By Sarah Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 27, 2009 10:38 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Based on cable news ratings, CNN's "no bias" strategy seems to be backfiring. The network, which sticks to the middle in its news coverage, has had an average of 271,000 primetime viewers in April, behind both conservative Fox News (668,000) and lefty MSNBC (300,000), the New York Times reports. "All of a sudden it seems a little unfashionable to be in the middle," says one CNN correspondent.

That's because viewers tune in for commentary, MSNBC's president says: "In primetime you’ve got to stand out and make a splash." Jon Klein, CNN's president, dismisses comparisons. "They don’t have journalists on in primetime," he says. But that's not to say the evening time slots don't matter. "We’re not blasé about it," Klein says. "We just want to win the right way."

In a photo provided by CNN, Larry King, left, interviews former Gov. Rod Blagojevich during a broadcast of Larry King Live on Jan. 26, 2009.
In a photo provided by CNN, Larry King, left, interviews former Gov. Rod Blagojevich during a broadcast of "Larry King Live" on Jan. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lorenzo Bevilaqua/CNN)
Visitors walk past the entrance to the CNN Center in Atlanta.
Visitors walk past the entrance to the CNN Center in Atlanta.   (AP Photo/Ric Feld)
Campbell Brown has improved CNN's 8pm ratings.
Campbell Brown has improved CNN's 8pm ratings.   (AP Photo/CNN)
CNN's Anderson Cooper has been successful at 10pm.
CNN's Anderson Cooper has been successful at 10pm.   (AP Photo/Andy Kropa, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
woodyTX
Apr 27, 2009 9:34 AM CDT
There is plenty of investigative journalism on CNN mperloe....from Nigeria, Iraq, Afghanistan, China ? Who uncovered and reported the brutaliity with which the Taliban were treating their people ? I'll never forget those beheading in the soccer stadium. Who covered Tianammen Square in depth ? CNN has been doing a good job on these these for over 20 years now. It's more than political talk shows if you bother to watch.
Mad
Apr 27, 2009 7:42 AM CDT
No shit, TRU, same with radio. The A.M. band is covered with so many angry mouthed simpletons spewing much hate at America, it amazes me they can find an audience, yet, everyday, for hours at a time, they are indoctrinating the next generation of haters. These black hearted beings know it's wrong to hate, so they seek out other hateful asses to be spoonfed what to say, how to vote, what to think, and any bumper sticker slogans that the simple minded love so well: "Drill here, drill now" - "America , love it or leave it", etc
woodyTX
Apr 27, 2009 7:38 AM CDT
Left of your extreme right wing slant Mr. C ? Talk about a statisitically valid unbiased analysis ! Everything looks left from your vantage point.....but of course you can't be expected to see that.
Politics • Media • Money

 
MSNBC • Fox News • CNN • TV ratings • cable news • prime time

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