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For Struggling TV Networks, Obama's a Cash Cow

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 6, 2009 7:47 AM CDT

(Newser) – The right might complain that television networks are in thrall to Barack Obama, but they have a good reason to be: the president is good for business. As Politico reports, Obama-related programs send ratings spiking—when he appeared on the Tonight Show, it had its best Friday night in 17 years, 60 MInutes its biggest show in 9 years, Face the Nation its best in 4 years. A-List stars boost ratings, and Obama, says one media buyer, is "the ultimate A-Lister."

He's not the first president to be such a draw; though it's easy to forget now, George W. Bush was pulling down millions of viewers in 2001 and 2002. But with advertising drying up, the networks are even keener for Obama to appear—and that means the White House has the freedom to promote what it wants where it wants. Still, there is one man still more powerful than the president: Simon Cowell, whose American Idol trounced an Obama special on ABC recently.

President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo is broadcast on television screens at a shopping center in Jerusalem Thursday, June 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Moti Milrod)

Barack Obama laughs during the beginning of the Correspondents Dinner, Friday, June 19, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Two Americans watch a television broadcast of the inauguration of Barack Obama at the Best Buy store Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

Mad

Jul 6, 2009 4:16 AM CDT

godawgs, you who carefully follow presidential press conferences must certainly recall, at the same time in Bush's administration, everytime Bush showed his face, the stock market took a severe hit. Remember? These are not opinions these are facts and you can look them up. This part of the story was conveniently either not written in the original or left out of the summary by newser.

keybored

Jul 6, 2009 3:56 AM CDT

Actually I watch FOX as much as I can stomach them -- not much lately, I admit, but enough to understand how they operate. Please do not presume to make assumptions about someone you don't know.

godawgs

Jul 6, 2009 2:26 AM CDT

@djm420 the reason is they failed to mention that the every prime time news conference that the President has had has dropped in ratings. With the health care forum being his lowest rated prime time news conference yet. These are not opiinions these are facts and you can look them up. This part of the story was conveniently either not written in the original or left out of the summary by newser.

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For Struggling TV Networks, Obama's a Cash Cow

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Barack Obama • Nielsen Ratings • TV ratings • Tonight Show • network television • George W. Bush • President Obama

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Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

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That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Nielsen Ratings • TV ratings • Tonight Show • network television • George W. Bush • President Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

About Us

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?