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CNN Last in Prime-Time Ratings Race

Cable viewers prefer opinion-based news programming

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 26, 2009 3:35 PM CDT
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(Newser) – CNN’s ratings have fallen behind those of the other major cable news networks as prime-time viewers pass over the network in favor of opinion-based news coverage. Every prime-time CNN show lost to its Fox News opponent, and in some instances the losses were even more humiliating—at 10pm, for example, Anderson Cooper 360 not only lost by a wide margin to Greta Van Susteren but was also beaten by repeats of 8pm programs hosted by Keith Olbermann and Nancy Grace.

CNN executives say their ratings stack up much better when the numbers include non-prime-time hours, and they note that viewers flock to the network for information on a breaking story, the New York Times reports. “CNN’s ratings are always going to be more dependent on the news environment, much more so than opinion-based programming especially in prime time,” the network said in a statement.

Television personality Greta Van Susteren arrives for the FX channel premiere of Damages, Thursday, July 19, 2007, in New York.
Television personality Greta Van Susteren arrives for the FX channel premiere of "Damages", Thursday, July 19, 2007, in New York.   (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
Anderson Cooper attends a screening of the environmental documentary Planet in Peril, Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, in New York.
Anderson Cooper attends a screening of the environmental documentary "Planet in Peril," Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, in New York.   (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)
In this July 22, 2006 file photo, Keith Olbermann, host of the MSNBC show, Countdown With Keith Olbermann, talks about his show at the Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif.
In this July 22, 2006 file photo, Keith Olbermann, host of the MSNBC show, "Countdown With Keith Olbermann," talks about his show at the Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena,...   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 31 comments
MrsK
Oct 29, 2009 8:44 AM CDT
Last place because they suck.
luluzz
Oct 27, 2009 7:32 AM CDT
There isn't a single news agency that you can depend on in this day and age. Like Sammy, I find news from the BBC is more reliable and that is a sad statement. But like speedbump said you have to watch and read a variety of news outlets if you're looking for the truth and actual facts.
freethemall
Oct 27, 2009 7:27 AM CDT
good point.

 
television • MSNBC • Keith Olbermann • CNN • TV ratings • Anderson Cooper • Anderson Cooper 360 • cable news • Greta Van Susteren • Headline News • HLN • Nancy Grace

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