CNN's prime-time ratings still down despite overhaul

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/cnn/0903/23primetime.html?urac=n&urvf=10643520097720.922329042856123

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.

They deserve to tank for hiring Torie Clark.

[samsingh]

1. these are pitiful numbers

598K viewers for Zahn in the heavily promoted relaunch is awful. She's going to need liberals to feel sorry for her soon - her pals certainly won't care.

this is a case of welfare for a lousy journalist.

[LuminousX]

2. Recipe for Success

Prime-Time 1 hour Crossfire. Lose bowtie boy, bring in a heavyweight conservative who is respectable, someone who was above the Clinton BJfest. Keep Novak, keep Begala, add in a Joe Conason or well, heck, Al Franken.

Set aside two hours late night to bring us CNNInternational.

Develop one notable 'face' of CNN, like a Bernard Shaw or even Wolf Blitzer (whether you like him or not). Aaron Brown seems too aloof, you just don't care what he has to say.

[Emboldened Chimp]

3. Wanna boost your ratings, CNN?

Put Crossfire back on prime time. It's real simple.

[jayfish]

4. Here Is An Idea.

Crossfire returns to 8pm time slot for a full hour. Keep the audience but tweak the format to more resemble the Bucannon Kinsley days. Get rid of the bells and chimes and time limits. I'd have a season pass setup in a minute.

Jay

[ixion]

5. CNN should never have tried to become another FAUX...

or FAUX lite, IMO... they've lost many good journalists and are just going downhill. I had to stop watching them several months ago, because of their shilling for the neocons. If they decided to start being a news organization again, I'll think about watching them.

[Bucky]

6. In support of Fox News...

Fox continues to lick CNN because it has better showmanship values.

That in your face style, the splashier graphics, the tighter Big Brother-style close ups of their anchor boys, and the testosterone-packed penis thumping on the studio desk opinions oozing off all their OAPs like so much toothpaste squeezed from the middle makes for, frankly, quite compelling television.

Until CNN gives up its vain pursuit of substance, professionalism, and objectivity, they're simply never going to be able to compete with Fox.

[samsingh]

10. the size of the audience

that falls for the Fox style of propaganda is limited. CNN is losing because it is going after that same limited audience.

i was a loyal CNN watcher before. I don't watch them anymore. I get my news from the Internet. I will not watch them until they become objective and professional again.

[JPace]

15. "In support of Fox News"

Most of us don't watch Fox at all unless its to see what
the right is up to lately. I don't see how CNN will attract
more viewers by becoming a copy of Fox, they will only pull
in more repugs and split the audience with Fox and some of us
who used to watch CNN have moved on.

"Until CNN gives up its vain pursuit of substance, professionalism, and objectivity, they're simply never going to be able to compete with Fox."

Someday a cable news network will be launched that does give
objectivity, professionalism and substance. That will become
a big hit for "authentic" news starved viewers. If they cut
out all the glitz and big name stars they may even be able
to make a nice profit without working too hard at it can
finally give up all the manipulation that doesn't work anyway.

[dbt]

7. They deserve to tank for trying to copy Fochs Noose!

There's a huge market out there for a left-leaning news network, yet the Big Five (sorry, Rehnquist, I mean Disney, Viacom, GE, AOLTimeWarner and Rupert Murdoch) remain so blatantly in the pocket of the Regime.

CNN will never gain on Fochs by trying to ape (pun fully intended) them. It's like the old saw, "Given the choice between a Republican candidate and a Democratic candidate who acts Republican, voters will choose the real thing every time."

Sheeeeeeeze. Tell me again how the media has no agenda. Be convincing.

:argh:
dbt

[uconnyc]

8. I hate to say it but CNN primetime is boring!

Here are my fav. shows:

1) Hardball
2) Crossfire
3) Buchanan & Press
4) Inside politics.

That's about it could careless about the other shows.

The worst:

1) Countdown with Keith Oberman (just a bunch on nonsense)
2) Scarborough (initially I found him entertaining and felt that he atleast tried to be balanced, but he has since exposed himself as a fraud)
3) Larry King (does not ask good questions anymore)
4) HANNITY & colbms (The fact that it tries to present itself as a liberal vs. conservative show, when it is basically lets make a centrist look like a fool, bugs me)

[FlemingsGhost]

9. Die a slow and horrible death, CNN.

Don't they get it?

The "New American Century" is going to fall about 96 years short.

They've decided to go down with the ship, I guess...

[roguevalley]

11. they should just do news.

it would help.

[Snellius]

12. Two words: "Paula Zahn"

Once a FOX femmebot, always a FOX femmebot. What is the deal with these rightwing shiksas: Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham, the trampy-looking Barbie Dolls all over FOX News, Paula Zahn, and the whole Repub army of blonde banshees?

[Sticky]

18. I agree

You took those two words right outta my mouth! Paula Zahn is a wretched, unfair talking head. I stopped watching CNN completely 2 months ago because of her. I heard a commercial that called her "fair-minded" and laughed out loud.

....and I saw in GD they brought her in for face time before the bush speech today. Good. Mornings are a different audience so I'm sure CNN will have a whole new batch of viewers being insulted and leaving.

[kskiska]

13. When are they going to figure out

that maybe Paula Zahn is the problem? Bring back Crossfire. Get rid of over-the-hill Larry King.

[alcuno]

14. I miss "Style with Elsa Klensch"

I really do. They also used to have a great two hour international show on the weekends where reporters from around the world filed stories. And then there's Crossfire which it seems is on against soap-operas or Oprah.

CNN has become so dull that I'd really rather turn in FOX. At least it can hold my attention.

[Pepperbelly]

16. If someone wants to watch Fox bullshit, they'll watch Fox, not CNN. nt

[Gloria]

17. Ratings would go up if Torie Clarke dressed like a clown again...

you could tune in for a good laugh...

[Democat]

19. CNN is just a Fox clone now

Who wants to watch thier right wing propaganda?

[0007]

20. Return CNN to Ted Turner

and get rid of junior's pimps and I'll go back to watching CNN.

[BattyDem]

21. When will this idiots get it through their thick skulls

The right-wing "majority" is actually a minority ... and Fox has that audience all locked up! There are millions of moderates and progressives in this country that are starving for real news. I'm not even saying we need a left-wing network, though I'd love to see one. At this point, I'd be happy with a truthful network - no spin, no propaganda, no sensationalism, no talking heads giving me their meaningless opinions - just good old fashioned journalism! Remember that, guys?

Hey CNN - I read an article a few months back about the BBC's web site getting a huge amount of traffic coming from the US. Do you know why? They have real journalists who actually investigate and report the news! You may want to try it sometime.

Damn ... why oh why did Ted Turner ever give up CNN? :cry:

[Sticky]

22. Interesting comments about Paula Zahn from faux

Last month, Fox News Channel spokesman Robert Zimmerman was quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Paula Zahn's supposed attempt at reinventing herself as a journalist is like putting a fresh coat of paint on an outhouse."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/entertainment/s_95451.html