Debate sours ABC viewers

[cboy4]

In comments on the network's site, they say they'll no longer watch 'World News.'



By Matea Gold, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 19, 2008

NEW YORK -- Anger at ABC News over the approach its moderators took in this week's Democratic debate continued to spill forth online Friday, with many people writing that they will no longer watch the network's newscasts.

The fierce criticism of the questions posed by moderators Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos to Sen. Barack Obama comes as ABC's "World News With Charles Gibson" has been locked in a tight race with "NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams" to be the top-rated network evening newscast.

Whether the controversy will dampen viewership of ABC News' flagship broadcast remains to be seen. But in many of the 20,000-plus comments posted on ABCNews.com, viewers said the tone of the debate undermined ABC's credibility and soured them on the network.

"I can't trust that you could ever deliver a fair and balanced news story after the debate," read one comment posted Friday morning. "My choice will be to tune in elsewhere."

Jon Banner, executive producer of "World News," said he did not think the heated reaction would affect viewership of the broadcast.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-abc19apr19,0,5496958.story

[ScarletSniper]

1. Well, they count out me, my family and friends..that's for sure.

[glowing]

2. Who watches the 30min soundbites called "world news" Only dumb ass

Americans who elect Bush.

[nxylas]

3. Be interesting to see if their viewing figures take a hit

Or whether it's "just words".

[screembloodymurder]

4. Count me out.

Mickey Mouse can go fuck himself.

[rndmprsn]

5. always thought ABC was kind of a joke and never watched it anyhow...

now, i am n a mission to make sure everyone i know never watches that "joke" of a network...especially their "news" program.

[90-percent]

6. On the other hand

Didn't ABC break the TORTURE DECISIONS MADE INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE expose about 2 weeks ago?

I mean, the usual cast of traitors were sitting around a table dictating torture methods IN REAL TIME to the CIA and MILITARY personnel that were executing the torture commands DIRECT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE?

You know, the blockbuster story of White House Treason that was on the MSM radar for about a day and a half and then vaporized to the place where the pile of Bush treasons all ends up.

-90% Jimmy

[Jawja]

7. YES. I have

already canceled "Grey's Anatomy" and "Men in Trees" from my DVR season recording. A small sacrifice; but worth it in protest.

[uponit7771]

8. 11 million people will NEVER take ABC news seriously any longer no matter if they watch them.

[JaneQPublic]

9. NBC/MSNBC for me... warts and all

While Brian Williams can be very annoying at times (esp. when swallowing the B.S. that "the surge is working!"), I give him credit for continuing to report the Katrina/NOLA story long after everyone else had abandoned it.

And MSNBC, even though it keeps dirtbags like Joe Scar., Pat. B., and Tucker employed, they do have enough sense to give us Keith and Rachel (Dan Abrams ain't bad, either).

Now, if they would only unload Timmy Russet and Mrs. Allan Greenspan, I'd be much happier with them.

[yellowcanine]

10. It is a moot point for me. I don't watch any network news. Or the "fluff" shows either.

Who has time? Time that could be better spent on DU?

[stillcool]

11. I don't either...but I feel like I do...

because I read all about it here.

[SoFlaJet]

12. Yea somebody is gonna have to

give us reports about all the hard question Steffie asks McCain on Sunday because there's no WAY I will be watching-as I told ABC in my E-mail. as for Charlie Gibson? I don't think I've EVER watched him anyway