Anchor Olbermann counts on commentary to boost MSNBC's ratings

[question everything]

Anchor Olbermann counts on commentary to boost MSNBC's ratings

Tuesday, December 12, 2006
By Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


(snip)

A pungent brew of opinion, straight news, tabloid and celebrity gossip, "Countdown" is hardly a traditional newscast. And while it may not be "Network," Olbermann's show is attracting plenty of viewers who are mad as hell at the Bush administration and don't want to take it anymore. His commentaries, delivered in the stentorian, staccato style of Edward R. Murrow, along with snarky asides and "Worst Person in the World" awards to various political foes, have made him a hero to liberals and anathema to conservatives, and, most important, they have boosted MSNBC's ratings out of the third-place cellar.

"Countdown's" audience jumped 67 percent this year over last, and the cable channel's overall numbers are up 6 percent this year compared with last year, according to Nielsen Media Research. They're also up 10 percent from last year among 25- to 54-year-olds, a coveted advertising demographic. This comes at a time when Fox and CNN, overall, have been posting a decline in ratings. Still, "Countdown" boasts a relatively puny overall audience of 469,000, compared to 2.1 million viewers for Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, whose show airs opposite Olbermann's. But "Countdown" has bested CNN's "Paula Zahn Now" 18 out of 25 nights since the start of November 2006 among viewers age 25-54.

(snip)


"My concern is that people are mistaking his show for real news," said Noel Sheppard, a blogger with NewsBusters.Org, a Web site founded by conservative media watchdog Brent Bozell. "But there's no question he is indeed Howard Beale. The whole Paddy Chayevsky concept in 'Network' was that news had to be entertaining. You had the anchorman flip out one day, and the ratings exploded. The same is going on with Keith Olbermann, who really does get into a snit like Beale did." Robert Cox, a New York businessman, has even started his own anti-Olbermann Web site, "OlbermannWatch.com," where he regularly dissects Olbermann's commentaries and news reports, which he calls sloppily researched.

"I happen to like NBC news," says Cox. "I grew up watching it. My sense is, though, that he's undermining the brand of NBC news and the integrity of that organization by not fact-checking stories, lifting material from other Web sites and only putting on guests he agrees with, which is totally irresponsible."

(snip)

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06346/745336-237.stm

[Bozita]

1. Every KO commentary is an indictment of the MSM -- Whoda thunk it?

Sports guy becomes oracle.

I'm a believer.

[pnorman]

2. Sounds like sour grapes from that Bozell bozo!

I watched that Network DVD fairly recently, and KO isn't ANYTHING like Howard Beale! Quite the opposite. A composite picture of of Limbag & O'Reilly at their most frenetic, would be more like Beale.

I've been off TV for quite some time now, and probably won't fall off the wagon ever. But if I do, it would only be to watch KO in real time. It's maddening waiting for him to come out in C&L or YouTube!

pnorman

[pacalo]

3. I challenge this Sheppard character to name one instance in which Keith has not stated fact.

Back up the accusation -- & I don't mean with any Faux News material.

The only connection between the character Howard Beale & Keith Olbermann is that someone dared to speak the truth instead of glossing over the ugliness with euphemisms & omitted facts & context. There's no "flipping out" with Keith; in fact, there are actual conversations between him & his highly-qualified expert guests, unlike the shouting heard on Faux News when they invite non-Republican guests on for the sake of bullying them by outnumbering them, cutting their mikes when they finally get a chance to speak, & by constantly interrupting them or talking over them.

Keith has the facts on his side. Again, this character couldn't back up one of his accusations against Keith Olbermann.

[pnorman]

4. I just spotted the following video-clip on DU:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK-te3Y0m5A I had seen bits & pieces of that before, but that clip was brand new to me. But it's representative of all the KO clips I've seen up till now. And as far from that O'Reilly-like Beal character as can be imagined.

That YouTube clip should be forwarded to every Fox viewer we know of! It's only 10 min. in duration, and it's really hard to imagine ANY Fox viewer watching that without having a glimmer of awakening. Then follow up with another KO clip.

pnorman

[question everything]

6. Excellent link. Thank you (nt)

[pacalo]

10. Thanks so much! Funny how we have no trouble backing up our opinions. :)

[dbt]

5. Attention MSNBC: Please pick up the Clue Phone for a message!

ONE SHOW gives you a six per cent ratings boost? ONE SHOW that dares to go outside your overall boot-licking, bu$h-enabling, fluff fests of flaming puppies and fawning featherheads gives you a six per cent rise in your numbers?

Whaddaya reckon TWO SHOWS LIKE THIS MIGHT DO FOR YOUR RATINGS?!?!? Tell me again how there's no audience for "Liberal" programming. Please do your best to be convincing.

:argh:
dbt
Remember New Orleans

[ecstatic]

7. I really wish they'd bring Donahue back

I think we have the right climate for a show like his now.

[drbtg1]

8. What needs to be done with Robert Cox!

Every Olbermann article lately includes an unnecessary blurb about Robert Cox and his website. Interesting that Cox has been enjoying some celebrity due to him riding Mr. Olbermann's coattails.

Somewhere on the net are pictures of Cox with various right wing operatives. Not sure where, but if they're found, they should be forwarded to all media outlets. Show them the rather interesting connection.

It's not conclusive, but I know I'm not in a position to get a picture with people like Tony Snow even if I wanted to.

[mandyky]

9. My concern is that people are mistaking his show for real news ??!!!

Oh you mean like Fox? Hahahaha!!
Noel Sheperd needs to make that Worst Person in the World List.