Here in NorCal the cable companies package Fox News with basic cable but

[featherman]

require expanded for both CNN and MSNBC. Our Democratic Headquarters in Yreka recently opened with a basic cable package. No CNN, no MSNBC, only Fox. This is from Northland Cable. Extrapolate this bit of information around the country to understand why Fox "leads"in cable news viewership.

[MrsCorleone]

1. We noticed the same thing while at my FIL's in North County

San Diego. He has Cox Cable and we couldn't find MSNBC. We found it odd but didn't look into it further until we talked to a Cox rep at a mall kiosk recently. Looking over the brochure of cable packages, we found MSNBC was included only in the priciest package. South San Diego County, however, did offer MSNBC along with the other networks.

This might partly explain why North San Diego County is so damned frickin' religious/conservative.

[glinda]

2. This is the Walmart concept

You make sure that your competitors cannot move in and then you put yourself all over in those vulnerable places and hog the show. That way your stocks and ratings are up. Walmart. That is the only reason Walmart's stock goes up. That is their expansion tactic. Same with media.