Bailout bombshell drives millions to 24/7 cable TV news
If you don't think it matters that 24/7 all-news cable channels like MSNBC are becoming less fact-based and more given to ideologically driven commentary, consider what happened Monday when news broke that the Wall Street bailout bill had been rejected by the House of Representative.
The combined audience for the four major cable news networks jumped by 7.1 million viewers in the aftermath of that vote, according to Nielsen figures, as viewers tuned in for information on the vote and analysis as to what it might mean to their lives.
From to 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, the aggregate audience for CNN, CNBC, FOX News, and MSNBC jumped by 71 percent over the average daily audience for that time period during the prior portion of the month.
From 3 to 4 p.m., the surge was 103 percent over the average audience.
During the 5 to 6 p.m. hour, the combined audience for the four cable channels peaked at almost 7.1 million viewers — an 84 percent increase over the norm.
As harmless as some might consider Keith Olbermann or Bill O'Reilly, the channels on which they are allowed to propagandize are among the first places Americans turn for information in time of crisis. Surely, some responsibility to present reliable information comes with that trust.
The numbers also indicated that we are still living more in the Television Age that the Internet Era -- though we are getting there.
To see complete figures for Monday -- including Web traffic for brokerage houses – read Nielsen’s report.
Comments
Excuse me, Fox News and Bill O'Reilly, unlike MSNBC offer both sides of an argument. Mr. O'Reilly interviewed both Hilliary Clinton and Barack Obama, whereas MSNBC did not not interview McCain. Furthermore, if you watched Fox regularly, Mr. Combs is given plenty of time to question more right-wing guests.
This idea that Fox is propgandizing is just wrong. They have reported on issues not even touched by network news or other cable stations. For example, nowhere on these other stations has Barack Obama been questioned on his connections to Acorn, or having two previous CEO's of Fannie and Freddie on his staff. Why is that? Instead, reports on MSNBC question what news source Governor Palin uses. Give me a break!!!!
Posted by: Equal time | October 1, 2008 4:25 PM
I have to agree with Equal Time. To compare O'Reilly with Olberman is really mixing apples and oranges.
O'Reilly, despite being bombastic (would his ratings be where they are if he weren't?) truly operates in a "no spin" zone. I have seen him take anyone looking to parse and answer to task, regardless of affiliation.
Olberman is a bitter old man, with only his ideology left to drive him. I have never seen him present both sides of the issue with anything but smarmy disdain for the side he disagrees with.
Although I am not blind to Fox's conservative leanings, they give FAR more time to both sides than any other cable network. It seems to be working too, because CNN seems to be trying to play catch up. MSNBC may as well be a propaganda arm of the DNC.
Posted by: Jed3d | October 1, 2008 5:49 PM
Even someone like me, who doesn't care too much about politics (much less, economics) is drawn to CNN. I mean, the bailout could essentially save Wall Street, it doesn't take a Yale degree to figure that out.
The problem: No bailout, and America goes into another depression, just like the one John Steinbeck wrote about in "The Grapes of Wrath." The kind my grandfather lived through.
It's said to see Senator's personal ideologies and ego put into play over common sense. This is why I hate politicians, and why I know that whoever wins this election, is walking into the lion's den.
Posted by: Alex | October 1, 2008 10:54 PM
While I agree that MSNBC is left-leaning, Fox News is far from being fair and balanced. They do let people on the other side talk, but only if they agree with the conservative spin. It's the only network I know that cuts a person off when they don't like what they say (Turn off his mike!). They do it very often.
O'Reilly is a blowhard who is a Rush Limbaugh wannabe. Instead of popping illegal drugs though, he just stalks his female staff with his lewd gestures.
Colmes is an unattractive puppet on what is really the Hannity Show. Colmes plays the role of the "weak liberal" (Conservatives love him!) perfectly. I used to watch Fox News all the time but I grew up..
Posted by: Ray K. | October 2, 2008 4:47 AM
Like it or not Fox news is the only place the news is still honest and trustworthy. NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and CNBC are mostly propaganda and personal agenda information outlets. Those of us who do not have radical points of view and want to see what the news really is have no choice but to watch FOX News. If you think I'm wrong just check the ratings and not your E-mails.
Posted by: Bill Mohler | October 2, 2008 11:43 AM