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June 27, 2009

CNN rules on night of Jackson, Fawcett death news

Farrah Fawcett Michael Jackson

There was big news on Thursday night, and CNN was far and away the cable channel most Americans tuned to.

The 24/7 news channel, which usually trails its opinion-dominated competitors on Fox and MSNBC in weeknight viewing, doubled and tripled MSNBC's audience at times as viewers sought information on the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Just as it was during last fall's election, CNN is still clearly the channel of choice when viewers want reliable, fact-based information on major events.

MSNBC, meanwhile, which no longer bothers to even cover news on the weekends, was the most ignored major news channel from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., the Nielsen window of measurement. The NBC sister channel also finished a deep last in prime time -- the time period in which it rose and is now starting to fall with a slumping Keith Olbermann.

From 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, CNN had an overall audience of 3.16 million, while Fox had 2.34 million, and MSNBC had 1.5 million, according to the Nielsen Media Company.

In prime time (8 to 11 p.m.): CNN had 3.9 million viewers, Fox had 2.9 million, and MSNBC had only 1.1 million.

In addition to highlighting viewer trust in CNN when it comes to news, the ratings on Thursday night also show that viewers clearly prefer Fox as well on major events to MSNBC.

Posted by David Zurawik at 2:06 PM | | Comments (13)
Categories: Michael Jackson
        

Comments

R.I.P farrah and mIchael god bless

I agree. I switched back and forth between CNN and FOX and there was no contest. CNN gave more detail and more documentary and FOX always seems to be looking for the hype (extravagant) I guess. Much more settling to watch CNN. I don't want more hyperactivity than I aleady have. Now I have to get serious about laundry, I am drowning in laundry.

Michael Jackson was not only the greates but he was the best,and he will always be the best,he had inspired me by the way he dance and sing,when i was a baby two of Michael song had made me make my first step,two of those song was beat it and thriller.On the day of my graduation my friend text me and sad that Michael died i couldn't believe it but it was true ,i started to cry because we had lost a Hero.I always wanted to see Michael face to face just to sing or dance with him,but know his gone my heart has broken,but am going to make him a promis i will make sure that my grand children and children know about ur history and am sure that everyone would do the same,ur name will always remember.People usually say that one you died you have another live,well i hope you the best and if you could just come back again,because you have mad so many people love,and so many has cry and fainted when you sing and dance.If someone sad that they didn't not like Michael that was bull,because they know in there heart that he was the greatest we love you Michael not as a friend but as a family.

Long Live The King Of POP
Michael Jackson

i think to much is being made of michael jacksons death the media seems to focus to much on him and forgeting about ed and farrah

michael was a very conflicted person

he didnt know whether to be black or white

man or woman

man or child

parent or pedophile

michael was unique because it rhymes with freak

I would like to know why every time an African-American reaches a milestone, such as our joy for President Obama or the overwhelming grief in the death of Michael Jackson, they always have to interview Jesse Jackson or Rev.Sharpton? It sterotypes and minimizes the importance in their own right of these successful and well-deserved people. I never think in terms of black or white, and by interviewing these 2 people all the time, you would think that they are the gate-keepers for all the African-American people that achieve success on their own. I wonder if every succesful African-American has to first go through these 2 characters?? I am being sarcastic, but it does seem to be true. Can't we just stop interviewing these 2 men and instead speak to the current people closest to successful African-Americans?

"CNN is still clearly the channel of choice when viewers want reliable, fact-based information on major events."
____________________________
Or the news channel equivalent of People Magazine or The National Inquirer.

...And you are basing that on what? The fact that CNN has more international and national news bureaus than any other news operation in America? I think you might be confusing CNN with another channel. Z

Hello David.....Keith Olbermann is calling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy7P-BmDNvo

Yep, I caught that too on Keith Olbermann last night. You were his third best person (with a sarcastic remark about the slump) and he went on to explain why they were on top in the ratings. If I were you Z, I would just hang-up on him.

Michael jackson has always being my idol and would forever be. I was asleep that evening when my cousin's text message came through, he told me that michael was dead! I immediately launched the google search to confirm it but to my uttermost dissapointment it was true! June 25th was the saddest day of my life and will forever be. We need not argue about the fact that he has being the best, both before and during his time, and there are no possibilities that there will ever be anyone greater than him in the future. I love you michael.

...And you are basing that on what? The fact that CNN has more international and national news bureaus than any other news operation in America? I think you might be confusing CNN with another channel. Z

Go to bottom of CNN.com's main page, and check out which celebrity news magazine is listed under the section that's titled "From Our Partners".

And that proves what? The fact that the company that owns CNN owns celebrity news magazines proves nothing except that CNN is owned by a media company that owns other entities -- as do most media companies. I still do not get the point you are trying to make. Please clarify if you can. Thanks. Z

I still do not get the point you are trying to make

Didn't CNN once have a show called "People In The News"- which utilized the People logo? Or is that a different People magazine?

I'm not the same person who equated CNN with People and the National Enquirer. All I did was point out a relationship between CNN and People after you told the original commenter(pem) that he "might be confusing CNN with another channel."

Also, since you frequently appear on CNN shows, shouldn't you disclose your relationship with the network whenever you compliment CNN or criticize Fox News and MSNBC on your blog?

Gary, I have one thing to say about your post and that is you are very ignorant.

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About David Zurawik
I've been The Baltimore Sun's TV critic since 1989. My writings on TV and media have appeared in such publications as TV Guide, Esquire magazine and American Journalism Review. I have a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.A. in specialized reporting (on popular culture) from the University of Wisconsin. I'm the author of The Jews of Prime Time (Brandeis University Press), a look at 50 years of Jewish characters and identity on network TV. I have also been with WYPR-FM (88.1) radio since 1994 and can be heard Thursday mornings at 7:30 doing a weekly "Take on Television" report.
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