CNN close to a decision on two hour Newsnight…
Broadcasting & Cable’s John M. Higgins reports that CNN is close to a decision on the two hour Newsnight…
Will CNN stay live at 11 p.m.? Network executives are expected to decide within two weeks whether to make its two-hour “special edition” of NewsNight a permanent feature on its schedule.
NewsNight has been a one-hour show anchored by Aaron Brown at 10 p.m. ET. It was followed by a repeat of Lou Dobbs Tonight at 11 p.m., giving it a better shot at snagging West Coast viewers who miss its original run at 6 p.m. (3 p.m. PT).
But after Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast and offered a rush of compelling news, CNN kept NewsNight live for another hour and paired Brown with increasingly popular anchor Anderson Cooper. The move has so far been successful: CNN’s total audience in the 11 p.m. ET slot is up 49% in total viewers and 40% in the important 25-54 demo.Network insiders say the question is in large part a financial one: Extending NewsNight means displacing a repeat of Dobbs, CNN’s most lucrative show. The rich demographics attracted by Dobbs allow CNN to charge ad rates that are much higher than normal.
UPDATE: TVNewser says Aaron Brown may be done with Newsnight
Now that CNN’s ratings have gone back down since the hurricanes are less severe, I guess they are trying to create their own kind of storm to get viewers. I don’t want to seem negative, but it sounds like a broken record already.
Comment by Gregg — October 31, 2005 @ 1:36 pm
In my time zone, I have switched to Jon Steward or Tucker Carlson by that second hour. Actually, I don’t watch the first, except to peep in now and then if Anderson is there.
Comment by Cara — October 31, 2005 @ 3:37 pm
I can’t believe CNN would replace a journalist like Aaron Brown with Anderson Cooper, a younger version of Geraldo Rivera. It’s a crime.
Comment by MM — October 31, 2005 @ 7:19 pm
I like AB BUT he is a sleeping pill. Put someone with energy on the air that shows some desire to report/anchor the news. Heck as I type this Paula Zahn is anchoring NN and doing it with alot of energy. That’s all I give a hoot about, the news and energy by the person anchoring.
Comment by Anon — October 31, 2005 @ 11:08 pm