Whither MSNBC?
The NY Post’s Don Kaplan rains on Dan Abrams’ parade by questioning whether MSNBC should even exist anymore…
ONCE again, NBC is try ing to fix its ailing cable news channel, MSNBC, with a management shake-up.
But behind the backs of network bosses, TV people are wondering if the channel is even worth keeping around.Is MSNBC necessary?
“It’s really running third in a two-horse race,” says Reese Schoenfeld, who co-founded CNN.
Since when does CNN triple or quadruple msnbc in anything? Never. CNN doesn’t even double or triple CNN Headline News a lot of the time Run those figures past Paula Zahn and Nancy Grace. Fox is the only channel that doubles, triples, and quadruples the other channels more than regularly.
And quoting Reese Schoenfeld who was at CNN just long enough to tell Katie Couric she had no future in TV news? Really lame. I take Schoenfeld and his 15 minutes at CNN as seriously as I take this story. Not very.
The writer and Schoenfeld deserve each other.
Comment by Vlae — June 14, 2006 @ 10:44 am
I’ve read the story and agree that the reporter didn’t get it right on the ratings part of the story. It’s another example of sloppy reporting, and I don’t think it’s too much for readers to ask that writers insert a comma or two, or add a few words to make sure stories are accurate.
And given the advantages MSNBC has recently had over CNN with younger viewers during evening programs, I think they are most definitely necessary, and should stay around on cable as a news network. The more choices and outlets, the better.
Comment by Matthew — June 14, 2006 @ 12:28 pm
I happen to like some of the programs on MSNBC, as I also happen to like some of the programs on Fox, but not any progams on CNN of late.
Comment by sam — June 14, 2006 @ 2:34 pm
Even if they run a test pattern 24/7, MSNBC isn’t going anywhere for one HUGE reason:
Fox would take the vacant channel space on your cable system to finally start their business channel and compete with CNBC.
Comment by Ira — June 14, 2006 @ 7:32 pm
“Is MSNBC necessary”?
Better we should ask: “Is the NY Post necessary?”
Comment by tanne — June 14, 2006 @ 8:27 pm
A lot of younger guys are watching “Countdown” as well as my Boomer age group. We love the way the news is delivered when Keith is on the show…………when he isn’t, we just change the channel.
Comment by jan — June 15, 2006 @ 11:47 am
The answer my friend is blowing in the wind…
Part of the answer can be found by asking the question “Where would the viewers go if MSNBC ceased to exist?” ‘Crimetime in Primetime’ is a case in point; but Friday is probably the worst night to get a real gage of this, as the audience on all the channels and networks is generally lower than the rest of the week, and thus different in composition. However, I think most of those Friday CIP viewers probably come from non-news channels, and very few regular MSNBC viewers stay. My guess is that most regular MSNBC viewers go to CNN or non-news programming, or turn the TV off. CIP does give MSNBC viewers a chance to sample what else is out there. Does anyone know of actual audience stats on the CIP experiment that answer these questions? Maybe MSNBC should try CIP on different nights. They actually did try Monday out once on Memorial Day, while the other news channels kept their regular schedules, albeit with some reruns and best ofs.
Comment by erljr — June 15, 2006 @ 6:24 pm