FNC in a decline?
ChronWatch’s Ira Simmons speculates about trouble at the #1 cable news channel. Some of Simmons’ points I think are non starters, particularly points 1 and 2 that there are too few Democratic politicians on the network and the same old Republican politicians on the network. Those “same old Republican politicians” (who aren’t exclusive contractual contributors of FNC) are also the same old Republican politicians that show up on CNN and MSNBC.
5. The Weekend Decline
Geraldo Rivera is disliked by many Fox viewers especially Bill O’Reilly Premium Members. But since he left his 10 PM ET weekend slot to start the syndicated Geraldo at Large, the ratings have slumped. Although she was reportedly a pill behind the scenes, the departure of Rita Cosby to MSNBC also contributed to the weekend decline. Thus far Kimberly Guilfoyle has not set the world on fire with The Lineup and the jury is still out on other recent weekend personnel changes including Jamie Colby and Julie Banderas anchoring 1-2 hours both days and Trace Gallagher doing Shepard Smith’s newscasts.
For some reason I had high expectations for Kimberly…but her show is flat and nothing special. And I agree about Geraldo & Rita, they seem to catch a lot of insults yet the weekend has been worse than usual since they left.
Comment by Terance — July 15, 2006 @ 11:22 am
I agree with the comments about F+F Weekend. I can’t take more than a few minutes of watching. Why would FOX put two dimwits with cleavage on and then just let them loose. It feels like watching a high school production. They replaced the wrong anchor.
Comment by fox fan — July 15, 2006 @ 11:58 am
Spud: Thanks for the plug.
Since I began writing on the blog section of Chronwatch, I didn’t think the search engines were finding my stories.
Comment by Ira — July 15, 2006 @ 12:53 pm
I agree, since Geraldo & Rita left the weekend evenings really stink! The daytime people I usually like, but the folks they’ve had in the evening time slots are bad! Especially Julie Banderas! eeewww!
Comment by Catie — July 15, 2006 @ 3:13 pm
“Bill Crystal?”
No semi-regular FNC watcher should make that mistake - especially with Kristol in the News Corp bloodline.
Fox’s problem: The novelty of a conservative sandbox evaporates when they’re also the ruling class and leaders have sub-40 poll numbers.
Comment by steve — July 15, 2006 @ 3:46 pm
Since I began writing on the blog section of Chronwatch, I didn’t think the search engines were finding my stories.
HA. I had wondered if that was you. I was thinking Ira, Ira, Ira…I wonder…
Now I’m glad I rewrote that before I posted it. One internet fight this week is enough for me… :P
Comment by Spud — July 15, 2006 @ 4:59 pm
Maybe, Fox News should do away with the weekend editions of “Fox & Friends” and place two, maybe three hours of hard news each day on Saturday and Sunday. This should the Donna Fiducias and Uma Pemmarajus their shot at hosting on a regular basis again.
Comment by Bob — July 15, 2006 @ 7:06 pm
This morning, while FNC had its usual two hours (10-12 ET) of Saturday morning arguing heads, CNN had continuous live coverage from all over the Middle East, including switching to their international service for part of the coverage. It certainly was more interesting and worthwhile than yet another episode of the same people arguing with one another ad infinitim.
Comment by Dave Marshall — July 15, 2006 @ 8:54 pm
FNC on the decline? It’s been on the decline since the beginning. They will do anything to get people to watch. Look at their ‘news’ programming. Is it news? Is yelling and screaming and commentary and debating news? Is acting like fools on a so called cable news morning show news? NO. Just call me old fashion but I want straight news. Give me the facts and leave out all the debating and BS.
Comment by Cable News Watcher — July 15, 2006 @ 9:49 pm
The facts are FNC can lose half their ratings and still be ahead of CNN. Obviously the core FNC audience isn’t high on news from all sides. But, this isn’t about news anyway. Its about hype, fear, and, only listening to what you like. Think of the cable news race as music. Why would you listen to country if you like rap? Both sides think the other is crap.
Comment by Terance — July 16, 2006 @ 9:25 am
The weekend Fox & Friends is a disaster. I thought that replacing Julian might be a good move, but it seems that the chemistry between the three hosts this weekend is actually worse than it was with Julian there. I think that I know what the problem is-Fox has got two devout Christian folks (Molly and Kelly)on with Kiran Chetry. Now, if there’s anything that’s obvious about Kiran, I’d think that it’s safe to say that she has never given us any reason to think that she spends much time thinking of Biblical things. Just an observation. She likes a lot of stuff that offends Christian folks, like gay movies, shows about Playboy Bunnies and the ever-so-lewd rap/hip hop scene. I’d say that there’s quite a clash between Kiran and her co-hosts this weekend. You’ll notice the lack of conversation/small talk amongst the trio. This matchup isn’t going to work either.
Comment by california dreamin — July 16, 2006 @ 10:34 am
“Think of the cable news race as music. Why would you listen to country if you like rap? Both sides think the other is crap.”
That’s a very good analogy, Terance. But it’s alarming to me how many people want their news direct from the White House. I prefer the media to stay in watchdog mode.
Comment by Arthur — July 16, 2006 @ 12:30 pm
Steve: I realized the spelling error after the column was gone. Maybe it is because I am not much of a “Kristol” fan, but still no excuse. It will be corrected.
Cable News Watcher: I never used the word “decline,” “slump” is more appropriate. You seem so full of vitriol for Fox that it is difficult to engage in any sort of dialogue.
Comment by Ira — July 16, 2006 @ 8:33 pm
california dreamin: As I hinted in the column, restore Mike Jerrick and Juliet Huddy with Julian Phillips to Fox and Friends Weekend. They all played well together.
Linda Vester is still listed on the Fox website: bring her back to Dayside. Send Camerota back to Boston and give Chetry the Fox and Friends First hour and little else.
Comment by Ira — July 16, 2006 @ 10:08 pm
Ira obviously doesn’t follow the ratings very closely as those of us who work in the industry do. Fox has more viewers to lose which is why Fox will be down more when there’s not a lot of news going on.
Comment by Chris — July 16, 2006 @ 10:58 pm
Chris: Re-read the second paragraph.
Comment by Ira — July 16, 2006 @ 11:01 pm