Gallup polls public about News and Talk personalities…
Gallup has released a new poll on News and Talk personalities. What’s interesting about this poll is that some personalities generated a positive favorable/unfavorable rating and yet are not that well known overall.
The net favorable measure of each personality represents the percentage with a favorable rating minus the percentage with an unfavorable rating. ABC’s Diane Sawyer has the highest overall net favorable rating of those tested in the poll, with a net of +69 (80% favorable, 11% unfavorable). Following Sawyer are Charles Gibson (+47), Matt Lauer (+45), Dan Rather (+44), Regis Philbin (+43), Bob Schieffer (41%), and Brian Williams (+40).
Next, ranking closer to the middle of the group, are Barbara Walters (+38), Couric (+37), Anderson Cooper (+34), Meredith Vieira (+29), Lou Dobbs (+28), and Larry King (+27). Bill O’Reilly has a net positive favorable rating of +10.
Three personalities have net negative ratings — Geraldo Rivera (-23), Star Jones Reynolds (-26), and Rosie O’Donnell (-28).
The poll also breaks down favorability by the people who know of the personality and also by ideological bent.
UPDATE: The Huffington Post writes up the story with a banner sure to make CNN wince…
Interesting to see that, despite the hate for AC amongst many, he is quite popular. And look at that number for Dan Rather…wow!
Comment by Anonmyous — August 8, 2006 @ 1:44 pm
I am somewhat surprised by Rather’s high numbers given the intense dislike of him by many Republicans and conservatives. Also, the fact that in the ratings, CBS’s numbers went up when he left and Schiefer took over. (although they are still third)
As for Anderson Cooper, most people that watch cable news probably do like him at least somewhat. His coverage of the Katrina aftermath was good. However, he is the highest rated personality (on some nights) on a network that isn’t watched as much as it was in the past (and in spite of the huge promotional machine going for him). The fact that many people still don’t know who he is should not be completely unexpected.
Comment by Scott — August 8, 2006 @ 4:35 pm
“I am somewhat surprised by Rather’s high numbers given the intense dislike of him by many Republicans and conservatives.”
That’s the first thing that jumped out at me. He even has a 48% favorable rating among republicans which astounds me.
The other thing was how little favorability ratings affect tv ratings.
Comment by Steve — August 8, 2006 @ 5:02 pm
No Sheppard Smith?
Comment by daubermaus — August 8, 2006 @ 5:13 pm
Anderson Cooper has the second highest % of “never heard of” responses on that list; he’s the most unheard of man on the list. Kind of a wake up call to the head of CNN, isn’t it? All the eggs are in a basket nobody’s heard of.
Comment by Chris — August 8, 2006 @ 5:37 pm
“Anderson Cooper has the second highest % of “never heard of” responses on that list; he’s the most unheard of man on the list.”
39% have never heard of him; 38% have never heard of Brian Williams. Oops, NBC… putting all those eggs in the same basket?
You’ll note that the ones with the lowest ‘never heard of’ rating have either been around a long looooong time (Dan Rather, Barbara Walters) or are on morning television. Make of that what you will.
Comment by Arthur — August 8, 2006 @ 6:56 pm