CNN and FNC cover last minute details in execution of Hussein…MSNBC interviews John Edwards…
Since the top of the 7pm hour both CNN and FNC have been locked in a steel cage death match to see who can get the latest details in the execution of Saddam Hussein out first. Meanwhile over on MSNBC, Chris Matthews is interviewing John Edwards in a taped interview. In MSNBC’s defence, Saddam ain’t dead yet so to break tape at this point isn’t going to break a lot of pertinent news. But this sword cuts two ways because if you don’t break tape to cover the little details you set yourself up to be the network perceived to be not covering the story and therefore when the big news does break the viewers are going to be watching elsewhere because they’ll think you’re still in tape. But the Edwards interview is something of a get for Matthews so delaying it could be problematic for MSNBC.
UPDATE: A very odd sight just now near the end of Hardball. Chris Matthews was doing a segment on Gerald Ford but the lower thirds blared “Saddam awaiting execution”…
UPDATE 2: The MSN MSNBC board is in an uproar over MSNBC running tape with few updates.
The Situation Room is simulcasted now on CNN International and CNN en Espanol bringin the news for several million people around the world.
Comment by Rodrigo — December 29, 2006 @ 8:39 pm
MSNBC’s gone to Countdown’s celebreation of more Oddball segments, instead of doing live coverage repeating what will probably happen in roughly 2 hours and filling up time with that.
Comment by Chris — December 29, 2006 @ 9:11 pm
I would so much rather be watching MSNBC right now but they are airing all tape - at the moment that means a rerun of the second part of the Oddball clip show. It’s not even a news channel anymore - they just don’t bother to cover news.
Comment by Elle Kasey — December 29, 2006 @ 9:22 pm
Just what we need several milloin more morons.
Comment by mike — December 29, 2006 @ 9:26 pm
The 8pm hour is really awful. I can understand airing the John Edwards interview, but a taped Oddball? and let’s not forget, it’s Friday, which means the Doc Block is Supersized starting at 9.
UGH!
Comment by Brent — December 29, 2006 @ 9:36 pm
I bet CNN will be airing CNN/I overnight.
Comment by Big Dave — December 29, 2006 @ 9:37 pm
MSNBC cut into tape for a special report at 9. OMG!
Comment by Brent — December 29, 2006 @ 10:09 pm
Considering I’m sure that is all that is going to be run I can’t blame MSNBC. Obviously they didn’t miss much news.
Comment by Chad — December 29, 2006 @ 11:01 pm