Dan Abrams on SOTU coverage…
Dan Abrams internal memo to staff on MSNBC’s SOTU coverage…
From: Abrams, Dan
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 4:46 PM
To: @MSNBC Everyone
Subject:Wow. What a night for MSNBC! We already knew that our State of the Union coverage was by far the most interesting and comprehensive, but now we learn that we beat CNN handily in the key demographic for the night as well. In fact at 11 pm, we beat both Fox and CNN!
On an evening as important as this one, this victory represents a crucial turning point for this network. So many people deserve so much credit– from the dayside team that started us off with the “all politics” coverage led by Susan Sullivan and Meghan Schaefer, to the NBC and MSNBC anchors who hosted those hours throughout the day, to the prime time teams led by Bill Wolff, Izzy Povich and Chris Licht, and of course, to our all-star political team led by the tireless executive producer of the day and night, Tammy Haddad. Tammy and her team must be singled out for their leadership and hard work resulting in a day that should make us all proud.
A special thanks to Tim Russert, Brian Williams, Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell, Ann Curry, David Gregory, Campbell Brown, Chip Reid, Tucker Carlson, Norah O’Donnell and Phil Alongi. Joe Scarborough’s coverage from the floor and late-night anchoring also helped distinguish us.
Finally, this night could not have been this kind of success without our tremendous anchor tag team of Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews. The “Count-ball” team provided the best insight in the business, asked the most pointed and relevant questions, and kept the coverage focused. They are truly leaders as we head into 2008.We -ARE- the place for politics.
Congratulations to everyone,
Dan
A special thanks to Tim Russert, Brian Williams, Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell, Ann Curry, David Gregory, Campbell Brown, Chip Reid, Tucker Carlson, Norah O’Donnell and Phil Alongi. Joe Scarborough’s coverage from the floor and late-night anchoring also helped distinguish us.
what about chris jansing???
Comment by jman — January 24, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
I think Abrams was referring to prime time coverage and Jansing was not a part of that.
Comment by Spud — January 24, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
On second thought, Abrams mentioned Curry and Curry wasn’t part of primetime either. So you have a point! Why not mention Chris Jansing?
Comment by Spud — January 24, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
It’s a damn shame how Chris Jansing is treated. She’s one of the most talented people in the news business and is basically an afterthought at her own channel.
Comment by Steve — January 24, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
During sotu you had one million + watching. fnc had 4= million + watching.
Did you tell your staff that?
Comment by mack weatherman — January 24, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
#4 I agree about Jansing.
Comment by Terance — January 24, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
Ann Curry got the special thanks because she is an NBC anchor who assisted MSNBC’s coverage during the day. The others participated in the prime time coverage. Jansing is treated well at MSNBC, look at her salary!
Comment by Dan — January 24, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
The demo again. What happens when we all turn 55; will the TV people be putting us out to pasture?
And Dan, what is Chris’s salary?
Comment by Missy — January 24, 2007 @ 8:19 pm
Spud: I’m curious.
Are these so-called “Internal Memos” really press releases or do you have some sort of pipeline inside MSNBC?
Comment by Ira — January 24, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
Internal Memos are just that; memos sent out internally through a news orgs email system. Not intended for public consumption. But as they way in D.C., “Leaks happen”…
And Missy, it’s none of our business what Chris makes. If they don’t want to publicize it, we have no business speculating. But I think it’s probably money well spent.
Comment by Spud — January 24, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
Spud, I know that; Dan made the comment in post #8 as if her salary was common knowledge (but not to me).
Comment by Missy — January 24, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
He was speculating. I doubt he knows.
Comment by Spud — January 24, 2007 @ 9:37 pm
hi dan- we miss you terribly. Re: the duke rape case,why haven’t we heard anything about the gand jury juror who said he’d have voted differently if he’d known what he now knows? Also what can we all do about getting the border patrol guards pardonned? I hear only the republicans are trying to do that. why is this not in the interest of the democrats? to whom can i write to help get them out of jail. we all love tucker and willie but you are sorely missed. cheri kushner
Comment by cheri kushner — February 7, 2007 @ 8:52 pm
Dan, I miss your show. Very professional and ethical.
Chris Jansing is my all-time favorite news person. I listen to her without fail.
Comment by Gerry Adcock — February 24, 2007 @ 11:45 am