There’s a new site up to support Don Imus…

In the removal of Don Imus from CBS Radio and MSNBC, we believe that a series of fundamental principles has been violated, and those that are celebrating a victory by his removal from broadcasting have not yet realized the impact of their actions if we are to have a just society free of racism and double standards.

WE STATE THAT WE SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE OPINION OF THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED TO REMOVE DON IMUS FROM THE AIRWAVES AND OUR LIVES. WE ASK THAT YOU READ ON AND FAIRLY CONSIDER OUR VIEWPOINT AS WELL, AS A JUST & REASONABLE COMPROMISE IS POSSIBLE.

Accepting and acknowledging the full extent of the offense caused by Don Imus’ recent comments, we, the undersigned, still believe the remedy put in place is excessive, unfair and wrong.

Further, the only way to rectify this mistake and avoid creating a First Amendment-crushing precedent is to reinstate Don Imus and his staff and return the ‘Imus in the Morning’ program to the air as soon as possible, perhaps following additional suspension and other remuneration.

Broadcasting & Cable’s Michael Malone writes about NAB 2007…

A lively discussion at RTNDA on the internet and the election, moderated by Hardball host Chris Matthews, picked apart new media’s and the citizen journalist’s role in deciding who will be the next president. Titled “Upload, Download, and Overload: 2008 Election Media Strategy”, the session addressed the issue of responsibility in how bloggers choose to support or eviscerate candidates, and how social networking sites like MySpace and YouTube sway voters.

Aftaer the standing room-only ballroom was treated to YouTube videos of candidates committing humiliating gaffes (including Hillary Clinton’s tone-deaf take on the national anthem), Steve Capus, head of NBC News, said he likes the fact that “there’s no place to hide” in a world where so much of the public has a camera phone or blog. “Seeing and hearing [the candidates] in their worlds – I’m all for it,” he said. “But what’s [the posters’] motivation?”

Jeff Jarvis, who runs the influential buzzmachine.com blog, credited user-generated video with enabling the public to bypass traditional media. “It changes the equation radically,” he said. “They can go around you, Chris Matthews.”

Shepard Smith continues to anchor coverage in Virginia, and will appear tomorrow morning on “FOX and Friends” between 7AM- 9AM to provide ongoing updates.

Geraldo Rivera is gathering stories of personal tragedies from students and community members on the ground at Virginia Tech.
(more…)

CNN’s coverage on the Virginia Tech shooting spree…

Currently approximately 100 personnel are being deployed to Blacksburg, Virginia

Programming Notes:

- CNN correspondents Brianna Keilar and John Zarrella have arrived on-location and has begun live phone reports for the network.
- Chief national correspondent John King will anchor Anderson Cooper 360 live from the region this evening at 10 p.m. (ET).
- Larry King Live – Interview with Oprah Winfrey pre-empted. Larry King will be live from New York for a live program in the aftermath of the shooting.
- John Roberts and Kiran Chetry will anchor American Morning from Blacksburg, Virginia tomorrow, Tuesday, April 17, 2007.
- CNN.com has created a special section at cnn.com/virginiatech
- CNNRadio brings you coverage of the shootings at Virginia Tech, with an anchored, one-hour live program, live reporters and special reports.

Correspondents enroute/arrived:
(more…)

FNC’s coverage plans…

- Shepard Smith will be live tonight from the Blacksburg/Virginia Tech area to host The Fox Report from 7-8PM. He will also be there live tomorrow.
- Greta Van Susteren will host On the Record live tonight from Virginia Tech for an extended 2 hours from 10PM-12AM.
- Geraldo Rivera is en route and will provide reports from Blacksburg as soon as he is able to get there. Additionally, he will be live tonight from 12AM-2AM from Blacksburg/VA Tech area with a special edition of Geraldo At Large
- O’Reilly will be live at 8PM with The O’Reilly Factor
- Hannity & Colmes will have reports for correspondents in Blacksburg tonight (9-10PM).
- Megyn Kelly will be hosting America’s Newsroom (9-11am) tomorrow from Blacksburg
- DC talent Molly Henneberg and Caroline Shively will be providing live reports from Blacksburg for all programs beginning this afternoon and will continue through at least tomorrow
- FOX & Friends will start an hour earlier tomorrow at 5am, with Geraldo co-hosting live from VA.

Cable News Ratings for April 13, 2007

P2+ Total Day
FNC – 922,000 viewers
CNN – 468,000 viewers
MSNBC – 331,000 viewers
CNBC – 214,000 viewers
HLN – 229,000 viewers

P2+ Prime Time
FNC – 1,770,000 viewers
CNN – 850,000 viewers
MSNBC – 486,000 viewers
CNBC – a scratch with 117,000 viewers
HLN – 416,000 viewers

25-54 Total Day
FNC – 224,000 viewers
CNN – 155,000 viewers
MSNBC –132,000 viewers
CNBC – 87,000 viewers
HLN – 105,000 viewers

25-54 Prime Time
FNC – 317,000 viewers
CNN – 225,000 viewers
MSNBC – 191,000 viewers
CNBC – 60,000 viewers
HLN –144,000 viewers

Morning programs P2+ (25-54)
FOX & Friends – 817,000 viewers (288,000)
American Morning – 321,000 viewers (123,000)
MSNBC Live- 408,000 viewers (179,000)
Robin & Co. – 180,000 viewers (109,000)
(more…)

MSBNC’s tentative coverage plans for the Virginia Tech shooting spree…

MSNBC will have comprehensive coverage throughout its primetime programming tonight. “Hardball” with Chris Matthews, “Countdown” with Keith Olbermann and “Scarborough Country” will all have expanded coverage of the shootings. Tucker Carlson will be reporting from there for all MSNBC programs. Additionally, MSNBC will air a special report at 10 pm ET this evening anchored by Alison Stewart (re-air at 1 am ET).

Linda Vester left a comment on ICN today with an update as to what she’s been doing and answers the skeptics in regards to the reasons for her departure from FNC.

Earlier on CNN Tony Harris interviewed Amy Steel, the editor of the student newspaper at Virginia Tech. Transcript follows (and apologies in advance for the bad formatting)…
(more…)

Greta Van Susteren will be coming from Virginia Tech tonight…

FOX News Channel’s Greta Van Susteren will go “On The Record” live tonight from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA from the site of the tragic shooting of over 20 people on the campus. Greta will host her show live at Virginia Tech this evening, following on-site team coverage of the tragic shooting throughout the day on FNC. “On The Record” airs at 10PM ET.

UPDATE: On the Record is now scheduled to run for two hours tonight…

All the cable nets are covering the shooting spree at Virginia Tech. The story is still unfolding so expect it to dominate the cable news cycle for the rest of the day and on into the week. Post your reactions to the coverage in the comments…

UPDATE: CNN’s Hedi Collins interviewed that student whose video is featured in the grab above. Transcript follows (and apologies in advance for the bad formatting…)
(more…)

..or does Bob usually wear suspenders?

CNBC announced this morning that it will air “The Millionaire Inside: Your Guide to Wealth” Saturday, April 21st at 9pm ET…

The one-hour personal finance program, hosted by CNBC anchor Erin Burnett, brings together four of the most renowned experts in building personal wealth and businesses: David Bach (personal financial strategist), Barbara Corcoran (real estate), Loral Langemeier (entrepreneur) and Phil Town (investor), all of whom are bestselling authors and collectively sold tens of millions of books.

During this program, these self-made millionaires will share their secrets to success and provide the tools necessary to guide viewers on the path of personal wealth.

· David Bach— Author of seven consecutive bestsellers, including his breakout book “The Automatic Millionaire,” David Bach has helped millions of people around the world take action to live and finish rich. Bach carries the unique distinction of having had four of his books appear simultaneously on the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, and USA Today bestseller lists. Bach’s most recent book is the #1 bestseller, “The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner,” which has already sold more than a million copies since the book launched in March 2006.
(more…)

Following up on this, NBC announced this mornging that Keith Olbermann will be joining NBC’s “Football Night in America”…

Keith Olbermann has been named co-host of NBC’s “Football Night in America” studio show, joining host Bob Costas and co-host Cris Collinsworth, and analysts Jerome Bettis and Tiki Barber, it was announced today by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. Olbermann will call highlights and debate the NFL news and issues of the day with his “Football Night in America” colleagues. This will be Olbermann’s first network sports assignment in six years.

NBC Sports will hold a media conference call TODAY at 1 p.m. ET with Ebersol and Olbermann; dial 913/312-1292 to participate.

“Keith helped to elevate the medium of sports television earlier in his career, and now he will add his original style and flair to ‘Football Night in America,’” said Ebersol. “I’m delighted to welcome him back into the NBC Sports family.”

“This will, obviously, be great fun and a great privilege for me,” said Olbermann. “To be reunited with NBC Sports, and Dick, and the entire production team, produces all the warm-and-fuzzies you’d be expecting. And even if they weren’t old friends and colleagues, to get to work with the nonpareil of sportscasters in Bob, and the most insightful and honest of sports analysts in Cris, will be rewarding and challenging. I hope I can hold up my end of the equation.”
(more…)

CNN’s release on Anderson Cooper 360 will be airing from Afghanistan this week…

UPDATE: According to TVNewser this has now been cancelled and Cooper is returning to the US in the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting spree…

CNN’s Anderson Cooper will anchor Anderson Cooper 360° live from Afghanistan for the week of April 16, marking Cooper’s third trip to the embattled nation. He last visited Afghanistan in September 2006 as part of CNN’s extensive coverage of the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

Joining Cooper for the week will be senior international correspondent Nic Robertson in Pakistan and CNN terrorism analyst and al Qaeda expert Peter Bergen. Robertson is currently embedded with U.S. Army near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Pentagon has cautioned against a deadly spring in the region as the Taliban and al Qaeda have regrouped and rearmed at their mountain bases. Anderson Cooper 360º examines these threats as it offers reports on what it is like to live in Afghanistan amid the conflict and with renewed Taliban activity.

The program will also look at the poppy harvest in Afghanistan and the links of opium to Taliban funding. Profits from poppy sales are expected to reach record highs. With extensive interviews with U.S. and Afghan drug officials, the program considers the repercussions and effects of this deadly trade.

Might as well lump all of these into one thread since they’re all on at the same time. What did you think of the Chetry/Roberts pairing on CNN? How did Elisabeth Hasselbeck do on Fox and Friends? What do you think of the two hour David Gregory show on MSNBC that’s been temporarily filling the void left by Don Imus?

NBC’s Dennis Murphy turned in a report for Dateline last night on the behind the scenes at NBC over the Don Imus incident…

It wasn’t until the day after Imus’ slur that NBC News, 30 Rock, Manhattan, went into crisis mode.

The You Tube clip had hit. MSNBC, the news division’s cable operation that aired Imus’s radio show as a simulcast, was getting swamped with outraged viewer complaints.

NBC News President Steve Capus got an urgent intercom buzz from MSNBC’s top exec.

Steve Capus, NBC News President: He told me what it was and I went through the roof. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

Dennis Murphy, Dateline correspondent: This was not just another eye-rolling, “What did he say?” You knew that it was big and had consequences?

Capus: This jumped out unlike anything else he had ever said. And it became very clear that this was incredibly serious.

Phil Griffin, a senior vice-president of NBC News was made point man on the growing Imus crisis.
(more…)

The Hartford Courant’s Roger Catlin writes about Larry King’s big week this week…

“This boggles in the mind because celebrities are made and gone so quick,” King says. “Stories appear one day, and they’re history the next, and I think CNN deals with that all the time. We have to deal with it all the time.”

Usually, it’s up to King, says Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide.

“Larry has earned the right to have tremendous freedom and flexibility to do what he thinks is important,” says Walton. “The public knows he can pick up the phone and call the president. The public knows he can get world leaders to come on his show.”

USA Today’s Peter Johnson interviews King…

Q: Who were the toughest nuts to crack?

A: Robert Mitchum. He just one-worded me. He never would elaborate on any answer.

Bob Hope, who would not get into himself. Everything with Hope, whom I liked, was off the top of his head; there was no inner gut feeling. It would be a stretch to find tougher interviews.

There have been many, many tough interviews when I did man-on-the-street or ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

Q: What’s your single most memorable career moment?

A: Danny Kaye, talking to the mother of a sailor killed in Korea. She called in to my radio show to tell him how much her son loved Danny and how she dusted Danny’s picture next her son’s picture on her television set every day. Danny sang Deenah to her.

TV Week has come out with its annual Most Powerful People in TV News

1. Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO of Fox News
2. Steve Capus, President of NBC News
3. Charles Gibson, Anchor, ABC’s ‘World News’
4. David Westin, President of ABC News
5. Tim Russert, Managing editor and moderator of ‘Meet the Press’ and senior VP and Washington bureau chief for NBC News
6. Keith Olbermann, Host of MSNBC’s ‘Countdown With Keith Olbermann’
7. Sean McManus, President of CBS News
8. Jon Klein, President of CNN/U.S.; Ken Jautz, Executive VP of CNN Worldwide; Jim Walton, President of CNN Worldwide
9. N.S. Bienstock, Talent agency
10. Jon Stewart, Anchor of Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’