August Numbers: Robin & Company owns Morning Joe…
HLN’s Robin & Company bested MSNBC and its Morning Joe program in both the P2+ and P25-54 categories. This is the first time in more than two years (July 2005) that HLN has surpassed MSNBC in P2+ in the morning.
P2+
6-10a Robin & Co. 212,000
6-9a Morning Joe 206,000
P25-54
6-10a Robin & Co. 95,000
6-9a Morning Joe 74,000
No spin from the MSNBC PR types on the “great success” that is Morning Joe?????? I’m shocked! I thought they could put a fancy spin on almost anything.
Comment by Alison — August 28, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
Go Robin! I’d watch her over MJ *ANYDAY* of the week…I’m surprised MSNBC hasn’t replaced this dud with a morning-time edition of their “fantastic” doc-block.
Comment by Anonymous — August 28, 2007 @ 3:40 pm
Don’t you mean their “highly-rated” doc block?
Comment by Alison — August 28, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Morning Joe is the most-talked about but least-watched morning show! They say any publicity can be good, but this is not working for joe.
Comment by jmkaib — August 28, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
I’m still waiting for Imus to return (an announcement should be coming soon) but have stopped to watch a little Joe over the past month and it is awful. I’m honestly not saying that because I don’t like MSNBC anymore, which is true - it’s just that the show is that bad. Poor Joe is in over his head and Mika adds nothing.
I’ve been listening to the Best of Imus cds I got from a fellow I-Fan and listen to them in the morning now. When Imus comes back, Morning Joe will be in worse trouble…can he get his job back or has Dan taken over for good? How can he be a GM and do a show well…can’t.
Comment by Mel — August 28, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
Maybe Joe can become the GM.
Comment by jmkaib — August 28, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
Imus is NEVER coming back to MSNBC. Deal with it…
Comment by Spud — August 28, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
Of course he’s not coming back to MSNBC! Thank goodness. He’s coming back elsewhere as you’ll find out shortly.
Comment by Mel — August 28, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
Every day it becomes clearer and clearer just how terrible the MSNBC decision to cancel Imus was. With Mourning Joe struggling to hold on to 4th in a 4 position race. NBC hypocrisy alone is enough to make you want to gag.
Thank God Imus is never going back to MSNBC. Imus deserves a network that will promote the show, not bury it. Imus will benefit from executive management who will support him.
Comment by channelXRFR — August 28, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
People are still boycotting MSNBC. They bit the hand that feeds them and lost. This will not be discussed in the media, but the boycott of Imus viewers is very real.
Comment by Tom — August 28, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Wow, like the Imus viewers really made a dent! Ohh, what will we do with all those MILLIONS of Imus Fans! I doubt Imus fans really watched MSNBC that much anyways. They prefer coke-nosed cowboys.
Comment by Hillswill — August 28, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
NOT only are people still BOYCOTTING MSDNC, they are starting to see the political agenda behind the lynching of the “racist” Imus. His take on 08 is being widely awaited. Some TRUTH TO POWER coming & overdue.
Comment by ditmar — August 28, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
Ha, I’m sure Imus is NOT coming back to MSNBC. For one, why would he want to return to a network with idiots running it and with so few viewers they have to make up these stories about their “growth”. And two, his fans are waiting for his return somewhere else but in the same timeslot so MSNBC can be left with no viewers to speak of. MSNBC dissed me personally when they took Imus off the air and I am no less outraged today than I was in April.
Comment by Anne B — August 28, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
You can doubt Imus’s influence all you want, but look at the numbers. Look at how he could push a book to number one. Look at how he could sell a music group’s album. Look at how he could build a ranch for kids with cancer or a treatment facility for wounded soldiers. There is truth to this boycott and guess what, it is much worse that Sharpton’s boycott ever could have been. His supporters never watched Imus anyway.
Comment by Tom — August 28, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
The boycott of MSNBC continues and I don’t think any of us think Imus will return to there. First of all, I don’t see any reason why he would want to. And, secondly, my hope is he appears soon in the same timeslot in competition with MSNBC’s Mourning Joe. I took it very personally when MSNBC took my favorite program off the air and it continues to anger me. So I personally will be glad to see them go even lower, if possible — so low that the false stories of their “growth” will be even more laughable.
Comment by Anne B — August 28, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
sharpton threatened boycott to sponsors, the fans delivered the real deal to MSDNC. I certainly hope sponsors NEVER buy into sharptons hypocritical race baiting BS again. Surely they realize how the market is driven, & what drives al. Hard to believe sharpton has ANY credibility with his history.
Comment by ditmar — August 28, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
The hypocrisy of MSNBC’s decision to fire Don Imus has come home to roost, and this debacle will only intensify with Imus’s imminent return to the air. Imus fans (who undoubtedly outnumber the entire MSNBC viewing audience) are glad that he will not return to this sorry cable station. The one word most used in reference to Morning Joe is “unwatchable.” Aren’t you glad you listened to Al Sharpton and Al Roker?
Comment by Percy — August 28, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
MSNBC has killed its 9 ET slot and now all of its morning slots. Joe should have stayed on @ 9et b/c dan gets even worse ratings, and now Joe might have killed his media career with this move to mornings.
Comment by Aaron — August 28, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
Imus is a former cocaine addict. Back in the day, all the executives thought he would die. Imus is nothing more than some old hag. Joe is a young, fresh, plastic, face. Mika is the best news anchor on tv, no doubt. As for other msnbc people, Chris Matthews is awesome and tucker is a smart guy, realizing how evil the extremist Republicans are. Keith Olbermann is way more factual than Bill Orally. Bill never admits mistakes. Dan Abrams is much better than H&C. FNC pushes around Alan Colmes, and he just takes it. It is not fair and balanced. Murdoch is a crazy capitalist. I don’t care that he gave money to President Hillary Clinton. Hillary in 08!!!
Comment by Hillswill — August 28, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
19# Keep telling yourself that, and try clicking your heels together at the sametime. Imus has been ranked number 3 on talk radio personalities, who isn’t going to hire him is a better question. Joe and Mika are tired….let them sleep in. Tucker and Willie Geist, are the only two that are watchable on MSNBC/MSDNC. When Imus left last April, he took his audience with him, Imus entire Audience btw 2.5 and 3 million radio listeners and tv simulcast viewers. We are highly sought after demographic, we have disposable income and we do spend. It takes 21 days to make anything a habit ask a marketer.
Comment by Ree — August 28, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Hillswill: You are delusional!!
Comment by Anne B — August 28, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
I have nothing against Joe or any other MSNBC host with the exception of Olberbratt, but I will not watch the network after what they did to Imus. They danced with the devil “sharpton” and lost. As Hillswill shows, taking Imus down was definitely a main part of Hillary’s agenda.
Comment by Sid — August 28, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
Scarborough was decent at night, but there is just something smarmy about him in the morning. Add to it the fact that Mika is not real well loved by many of us, and you have Willie Geist holding up the program (when he’s there). And if they’re using him, they may as well use Tucker, too, because these two were a excellent combination and did a great job in the morning slot.
And #19, I don’t agree with a word you’ve said!
Comment by Missy — August 28, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
“an” excellent combination
Comment by Missy — August 28, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
I wouldn’t worry about #19… in addition to not agreeing with some of the things he/she said, some of the things are blatently false.
But 10 bucks says we never see them back here again, so what’s the point.
Comment by ImNotBlue — August 28, 2007 @ 10:23 pm
Spud: We (Imus fans) have absolutely nothing to deal with - the I-man is returning. MSNBC is the one that has to deal - they will have to deal with even LOWER ratings when the few people watching Mourning Joe, leave to listen to Imus.!
Hillswill, I mean Dan Abrams: talk about delusional…..yes, you are - along with so many other appropriate adjectives, they are too numerous to name.
Comment by Linda S — August 28, 2007 @ 10:47 pm
Hillswill, how much exactly is MSNBC paying you to spew that baloney. I for one am still boycotting MSNBC and every advertiser that bailed on him. I periodically write and remind them I will not buy their products again until I hear their adds on Imus new show.
You can believe what you want, but people who used to snort coke can go on to do great things, even become president.
Comment by JoeM — August 29, 2007 @ 12:01 am
Imus in the Morning/03-29-07: 411,000
Morning Joe (or whatever it was called)/04-24-07: 207,000
Morning Joe 08-28-07: 206,000
So there you go.
Comment by Anne B — August 29, 2007 @ 6:36 am
when Imus returns, Morning Joe’s numbers will deteriorate further. You can take that to the bank. I don’t believe, for a minute, Dan Abrams is not aware of that. It was a bad business decision to remove Imus. Period.
Comment by cas — August 29, 2007 @ 7:08 am
I’m not surprised by these ratings. I gave up on Morning Joe a while ago. It’s boring. I thought David Gregory and Tucker/Willie were the best but somehow Morning Joe was settled on quickly? Why? Did Abrams want back on TV? I do worry Joe will be out of work here soon. Mika is so annoying and doesn’t help him but I’m afraid nobody can. Whatever happened to Ridley? I pass by and he never seems to be there anymore? Robin puts on a solid show, she’s very beautiful and not annoying like Mika.
Comment by moonbeam — August 29, 2007 @ 9:23 am
Moonbeam,
Multichannel comments on this subject Joe Scarbrough being picked to replace Imus in the Morning Slot. The comments about why John Ridley, is not on anymore. Commentors are pointing to Lynn Pitts, that John Ridley, was critizing Jesse Jackson, about his statements about the Duke LAX players. Lynn Pitts idea of diversity? No more John Ridley.
http://www.nsbienstock.com/placements-top.htm
Comment by Ree — August 29, 2007 @ 10:10 am
All,
The Commentors on Multichannel are pointing at Lynn Pitts for being the reason John Ridley is not seen anymore. Scroll down to the last comment and work back.
http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=talkbackCommentsFull&talk_back_header_id=6446771&articleid=CA6452514#67798
Comment by Ree — August 29, 2007 @ 10:14 am
So Ridley is gone for good? Not that I really care. I read it’s just a copycat of Imus in the Morning but politically correct which equals boring morning tv.
Comment by moonbeam — August 29, 2007 @ 10:31 am
It’s already been said but Morning Joe is unwatchable. It’s like Katie Couric not being good at night but being good in the morning. Joe was decent at night but the morning doesn’t work. They need to scrap the entire show and start fresh. I’m happy to hear Imus in the Morning will be back soon, can’t be soon enough for me.
Comment by J M — August 29, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Moonbeam,
If the speculation is true, why John Ridley is not seen anymore on Morning Joe, it leads to the next question. If this is true, does it mean that Jesse Jackson, is directing who can and who cannot be on air at MSNBC, through Lynn Pitts? I think that is significant, MSNBC part of NBCU belongs to GE who have shareholders. I don’t think any outside entity, should have this kind of control over any network, if it is true. I would like an answer about the Duke LAX players, from Sharpton and Jackson. Have you heard them comment on the Duke LAX players, since they were found INNOCENT?
Comment by Ree — August 29, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Imus was a media legend and barely hit 60,000 25-54 two years into his MSNBC gig. Joe has been in that time slot for 3 months.. take a deep breath. It seems pretty clear they haven’t even settled on a format yet… it’s ths summer. Let’s all meet here in 1 year.
Comment by frank — August 29, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
frank, do you work for msnbc?
Comment by jmkaib — August 29, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
Frank - who watched MSNBC 8-9 years ago when Imus first came on?! 60k was probably their biggest audience. The thing is Morning Joe is not good whether or not Imus comes back or not. I like Joe and feel badly for him because this is not a good move for his future. I hate to see him w/out a show in a year.
Comment by Mel — August 29, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
Frank,
Imus was on the radio long before MSNBC. MSNBC is trying to find a radio simulcast for Mourning Joe, so far no takers.
Imus was also on 70 Radio Channels he had btw 2.5 and 3 million listeners and viewers. Imus used to brag, when he would beat CNN, he would say and this- Imus in the Morning, is a radio show. Joe Scarborough is NO Don Imus. I think it is unfair for MSNBC to put Joe, on in their morning slot.
Comment by Ree — August 29, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
Yeah, Frank, it does seem pretty clear they haven’t settled on a format yet. They are still trying to use Imus’ format. How long do they get to practice? But, hey, it doesn’t make a bit of difference what they do with Morning Joe. MSNBC is in the past for Imus and as it has been said, “that chapter is over but the book isn’t done.” I can hardly wait.
Comment by Anne B — August 29, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
I once worked there.. out the business now– but still a loyal viewer.. and even like reading this blog!
Comment by frank — August 30, 2007 @ 3:33 pm
I tuned in MJ and Mika was back, click! Snoozefest
Comment by moonbeam — September 4, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
So whos better? Morning Joe is passable, back when Ridley was on. They gave Tamron Hall a shot and she lit up the screen - good! Then they dropped her. What??? Now Mika’s back, which is not a move forward, although for once, Joe allowed her to get through her news segment without the mindless babbling interjections. Ro&Co is my choice for a lot of reasons not the least of which is she’s got me hypnotized. Pretty much the only reason I watch HN — otherwise it’s just no fun hearing the same 3 news stories in a loop until I’m out the door.
Comment by Dev — September 5, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
ITS BORING JOE NOT MORNING JOE !
Comment by JP — September 8, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
The problem with morning joe is willie geist– he’s a human sedative— more interesting watching glue dry.
Comment by joann — November 3, 2007 @ 11:31 pm