Nielsen: Fox News ratings up almost 10% since WH declared war
posted at 9:53 pm on October 26, 2009 by Allahpundit
It’s a nine-percent bump in the two weeks since Anita Dunn’s whine heard ’round the world — in terms of overall audience. Among the coveted 25-54 demographic? A 14-percent bump. Good work, Barry. People keep telling me that this PR offensive by the White House benefits both sides but I don’t see how that’s true. If the goal is to contain Fox by framing the stories it breaks — Van Jones, ACORN, etc — as somehow illegitimate, then every tenth of a point that Fox’s ratings go up undermines that goal. There will come a point where other news nets will follow Fox’s lead simply for business reasons, ideology or no ideology; follow the link, eyeball the list of top 20 news shows, and ask yourself how far we are from that point, really. To put it in perspective: “Red Eye,” at 3 a.m., is beating Campbell Brown at 8 p.m. on CNN in the demo. (Worse, perhaps: Anderson Cooper is getting beat by … re-runs of Nancy Grace.) CNN’s made a noble attempt at semi-objective coverage in primetime while FNC and MSNBC resort to bombthrowers, but this experiment must be near its end. I wonder what they’ll end up putting in the 8 p.m. slot. Some sort of updated version of “Crossfire,” perhaps, with a new, younger, edgier cast? Andrea Tantaros versus Meghan McCain on a nightly basis? I’d watch.
Here’s a quote to ponder. Remember, when they say “last,” they mean out of four networks — CNN, Fox, MSNBC, and Headline News. Quote: “The only CNN show from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. that did not finish last was Larry King, which was third, ahead of the new Joy Behar show on HLN.” Exit question one: How long before CNN’s getting beat by Joy Behar? Exit question two: Glenn Beck is number two in cable news — at 5 p.m. How long before Ailes moves him to primetime?
Blowback
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I thought this was the administration that knew how to deal with enimies and solidify allies?
- The Cat
MirCat on October 26, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Demonstrating your participation and faith in herd mentality. Yet again. Will you ever learn to be an open-minded, critical thinker?
Loxodonta on October 26, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Thanks to CrockObama’s economic policies: 10% unemployment and some claim 17%!!!
So, how is that hope and change working out for ya?
dthorny on October 26, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Sayonara, Shepard Smith. Off to MSDNC with ya.
OhioCoastie on October 26, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Tim Horton’s french fry chef speaks.
thomasaur on October 26, 2009 at 10:42 PM
thomasaur: Hehe,french fry chef speaks!!lol:)
canopfor on October 26, 2009 at 10:58 PM
—
French fries are not available at Tim Hortons.
Dave Rywall on October 26, 2009 at 11:07 PM
dthorny on October 26, 2009 at 11:08 PM
So what do you cook there?
dthorny on October 26, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Obama is learning that the Alinsky way doesn’t work in the Oval Office. Alinsky’s methods only work when they’re done in a stealthy way and when the public isn’t paying attention.
Fox wins.
Obama the marxist loses big.
BottomLine5 on October 26, 2009 at 11:10 PM
As a family man, I don’t see Glenn, who has a radio show from 9am to noon, ending a live primetime show at 10. I just don’t think it makes from a family standpoint. Let him rule the 5 pm slot.
MadCon is right. His gains in primetime would not offset his 5pm dominance.
V15J on October 26, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Maybe people slow down so they can offer their help if it is needed…maybe people want to be a part of the solution of helping instead of just ignoring the terrible situation…maybe people turn their heads to look and then realize that there is something to learn from this so they stay and get involved…maybe people slow down so that they can work together in making sure that no one else gets injured and they can actually make a difference and SAVE AMERICA…
redwhiteblue on October 26, 2009 at 11:12 PM
LOL, Matthews is getting beat by Olby repeats.
L.O.L.
Midas on October 26, 2009 at 11:14 PM
He could pre-record the show.
OhioCoastie on October 26, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Why do you want to split the party!? It’s a recipe for DISASTER!!! Embrace the DIABLO, big tent, etc…
Pablo on October 26, 2009 at 11:16 PM
…says the accident.
LibTired on October 26, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Bingo – they work against the establishment – not for the establishment.
alexwest on October 26, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I don’t see them running two pre-recorded shows consecutively. They need live coverage, with the exception of O’Reilly.
V15J on October 26, 2009 at 11:18 PM
You are conflating the accident with the window.
In case you missed it, let me spell it out: Barry & the Gang are the accident. Fox News is the window through which the accident is visible, the other potential windows (ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, et al) having the shades tightly drawn.
(& yes, I know car windows don’t normally have shades, but my grandpa’s conversion van’s sure did, so yes, the metaphor is not yet mixed which cannot be hoist with its own petard)
fronclynne on October 26, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Obama wants to engage the enemy but doesn’t want to talk to the enemy Fox. My brain hurts.
Mojave Mark on October 26, 2009 at 11:19 PM
I mentioned this earlier. Glenn has said as much several times on radio, as well. TV was never his main concern. He’s not going to give up more family time than he already is, even if Ailes happens to want it at some point. It might work if his family lived in the city, but they have decided home will only be the CT house.
rinohumper on October 26, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Those charts are pretty stunning… And while Fox’s share keeps growing, they have been this dominant for some time (i.e. daytime shows beating other networks’ prime time, etc.). The numbers we’ve seen over the past few years didn’t push them to cover the stories only Fox was covering. I don’t see them doing it now. They’ll just get flushed down the toilet.
By the way, are you completely unaware of how in bed GE (NBC) is with Obama? How many billions they stand to make on health care and cap-and-tax? How Immelt is on Obama’s economic advisory panel, despite being one of the worst CEOs in the country? You can hold out hope for CNN/HLN if you’d like, but don’t be naive enough to think there’s hope for anything that NBC has its hands in.
We’ve all been saying this for a long time. And by all, I mean me, and I know at least a few others around here. I suspect there are contract issues. Hannity is a heavyweight there and I’m sure he has some sort of contract keeping his crappy show hanging on. I’ll grant him that it’s gotten slightly better lately, but it’s still lame. It’s just a rehash of everything we already read/saw during the day, only lacking intelligence and entertainment value. You can tell they’re desperate too, but the weekly, or seemingly daily, format changes. Oh, and he’s just so hip and edgy throwing that football when tossing to commercial.
Normally I’d say bump him and hour and put Greta’s fluff in the 5pm slot… But I’d almost rather watch her than Hannity lately, because she’s not 100% fluff anymore, and she’s not allowing her liberalism to blind her as to what is going on in Washington.
At any rate, what will O’Reilly do if Beck comes to prime time? He will undoubtedly beat O’Reilly’s ratings, and I don’t think Bill would stand for that. If they weren’t friends, I’d say that is the hold up.
RightWinged on October 26, 2009 at 11:20 PM
What? No poutine? Bastards.
Of course, I haven’t been there since it occurred to me that those nitwits put mushrooms in their chili. What is wrong with people?
Pablo on October 26, 2009 at 11:21 PM
You got me. But AtheistRinoPunditHumper was taken.
rinohumper on October 26, 2009 at 11:23 PM
I smell a rat. And no, it’s not you, Sheetrock.
Del Dolemonte on October 26, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Hey this workin’ just as good as that Beck Boycott. Bwaaahh.
BTW, WTF has Van Jones been up to anyway.
Geochelone on October 26, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Thing is, his show doesn’t have to be live. Yeah, he’d have to lose the White House phone, but aside from that, there’s no reason reason he can’t tape the show. In fact, he’s already done it.
Pablo on October 26, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Of course you would.
*face palm*
5u93rm4n on October 26, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Sure he’s taped it. But at the most, once a week for the special Doctors or Moms shows. He’s a live show sort of guy. He knows it, the higher-ups know it. So does his audience.
rinohumper on October 26, 2009 at 11:31 PM
What, you couldn’t get to a rest stop in time?
Jim Treacher on October 26, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Maybe the phone sitter in the Mao suit – could still sit by the live WH phone in front of the taped show that Glenn did earlier. They could keep the live feed showing on the bottom corner of the screen – like that annoying thing some channels have now. If Anita D actually calls, Mao could at least take a live message for Glenn. As if.
redwhiteblue on October 26, 2009 at 11:39 PM
“Smart” Power in action.
wildcat84 on October 26, 2009 at 11:41 PM
They should move his repeat show from that off the wall hour to a better time for those who don’t get a chance to see his 5:00 show Maybe instead of showing Hannity for the second time they can put a second run of Beck in his place.
mizflame98 on October 26, 2009 at 11:43 PM
I switch over to Fox Business at 7pm to avoid Shep.
I have seen Stephen A. Smith on Hannity and Fox Business a few times over the last few weeks. What do you think of him??
I may get flamed for this, but his directness and opinion would be good at 7pm.
ny59giants on October 26, 2009 at 11:49 PM
I think Greta found religion when she was doing all of those interviews with Sarah and being around her family.
cjs1943 on October 26, 2009 at 11:53 PM
I almost peed laughing at this one.
Geochelone on October 26, 2009 at 11:55 PM
wildcat84 on October 26, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Shep is clearly a place holder. Beck needs to move to that slot at least.
wildcat84 on October 26, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Yeah, she could invite whorealdo to be a guest and tear him a new one.
cjs1943 on October 26, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Semi-objective? What are you kidding me? Campbell Brown is the same old subtle liberal Bias CNN and the networks have been force feeding us for decades now. Her show is a joke and people hate the pretentious and subversive nature of subtle bias (which is much different than “semi-objective”). If you’re going to be liberal, be open about it.
Larry King is…uhh…he’s still alive?
Anderson Cooper is another Campbell Brown, his liberalism clearly showed itself when he off on the “tea-baggers”. If CNN were truly objective then they might have a shot, at least against MSNBC, but it’s the same old crap they’ve always had.
O’reilly is popular not because he is Conservative (many Conservatives don’t even accept him as one of them) but because of robust debate on his show where a variety of voices can be heard. Hannity has a devoted following which will always watch him, but half his show involves a panel which also includes lively debate. I don’t watch Greta so I’m not sure what her winning formula is, she may just benefit from being on Fox. Glenn Beck ignores the news of the day and follows his own stories for a nice change of pace, he also happens to be a good showman. You can’t find this on any of the other networks.
Daemonocracy on October 26, 2009 at 11:59 PM
I suggest that CNN pick a fight with the White House
J_Crater on October 27, 2009 at 12:00 AM
WhooBoy, I’m stealing that. (If it ever comes up again)
Marcus on October 27, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Whatever helps you sleep at night, Dave.
You just keep dreaming of rainbows & unity ponies, because there ain’t no way Obama is ever going to let you s*ck his c*ck.
Dark Star on October 27, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Since I won’t pay for cable, I get Fox news via the Internet (most of O’Reilly, Beck’s One Thing, and a Hannity video. Coupled with Cavuto’s Common Sense, and Bear’s Grapevine, it about covers it. In fact, it’s about that time. See ya tomorrow.
Christian Conservative on October 27, 2009 at 12:05 AM
The law of decreasing returns. Fox’ entire line up dominates so why increase the viewship in primetime just to lower over all viewership from 5-11? Who can takes Becks spot and do that well at that time? Why lose him as a lead in to the 6-8 programming?
Not to say it wont happen but moving him from 5 reduces viewership from 6-8, will those numbers be offset by the gain he gets over the show he replaces? Would it give CNN and MSNBC a weaker time slot to target with other programming, absolutely.
Theworldisnotenough on October 27, 2009 at 12:07 AM
From your keyboard to God’s ear!
Branch Rickey on October 27, 2009 at 12:07 AM
I just pitched the idea to my classmate after googling Andrea Tantaros. He’s in!
Theworldisnotenough on October 27, 2009 at 12:08 AM
They should move Beck to 7, that was his timeslot on HLN before he moved to Fox, or at least put him on at 11 before they start repeating O’Reilly et al.
njpat on October 27, 2009 at 12:17 AM
It’s just astounding.
This White House is the textbook definition of a ‘target-rich environment.’ Whether it’s the DOJ’s civil-rights folks, or folks like Holdren and Bloom, and that’s just the beginning – there’s plenty to go around. And that’s without even touching Congress.
But the media – with only a few exceptions and News Corp outlets most prominent among them – will not grab a story and run with it (literally) to save their own livelihoods.
They’re following in the footsteps of the press that did its best to hide FDR’s wheelchair from the world, that spun ‘Camelot’ around a philandering near-cripple, and they’re going to ride this one straight to the ground.
JEM on October 27, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Tantaros is a bit of a light weight, she sticks strictly to RNC talking points and any show with airhead Meg McCain will lose viewership fat…I mean Fast.
The best way for CNN to get themselves back on the map is to hire a major personality, even if for only a weekend show at first. Several years ago they considered hiring Rush Limbaugh for a Sunday show but it fell through because they wanted to put someone else on to balance his views. If CNN would be willing to get Rush to do his own show, and shake up their newsroom so it includes more ideological diversity (Beck said people used to scoff as he walked by when he was at CNN), it would be a good start for them.
They never knew what they had with Beck because of the bias of their newsroom and distrust many viewers had of CNN to begin with. They are so blind to their bias that I doubt they even realize letting Beck go was a mistake.
I can only think of 2 shows I watch occasionaly on any of the other networks: Lou Dobbs and Morning Joe. Lou Dobbs is pretty interesting, a different kind of voice that I watch now and then to avoid Shep Smith on Fox. Morning Joe can be fun but I can’t stand the uber liberal guests that are booked from Newsweek and the like.
Daemonocracy on October 27, 2009 at 12:27 AM
He’s also done it when he needed to get out of town. Point is, being live doesn’t add anything to the show, and being taped wouldn’t take anything away from it. It’s all monologue and interviews. The taped shows are indistinguishable from the live ones, save the White House phone.
Pablo on October 27, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Strictly watch “Special Report” – tape it so I can ff thru anything Obama has to say. You could not pay me enough to tune into the other nonsense networks.
betsyz on October 27, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Jim +1. Dave is sent a box of depends as a consolation prize. And me? For having to read Dave’s whiny comment without getting angry I get a PEACE PRIZE. (Cue the Crowder music…)
pt on October 27, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Fox is now the standard in journalism
All others are Obama cheerleaders and imagining Jack Cafferty in pompoms and a poodle dress.
Not pretty.
Kini on October 27, 2009 at 12:55 AM
I’m not so sure the other networks will stop cheer leading Zero’s failures. These people are convinced they can write history if they repeat it often enough.
I wouldn’t doubt a bailout for the networks that are having trouble competing with FOX News unfair business tactic of airing programming people actually watch. They’ll happily partner with the government and spout liberal propaganda.
Mr Purple on October 27, 2009 at 12:56 AM
This Hoffman race in NY-23 must befuddle the White House, who likes to paint everything as Democrat v Republican.
With Beck supporting neither, it makes their talking points seem “dated”
J_Crater on October 27, 2009 at 1:00 AM
If Red Eye was on at 8 PM, it would be beating Olbermann.
Speedwagon82 on October 27, 2009 at 1:07 AM
They do, 3am central, right after Red Eye.
gary4205 on October 27, 2009 at 1:17 AM
Whoa, whoa, leave Dave’s mom outta this!!
Rosmerta on October 27, 2009 at 1:26 AM
Hannity’s disclaimer (“Not approved by The White House”) is WRONG! For vast numbers of Americans, being referred to by the Obama administration as “not a real news organization” is a ringing endorsement. Wish I could get BO to raise a stink about my business.
texasentrepreneur on October 27, 2009 at 1:36 AM
Yeah I watch Fox but Beck is still an ass. Can;t believe people flock to listen to his ranting. I find it interesting to have him in the background.
lexhamfox on October 27, 2009 at 1:52 AM
He’s sincerely passionate. I love that.
Rosmerta on October 27, 2009 at 1:57 AM
Beck gets things done and has a good time doing it. There are a lot of conservative talk show hosts who don’t appear to do either.
Ronnie on October 27, 2009 at 2:54 AM
Sing this to ” Ring of fire”Glenn fell into Obama’s life of mire
he went down down down to rake that mire
and it turns turns turns
Glenn’s ratings higher
his ratings higher
(Thanx Johnny Cash)
macncheez on October 27, 2009 at 2:54 AM
The question is, if you did would anyone stop to look?
- The Cat
MirCat on October 27, 2009 at 3:01 AM
Matthews gets beat by the Indian head test pattern.
DSchoen on October 27, 2009 at 3:51 AM
I’d love to see Sarah Palin beating on Overbite, followed by Letterman, Matthews, Rahm Emmanuel, Podesta, Obama, Reid, Pelosi…..
The only man on their side is Rachel Maddow.
dthorny on October 27, 2009 at 4:08 AM
That test pattern makes his leg quiver.
Jeff from WI on October 27, 2009 at 5:33 AM
If Red Eye was on at 8 PM, it would be beating Olbermann.
Pinch the NYT puppet could beat Olbermann
Jeff from WI on October 27, 2009 at 5:34 AM
If Red Eye was on at 8 PM, it would be beating Olbermann.
All the above come with the same plumbing parts.
Jeff from WI on October 27, 2009 at 5:37 AM
The WH was warning other networks to NOT run the Anita Dunn story.
Mission totally accomplished.
We lost this round… WH won. The communist stays.
Danzo on October 27, 2009 at 5:40 AM
Yeah, they kept the story off the networks no one watches. Big victory. /s
Ronnie on October 27, 2009 at 6:07 AM
Psst…Allahpundit….piss off Axelrod.
.
percysunshine on October 27, 2009 at 6:29 AM
It would be great to repeat Beck at 10 (Central) and bump O’Reilly to 11. 5 is too early, after 11 too late.
MNHawk on October 27, 2009 at 7:05 AM
In simple terms, Obama hates anyone that says “No!” to him.
coldwarrior on October 27, 2009 at 7:23 AM
Don’t move Beck from the 5pm slot. I watch him sometimes but I would never watch him in prime time. Since I get up at 4:30 am, prime time is my bed time. Sad but true.
kmarie on October 27, 2009 at 7:46 AM
I find Beck a bit off-putting but “ass” is way too strong a word. Now if you want to talk about the whiny bleating no-talent Shep Smith or the illegal-loving Geraldo… then “ass” is probably being nice.
Personally, my tastes are more along the lines of Special Report where it’s more discussion than Op-Ed.
highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 7:55 AM
So do I. He’s a bit over the top.
beachgirlusa on October 27, 2009 at 8:01 AM
Trying to beef up Prime Time isn’t what Ailes is about. Think about the 5pm slot before Glenn Beck and after his appearance.
Before Beck there was NO real thought that there WAS a 5pm demographic.
Now there is.
After Red Eye and BOR reruns there should be a re-broadcast of Beck to cap out late night, just to see if there is any demographic there.
On the other end… 4pm. No demographic there, right?
That is what everyone thinks. But if you had to put on an interesting 4pm show, you could do far, far worse than MM having a taped show spotlighting weekly PJM commentators, plus Ed Morrisey and, say, Hugh Hewitt. Throw in Steven Green, Glenn Reynolds, Andrew Klavan, Richard Fernandez and Roger L. Simon… all for 10 minute, once a week spots plus some roundtables every day, and then cross-work between Fox Nation and PJM to see if there *is* a cross-over cable to net demographic.
If there isn’t, no loss at 4pm, right?
And if there is? Ratings plus net traffic which is pure gold.
ajacksonian on October 27, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Fox should offer beck more than one hour. Give him two. or three.
Join forces with O’Reilly and really scare the wee wee out of Obama. tee hee
bridgetown on October 27, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Well, you should listen to his words. You’d find that our government is the Off-putting one. P e r s p e c t i v e
bridgetown on October 27, 2009 at 8:07 AM
April 6, 2008 B Hussien 0–San Francisco:
OmahaConservative on October 27, 2009 at 8:09 AM
I didn’t say he doesn’t speak the truth, I just don’t care for his personality.
beachgirlusa on October 27, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Fox ratings have increased. CNN is now in 3rd place. It’s a good sign.
1. Ultra lefties watch MSNBC.
2. Moderates watch CNN.
3. Conservatives watch FOX.
Moderates have defected to FOX. Excellent sign.
Oink on October 27, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Oink stated what I was going to say. CNN is in last place of all cable news channels.
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/cnn-drops-to-last-place-among-cable-news-networks/
Again FOX News beats CNN and MSNBC show by show in primetime COMBINED. It goes to show that the general public rather have honest, fair and accurate news not propaganda.
Kini you are spot on with FOX not only being the standard of journalism, but I would add they are the only news outlet still practicing journalism. Thier ratings prove it!
Rndguy on October 27, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Obama and company made a huge mistake…first on picking out one news organization, but more importantly picking out FOX right after they had broken and led on two of the most important news stories in the past six months.
If the stories were false, or misleading, then Obama would have a case…but they were national stories carried basically by one station.
Add to Fox continous hammering on the economic disaster that everyone sees, but few read about in other journals, you can see why the attack failed.
Their reporting on Van Jones, was great, but the ACORN was off the chart.
Embarrassing for the other stations, and so obvious as a major new story.
Obama, your choice was wrong…but your timing was exquisite for FOX…they say you have “rabbit ears”, well the Fox caught the rabbit…
right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Good for Fox, someone has to save the Republic.
-
Has Murdock bought NBC yet?
-
FU->GE
esblowfeld on October 27, 2009 at 9:33 AM
What makes you think they would allow him near anything sharp, or anything hot? He’s the night janitor.
MarkTheGreat on October 27, 2009 at 9:34 AM
AP, you are going to have to get some professional help with your fascination with the twit, Megan McCain.
belad on October 27, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Leave Greta alone! She is the BEST interviewer on Fox. None of the others, except for Cavuto, Megyn, and one of the morning guys, come anywhere near her. O’Reilly, Hannity, and Beck can’t hold a candle to Greta when it comes to a good solid interview. You would never know Greta is a liberal because she keeps politics out of her discussions. Her table of guys is a good break from politics all the time. I don’t think Michelle Malkin has the heft of Greta van Susteren; even if she does, leave Greta where she is. She’s good at her job, does a genuinely fair and balanced interview, and does not tell her interviewees what to think.
I’ve seen Greta elicit some damaging answers from the people she questions. She doesn’t give you any of Hannity’s long winded crap that is not really a question. Greta, like Megyn, does a cross-examination, a respectful one. She lacks Megyn’s fire, but Greta is just terrific.
I didn’t used to think she was, but I spent a lot of time watching her, and she’s fantastic. Replacing her with Beck! My goodness! Idiotic!
SilentWatcher on October 27, 2009 at 9:36 AM
I wouldn’t watch Meghan McCain, a much poorer excuse for a conservative than Elisabeth Hasselbeck on “The View”. If conservatives want almost-presidential daughters on TV, I nominate Liz Cheney. One little problem if they want her on CNN–she already appears on Fox.
Steve Z on October 27, 2009 at 9:36 AM
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