Do you have anything better to do with your life?

You mean other than being right all the time? No.

Nice diversionary tactic David. I'm sure Nonfactor will be along to say something similar.

These denials ar just precious. When I went to TVNewser, I went with an open mind. After reading it for a while, it became clear that MSLSD was a pet project and Olbermann was the guy's pal. Inane Olby items and pro-Olby data are all the moron reports, even when Olby is LAST IN THE RATINGS > 90% of the time. If another site posted ratings, I wouldn't care, but I am FORCED TO THAT SITE to get ratings. If the guy wants to be left alone, he should share his data with Olbywatch. I don't want to read his crap if I don't have to.

KfK,

Excellent points, as always.

Riddle me this David, where do think TVN is getting all of their ratings data?

Amazingly, KO is dead last in the 9AM time slot as well. Probably has something to do with everyone else broadcasting live news instead of a 13 hour old rerun of a show doing the same stories every night. But its interesting that MSNBC has decided to go that route. In fact, most of their daytime programming now is 30 minute taped stories from the mother ship, often as not ones that broadcast on the Today show in the morning. MSNBC seems to be turning away from a news network into the TV equivalent of a blog. Rehashing other people's stories, seemingly without doing any research of their own. It seems as if the entire network is without focus.

In fact I think the only shows they have that actually "break" news are Abrams and (I can't believe I'm going to say this) Rita. The rest of the network seems to be just re-reporting the same stories hour by hour, day after day. In that, I guess the Countdown rerun fits perfectly in the schedule.

I would like to see how KO's ratings are compared the the 9-10 news they had on. Also, any idea how KO does compared to Imus's last hour?

Robert:

Where can we access these ratings data ourselves ( Other the TVN ) especially the obscure stuff, like how Olby does at 9AM against the competitition. I've asked this before many times. Never any response.

Hmmmm.

Let me check around. I can probably develop a source for the ratings data but I'm not sure I am prepared to commit to doing the work of gathering, posting and commenting on it. If there is anyone willing to become an OW contributor/ratings guru I'd like to hear from you.

As for the specific 9 AM Olby data...I ought to be able to get a hold of that. I believe TVNewser has put out the usual spin version of the data (i.e., limiting the data to the demo, ignoring FNC ratings - at least initially, etc.)

Just read TVNewsers claim that the demo is all that matters. If that is true, then CNN and MSNBC need to switch formats. The news is not a "young people's" game. The "demo" figures for CNN and MSNBC are abysmal. Reruns of "Deal or No Deal" do better than their "news" programming. Spongebob repeats crush them in the ratings.

Seems to me that the execs at the losing network are trying to reinvent the way ratings are analyzed to dupe advertisers into paying for minimal exposure. Let's make a sports analogy:

If you are an awful coach and you lose every basketball game by thirty points, you can try a roster change or you can stop looking at the total number of points and try to focus on something else. Perhaps you will focus on the total number of three pointers made, and claim fans love three pointers and that is all that matters! Forget the fact that we lost by fifty -- we had ten three pointers! Yahoo!

Or maybe you like tennis. So you lose every match, but you had ten aces! Ten aces and people LOVE aces! There ya go!

I do not doubt that CNN and MSLSD execs shield their eyes when the totals are presented. They are trying to keep their jobs. Now, if total numbers don't matter, why does CNN claim "greatest world-wide viewership"? I mean, they LOVE to crow about CNN International! In fact, TVNEWSER LOVES TO CROW ABOUT CNN INTERNATIONAL:

From http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/cnn/cnn_worldwide_brings_in_more_than_twice_as_much_revenue_as_fox_news_37148.asp#email

"CNN Worldwide Brings In More Than Twice As Much Revenue As Fox News"

FNC beats CNN/U.S. in the ratings, but how do the two brands compare where it really counts -- money?

In today's USAT, Jim Walton says: "CNN Worldwide brings in more than twice as much revenue as Fox News -- I'm just going to say the 'F' word. Our goal is to deliver more news to more people in more places across more platforms than any other news organization in the world. We're able to deliver the shareholder value."

Hmmmm...

The goal is to "deliver more news to more people in more places across more platforms than any other news organization in the world"? Don't they mean:

"Our goal is to deliver more news to more people in more places across more platforms than any other news organization in the world in the 25-54 demo only and anyone older than 54 is irrelevant as the ratings should reflect only the demo and not the older or younger people in the International Community."

Regime change is required at CNN, MSLSD and TVNEWSER.

KfK,

Your comment is a model for all commenters. You make your point and back it up with direct quotes, links...you know... facts.

Once you understand the TVN agenda its pretty easy to follow the game.

Next up...watch for some "counter-programming" over at TVN - a post or two on how great Fox News is doing....just to be able to claim that TVN is "fair and balanced".

Mr. Cox, KFK

Great posts.
Thanks

I received an email pointing out this May 15th post on TVN

Question For The Broadcast Networks
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/questions/question_for_the_broadcast_networks_36897.asp

"The White House has carefully executed a series of leaks previewing President Bush's "address to the nation" tonight on immigration. Why, then, have you handed over prime time for it?

We know he's going to temporarily deploy 6,000 troops on the border, possibly for political gain; we know he's going to say "we do not have full control of the border," according to leaks timed for the evening newscasts; and we know he's going to call on Congress to provide more funding. What more are we going to know at 8:20 p.m., other than a sound bite?

You've already covered it for three days, and you'll cover it again on the morning shows. Why do these pronouncements deserve roadblock coverage in primetime? "

The reader writes: "Maybe it's just me, but this struck me as an extraordinary post for someone who is supposedly all about television news. Is there any reason for TVNewser to post this, calling for the networks NOT to cover a news event, other than his own political agenda?"

That is a pretty dumb statement. People should see and hear their President. The same nuts who scream "Bush is in a bubble!" want to put their fingers in their ears and scream "LA LA LA LA LA" whenever he speaks. Let's get access to ratings and leave the little Olbyite to his own devices.