From NBC's press release: "Meet the Press with Tim Russert" won the week ending Sunday, March 11, 2007 in all categories both nationally and in Washington, D.C. The show attracted 3.599 million total viewers, a 28% advantage over "Face the Nation", a 31% lead over "This Week" and 159% more than "Fox News Sunday".
All true, except that few facts were left out.
Meet the Press attracted 5.15 million viewers imediately after 9/11 attacks & maintained it for over an year. In 2004, it's viewers were dipped to 4.15 million. In 2006, it is 3.9 million. Now in 2007, it is 3.599million as stated in their release.
Is this progress for MTP? You decide.
Fox News Sunday & MTP lost 25 to 30% of their viewers, ABC's "This week" is the only show to gain some extra viewers, but that is not additional, but switch from other shows. FNS, however maintains a slight lead over ABC in Washington market alone. Overall collectively, sunday shows didn't gain ANY additional viewership, but it 's the other way.
I don't watch any of the sunday morning political shows anymore. I tape the last half of FNS to hear what Brit Hume has to say. That way I can fast forward when Kristol(McCain)is speaking. The first half is unwatchable with Wallace. This show will never increase its audience as long as Wallace hosts it.