I happened to be flipping through channels last night and as I buzzed across CNN my eye caught old footage of Ted so i flipped back. They were well into their memorial details - all of the channels must have had stock footage ready to roll knowing how sick he’s been. So I clicked down to FNC - nothing. They were at least 15 minutes later than CNN getting to air with the story. Once they did announce it they continued to break in and out of the repeat of Greta.
HORRIBLE coverage!
I prefer FNC on a daily basis, but their coverage of breaking news continues to lag behind CNN at almost every turn. Don’t believe me - just check the ratings - the only time they ever lose is when something significant happens - people still turn to CNN for breaking news - partly because of name recognistion - and partly because many people tune to FNC KNOWING that something is happening and wanting details. When they find replays of Hannity and Greta playing - they go elsewhere for actual news. Loyalty matters - I went there to see what was ‘happening now’ - they let me down - again.
I hope and pray that someone, anyone from FNC is lurking and will tell someone in a suit that the only way they are ever going to be able to put the final nails in the coffin of MSNBC and CNN is if they actually someday decide to cover breaking news - even during Katrina and Ike many of their evenings and overnights were taped pieces and replays.
In defense of FOX do you suppose they were the last to get the word by design? One of the reports said they had just got word from the Kennedy spokes person of his death. I’ll bet it was done on purpose.
I could not agree more. It's surprising because Murdochs's empire also includes SkyNews, which is a fairly well-respected international news organization. You'd think that they could find some partnership and synergies with their American counterparts, but nope - doesn't happen.
I think it's reflective of the fact that Roger Ailes programs FNC - he, like Murdoch, is much more of a showman than journalist. FNC would have been much better off to have Brit Hume take over the whole network. I think FNC is also hurt by not having very strong ties - from a news gather perspective - to their affiliates. Of course, that is complicated by the fact that most of their affiliates, especially in the mid and smaller markets are usually in 3rd, 4th or even 5th place with weak nightly newscasts as well.
There's a whole thread dedicated to this very issue that sprung up last night. I'm a little surprised by the number of people that reflexively defend FNC. It's unbecoming.
They didn’t let me down at all. I’m glad they just brought it in as a quick news announcement. The Hiccup isn’t worth interrupting regular programming for. If somebody wants to wallow in Kennedy mania, let FNC not be so stupid and predictable to cater to it.