AJC: CNN Ratings still down despite 'overhaul' - Gee, I wonder why' alert!

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/cnn/0903/23primetime.html?urac=n&urvf=10643618359720.3153507123131726 ^

[Conservomax]

CNN still is putting the final touches on its new prime-time lineup, but the first two weeks' worth of ratings are down compared with last year.

The network said Monday it has hired contributors -- including former Defense Department spokeswoman Victoria Clarke and Time magazine columnist Joe Klein -- for the 8 p.m. show, "Paula Zahn Now."

Zahn's show drew an average of 598,000 viewers in its first two weeks since CNN relaunched it with the new name. That was down 25 percent from the time slot a year ago, when Connie Chung's program was airing.

The new 7 p.m. show, "Anderson Cooper 360," drew an average of 446,000 viewers in its first two weeks, down 32 percent from a year earlier.

While down from last year, ratings have improved since the shows launched and are up over last month, CNN spokeswoman Christa Robinson said.

The shows were designed to sharpen CNN's hard-news image. The network has repeatedly reworked both its schedule and management team in recent years after losing its cable ratings lead to Fox News.

Jim Walton, who took the reins of Atlanta-based CNN in January, canceled "Connie Chung Tonight," which did relatively well in the ratings but was criticized for its tabloid style. He moved the 7 p.m. debate show "Crossfire" to a half-hour slot in the afternoon.

Anchors Zahn and Cooper took over their time slots months ago, but their new shows officially launched Sept. 8, with on-air promos, a new set for Zahn and well-known guests. The network has been working all summer to put together an ensemble cast for Zahn's show.

In addition to Clarke and Klein, CNN is giving Zahn's show nearly exclusive access to other network contributors, including medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and legal correspondent Jeffrey Toobin. The idea is to provide viewers something different during prime time, instead of just rehashed versions of the news they've seen all day.

CNN last week overhauled its news management, naming local-news veteran Princell Hair to run the flagship network. The goal, CNN chief Jim Walton said last week, is to get viewers to watch CNN for longer periods of time -- key to improving ratings.

Walton said last week he doesn't expect to make any changes, however, in the prime-time schedule.

"I'm very pleased with it," he said.

[Conservomax]

These people might want to try and face the truth about why their ratings are down and stead of dumping the same old crap in a different pile.

[Reactionary]

The lameness continues at CNN.

[jwalsh07]

An interesting juxtaposition between the mouthpiece of the lefts numbers freefalling while Wesley Clark and the dwarves numbers are an impulse.

[HanneyBean]

It pleases me to know that even if they do eventually "get it", they won't make the necessary changes because of their liberal mentality, and will further slide into cable news oblivion (bwaaaaaaaahahahaha).

Of course, Ms. Amampour will contend it's all due to the viscious, concerted, right-wing intimidation of poor widdle CNN.

[Eala]

The lameness continues at CNN.

I don't have cable at home so the only time I ever encounter CNN is when travelling. And what I saw some years ago of the Clinton News Network (All Clinton, All the Time) convinced me I never want to see it again. So, on the rare occasions I amm in a hotel with time to flip through the channels, if I see "CNN" I just keep flipping.

[wylenetheconservative]

Gee, I can't believe that adding another ultra-liberal mouthpiece like Joe Klein didn't improve ratings. CNN just doesn't get it. The average Democrat doesn't watch new channels. They are watching "Geoge Lopez" or "Moesha" or "Survivor". They don't understand the issues that are discussed on CNN, and aren't smart enough to pick up the suttle attempts at bias. Thats why ratings are low. Only intelligent people(conservatives) watch the news channels and they are watching Fox News.

[wylenetheconservative]

I think you are right in most elections, but I fear that Hispanics will turn out big for Bustamante. Anything can happen, you are correct. But Bustamante will draw at minimum 30-35%. Schwarznegger may outdraw him, especially if McClintock drops out. My point is that Bustamante has a larger base level of support than Arnold or McClintock.

[wylenetheconservative]

Sorry about the last post guys...I replied to the wrong thread.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I have an idea to boost their ratings. Was sent there from a live thread when the CNN crew were the first ones into into Tikrit, Iraq. Hadn't watched anything there in a year. They shot up a checkpoint. It got my interest. They need to shoot at things on a regular basis.

[Eala]

Only intelligent people(conservatives) watch the news channels and they are watching Fox News.

Welcome to FRee Republic, wylene. I hope there is room in your spectrum for those of us who long ago gave up on "television news" as being specious, puerile, limited, biased and irrelevant. There are far better sources, even though none of them (in so far as I know, or assume) are "pure."

TV news, even FOX (I presume) has a fatal weakness -- it has to present something to keep the viewer's eyes glued. Which is why print journals such as National Review and others continue to have a market.

[wylenetheconservative]

Thanks for the welcome. I am loving FReerepublic. I read National Journal as well. FReepers are great people.

[HanneyBean]

Wylene!
Here's a great BIG freeper high five from me!!!!!
Welcome aboard-

[Savage Beast]

The only thing that could save CNN would be to make Rush Limbaugh CEO and give him free reign.

[freeangel]

And I thought the new motto over there "fairly biased" would be a winner.

[Graybeard58]

"if I see "CNN" I just keep flipping".

I stopped watching CNN a long time ago but was "flipping" a couple days ago and like the previous poster said, "same
old shite - different pile" From now on I'll just keep on flippin'

[Alissa]

When you are a guest in a hotel, fill out their customer survey form and tell them you don't like CNN and would prefer to watch Fox News.

I recently received a survey in the mail from Sheraton and told them if I had a choice between equal hotels, I'd select the one that offered Fox News.

[Conservomax]

They are watching "Geoge Lopez" or "Moesha" or "Survivor"

Moesha, hilarious.

[Interesting Times]

Tar pits? What tar pits?

[NewLand]

CNN today...

[FreedomCalls]

Do you think it might have anything to do with them being a shill for the Ba'athists and Al Qaeda?