MSNBC FUTURE IN DOUBT

DrudgeReport.com ^ | August 18, 2002

[Paul Atreides]

"The fall may be the make-or-break time for MSNBC," NEW YORK TIMES TV hotshot Bill Carter is preparing to write in Monday editions.

According to newsroom sources, Carter is set to warn how "future investment and promotion budgets for the channel" may be at risk during the coming months, as the all-news network continues to slump in the ratings, lead by the nearly still-born DONAHUE.

The pressure is coming from the very top of the MSNBCNBCGE tree.

Earlier this year, at a meeting of NBC's top management, Jeffrey Immelt, the chairman of GENERAL ELECTRIC, specifically cited MSNBC as the area of NBC that most needed attention. "He gave the order," a senior NBC executive has told Carter said, "and the order was, 'Fix it."'

As for the ailing DONAHUE, MSNBC prez Erik Sorenson tells Carter: "We're in the silly season. The news is so slow; it's been the summer of kidnappings. That plays more toward [CNN's] Connie [Chung]. Her show is cotton candy. It's all tabloid, all the time."

Sorenson said that come fall DONAHUE will start to take advantage of more hard news developments. "We'll have an election to cover and a war in Iraq," Sorenson said.

Beyond that, look for Donahue to book more celebrities. "He's going to have Oprah on and Harrison Ford and George Clooney," Sorenson said. "I don't honestly expect to have an answer on this until November."

Developing...

[gortklattu]

so, they Might See No Broadcasting Cash?

[Inyokern]

Actually, "Curtis and Kuby" and "Press and Buchanan" are not bad shows. In lousy time slots, but not bad shows

[My Favorite Headache]

When all else fails...bring in hollywood stars for interviews. HARD NEWS THERE!!!! Freakin morons...MSNBC is a disgrace. If FOX would just shape their damn weekends up they would level MSNBC into oblivion.

[Paul Atreides]

Bill Press. Ugh! I won't listen to a thing he says until he gets that brown stain off of his nose. He's almost as bad as James Carbile.

[umgud]

Donna Hue

[Paul Atreides]

The Hollywierdos as guest is like the 5-year old sitcom adding the movie has-been to their cast; a few months later, the sitcom is history.

[Paul Atreides]

I have not had a chance to see Curtis and Kuby, yet. FNC should replace Herdildo Rivera with Curtis, though. And, get rid of Gritty VanCistern, in favor of Alan Keyes.

[C.C. Pelican Brown]

Messnbc needs to get a serious CONSERVATIVE clue! Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham, bring back Alan, give Kim Komando a shot, keep Imus. Give Ken Hamblin a go. And, there's always Rush! There ya go! I would start watching that wretched channel. :)

[My Favorite Headache]

CNN will never be on life support. They still rule the world in hotels and locations. Remember...they got like a 15 yr headstart on MSNBC,ALL News Channel, and Fox.

[csvset]

Brian does a good job on "Booknotes".

[Willie Green]

Connie Chung is "cotton candy" while Donohue is a more serious, hard-news "journalist"???

Good grief.

Perhaps they should dump Donohue and give Butterbean a shot.
The Bean would certainly be an improvement over Blather, Jennings and Whatshisname.

[Paul Atreides]

The trouble is, getting them to see that they have a bias. I find it hilarious that all of these networks will hire former knee-padders, and will spew their leftist bilge out the wazoo, yet cannot see their own bias. However, they can instantly see it on FNC.

[Paul Atreides]

Ha! A butterbean would be better than those toons.

[glock rocks]

[TC Rider]

One down and 4 more to go including Cspan!

We were off to the mountains this weekend. I caught about 20 minutes of the 'Reparations Rally' on CSPAN. I was amazed the efforts they went to, to avoid showing the entire meager crowd. They deserve to go, but won't since they are privately funded and could care less about ratings.

[Dazedcat]

Thanks, I had no idea Leo was involved in that show at all.

[Paul Atreides]

I know exactly what you are saying, and agree with you. However, just remember what Ann wrote about publisher and conservative writers, in Slander.

[ChadGore]

Could MSNBC and Slate die at the same time? Or will Bill Gates continue to pour bilions down the drain ?

[jackbill]

Watch for even more PMSNBC refugees to start cropping up on Fox a la Whorealdo.

If you think that Roger Ailes would even talk to the "nearly stillborn Donahue", much less hire him, I have a nice bridge over the East River that's for sale.

Nearly stillborn - dontcha love it?

[GraniteStateConservative]

Just leave CNBC alone. I like Kudlow and Cramer.