War Boosts MSNBC Viewership 503% [Insert Your Own Joke Here]

Ad Age Magazine ^ | March 26, 2003 | Richard Linnett

[ewing]

MSNBC had attracted 2.6 million viewers and us ip on viewership 503% in the first quarter over previous quarters, while CNN is up 325% and Fox 233%.

[ewing]

I have noticed the upbeat attitde as well.

[OneVike]

Quote from Chris Mathews " It's too bad this attack did not happen during Bill Clintons administration, it would seem he missed his chance at true greatness".

MSNBC never distanced themselves from Chris, and hense supported his statement. How you could now support them is beyond me!

[Professional]

Fox viewership is up less, by percent, because they ALREADY had the audience. I must say, MSNBC has the best coverage. I'm only watching Fox and MSNBC. MSNBC seems to be far better staffed and directed on this situation. MSNBC anchors are very good, I like Dan Abrams, and the black guy is outstanding.

[StriperSniper]

I like Lester, he should be picked up by Fox

Nooooooo! I don't know if he's any good, but he always seems so 'up' that I jones for a line just looking at him!

[AmericanVictory]

I find roaming all three to be the most satisfying, but MSNBC gets almost as much dwell time as Fox. They've got some very good people if you leave aside Arnett, who insists on being his usual deceiving Marxist self.

[gcruse]

MSNBC isn't that bad. And when Greta comes on Fox, or I get tired of the jabbering, I go to MSNBC.

[Salvation]

**My TV has been on FOX NEWS 24-7**

BTTT!

And O'Reilly had a good segment last night on the slanted print media. Tonight he had on three generals/colonels and had a good discussion.

[freeasinbeer]

Why I watch MSNBC
by freeasinbeer

I am always surprised to find that the peoples of FR don't watch MSNBC when there is real news. I can understand for political commentary, talking heads, etc. but for news they are head and shoulders above the rest, hands down. For example:

• News Ticker - Most accurate and up-to-date. CNN tries to spice theirs up with slang, etc while FoxNews is just to darn slow to update. For instance, it was still going on about Iraqi TV going off the air hours after it had come back on the air.
• Website - MSNBC, hands down. This one is not even close, especially with the tie-ins they have with Newsweek, etc.
• Weather - Yes, weather. In this war it matters and MSNBC covers it better than the other two easily.
• Embedded reporters - Again, an easy win for MSNBC. They have the most, and frankly the best. Fox reporters always come off as sensationalistic, while CNN focuss squarely on the poor starving children, Iraqi's, etc.
• Breaking News - MSNBC has been first to air with a number of stories, thanks to their tie-in with parent NBC. Thanks to this they litterally have reporters in every city on the globe.
• Politics - Listen, when news is happening, I don't need FoxNews to hold my hand and show me the conservative way. All I want is the facts, and lots of them. While CNN and Fox try to outdo each other to each 'angle' MSNBC has been reporting first and quite even-handedly.
• Look And Feel - Am I the only one that hates the crappy ever-repeating graphics on Fox and CNN? MSNBC does not annoy me with them, therfore they win this one.
• Military Analysts - Fox gets this one, but by just a hair. Gen. McCaffrey is awesome, he looks like he still wants to go out and tear the Iraqis a new one. Stormin Norman is good as well. CNN, as usual finishes last. Wesley Clark?!?! Please!
• Extra Features - The Wall of Heroes on MSNBC is top notch, as is their doing the headlines every fifteen minutes, and their listening post feature which gives the viewer a sample of what the rest of the world is saying.
• Eye Candy... I know not many will agree here, but Christine Musimecci, Natalie Morales, Jeannie Ohm, etc look nice! Fox and MSNBC tie here, with CNN and their old beast the War Whore (Amanpour) coming dead last.

Sounds like I work for them, but seriously, give them a try. I flip 50/50 between Fox and MSNBC. Fox for commentary, MSNBC when actual news is happening.

[JohnBovenmyer]

I was stuck in SF for meetings over last weekend at a Fox free hotel. MSNBC was much better than Gen. Weasely Clark on CNN or the nutworks. Luckily the hotel offerered internet service -- FR kept me up to speed.

[FirstTomato]

I have been switching between MSNBC, CNN and Fox. But when I settle on one station, its usually MSNBC. They are doing a good job: more news, less pontificating.

And no Donahue!

[freeasinbeer]

I wrote too much to let it die bump!!

[L`enn]

I enjoy their coverage better than Fox coverage. Luckily on my cable, Fox and MSNBC and 38 and 39 respectively. Good thing CNN is 22 and I do not have a remote!. Also , how the hell does Lester Holt stay on the air for what seems to be 15 hrs a day, day after day, and why does he always look like he is smirking?

[L`enn]

Yes he is.

[L`enn]

Yeah, whats up with that. Looks like a demotion to me.

[Howlin]

LOL....I have wondered about that smirk myself! And talk about UPLIGHTING........anymore and he'd look WHITE!

I just found CNN fn tonight; lots of stuff we don't see here.......and none of the WHINING!

[bonesmccoy]

You won't believe what I just found via google.

[L`enn]

LOL I know what you mean. To me he seems like your prototypical newreader-anchor. He is what I would imagine the radio guy at News Radio 88 to be like.

[Sir_Ed]

Greta's face is gone?? You mean her face lift wasn't real?

Ed

[ewing]

Chris Mathhews ratings are really bad as well..