BOOMERANGS
There's a timely piece in Media Matters titled "Fox News is in for a very tough 2008", that's worth reading since it provides a good review of how for-profit media organizations tie their fortunes to politicians and political trends for ratings, and then live or die by the cyclically of their political fortunes.
Here's how the piece sets it up:
"Bottom line is that Fox News is in for a very rough 2008. And the umbrella reason for that is quite simple: Eight years ago the all-news cable channel went all-in on the presidency of George Bush and became a broadcast partner with the White House..."
"The point is that Fox News years ago made an obvious decision to appeal almost exclusively to Republican viewers. The good news then for Fox News was that it succeeded. The bad news now for Fox News is that it succeeded..."
Amongst the head-winds faced by Fox News, is the following:
" D) The Democratic candidates' blanket refusal to debate on Fox News during the primary season."
Which has lead to a ratings drop vs. CNN in this election season:
"The most obvious signs of Fox News' downturn have been the cable ratings for the big primary and caucus votes this year, as well as the high-profile debates. With this election season generating unprecedented voter and viewer interest, Fox News' rating bumps to date have remained underwhelming, to say the least.
For instance, on the night of the big New Hampshire primary, CNN, which habitually trails behind Fox News in the prime-time race, attracted nearly 250,000 more viewers than its top competitor, marking a changing-of-the-guard of sorts."
This has all of course resulted in good things for CNN:
"No wonder CNN's so giddy these days. Here's the spin CNN president Jonathan Klein put out following its New Hampshire ratings win: "There's a freshness and exuberance to our coverage that the others just aren't matching. ... Fox almost seems downright despondent in their coverage."
I wouldn't cackle too loud if I were CNN though.
They've done their fair share of taking sides on explosive political issues on a persistent basis in the name of "news" and good "journalism".
One has to look no further than Lou "Broken Borders" Dobbs and his relative ratings success, that has been earned at the expense of an irresponsible poisoning the debate on immigration with barely concealed racism.
This of course has been condoned and encouraged by the senior management at CNN and Time Warner, both explicitly and implicitly.
If what's happening to Fox News/News Corp. is any indication, these cycles will likely turn for CNN News as well, over time. The immigration issue is likely to be a big contributor to the Republican party losing the Presidency. And this is sad for me to observe as a moderate Republican.
The political winds are shifting to the center. For profit news organizations ignore them at their peril, and of course risk to their shareholders.
DISCLOSURE: I've personally boycotted watching Lou Dobbs for over two years now. I also remain a reluctant shareholder in Time Warner.
Do you remember Jon Stewart's infamous appearance on CNN's Crossfire back in October 2004? If you haven't seen it then its worth Googling for the video. Stewart's exchange with Tucker Carlson was nothing short of witty and amazing when we characterized the show as partisan hackery instead of honest debate. CNN subsequently canceled the show. Unfortunately no one has taken on Lou Dobbs yet for his the-sky-is-falling approach on immigration. I certainly won't be shedding any tears when his show gets axed. As for Fox News, one can hope 2008 will be the year that a ratings hit will force them to live by their hollow slogan.
Posted by: Hisham Rana | Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 04:22 AM
Yes Hisham, those Jon Stewart/Tucker Carlson videos are right on point.
I think Tucker now has his own show, and he's gotten rid of the bow tie.
Hopefully the end of Lou Dobbs cycle takes him back to Space.com and other ventures from outer space.
Posted by: Michael Parekh | Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 10:48 AM