Reader MikeS has once again updated his 8pm Cable News ratings charts for us.
Long Term Trend of O’Reilly vs. Olbermann vs. Campbell Brown TV Ratings:
The trend lines above are 30 day moving averages.
For complete information on all cable news ratings check our daily cable news ratings posts.
Anybody else wanting to produce trend charts of any of our other data, drop me an email.
Nielsen Cable Network Coverage Estimates (as of September, 2009)
CNN/HLN: 99.10 million HHs
CNBC: 96.78 million HHs
FNC: 96.26 million HHs
MSNBC: 92.64 million HHs
Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2009 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.
For Nancy Grace, Caylee Anthony did equal really good ratings. Her ratings peaked during the time that Caylee’s body was discovered.
I hope Casey burns for what she did to that child!
it’s jus another way of lookin at ‘The Factor’s’ pure pwnage.
Damn! The key demo for O’Reilly is higher than it was on election day.
Nice to see Nancy Grace going neck and neck with Olbermann at 8pm.
O’Reilly leaving everyone in the dust.
Personally? I think it’s about trust. Every single news outlet has the exact same take on every national issue: the need to usher in communism and a one-world government, in which America is a minor player for it’s crimes.
But we don’t have any, other than the Indian conquest, in which we’re not alone. We were among the first, if not the first to outlaw slavery. We saved the planet and gave it back to their owners, TWICE. We’re not the problem- we’re the solution.
Fox News gets this. Fox News has the same viewpoint I recall about America since 1963 or so. Everything else is weak tea, and headed in the wrong direction. People know it.
Interesting, Bill’s 25-54 ratings are competitive with other P2+ (which I assume is overall, please correct me if I am wrong) and his 25-54 beats-down the same demo for everyone else. Hmmm that seems to run contrary with the argument that The Factor and Fox appeal to an older audience.
May-November trend is a monster for the show as well. I feel sorry for Campbell Brown but only because I think she is hot.
Great stuff Mike!
Just a quick historical check, the US was not “the first to outlaw slavery” and they were not one of the first. They were way down that list and fought a civil war over it. Canada outlawed slavery 62 years before the US and the UK did it 31 years before. Just two examples.
Brian, your post is wrong on so many levels. America wasn’t the first, or even near the first, to outlaw slavery. Where did America’s slaves go during the underground railroad? And you quite ignore the contribution of other countries in “saving the planet.” It’s that kind of thinking that makes people hate America for the arrogance of a few of its citizens.
What FNC sells is fear, and the fearful watch it. The communists are taking over, the abortionists want to kill your babies, Obama wants to kill Grandma, the gays want to corrupt your children, the UN wants to abolish the US government, the feminists want to kill the men, etc, etc, etc. This is what FNC sells. How do I know? Not for watching – every dittohead post I’ve read is a laundry list of these “fears,” so I can only assume that’s what’s going on on that network.
Doug(2), the communism is on the rise(to a point,)the abortionists do NOT want to kill your babies(but they do get paid for it),Obama does NOT want to kill grandma,the gays are NOT trying to corrupt the children,but the U.N. does not only want to get rid of the U.S. government but all governments and turn it into a one-world government, that is why they are trying to make a one-world currency, it’s just the beginning, and not even the most radical feminists want to kill men, but some of them really do hate men.
This is not the stuff FOX news sells. I watch FOX news and I don’t buy most of the examples you just gave.
Nancy Grace is abrasive and annoying, she always has that scowl makes want to smack her.
As for Doug – that is true only where Glenn Beck is concerned, there is an element of truth to what certain people on the left really want. If the US basically files bankruptcy and the US dollar is debased to the point of worthlessness, some of that could happen.
“What FNC sells is fear, and the fearful watch it. The communists are taking over, the abortionists want to kill your babies, Obama wants to kill Grandma, the gays want to corrupt your children, the UN wants to abolish the US government, the feminists want to kill the men, etc, etc, etc. This is what FNC sells. How do I know? Not for watching – every dittohead post I’ve read is a laundry list of these “fears,” so I can only assume that’s what’s going on on that network.”
A lot of people believe the above simple minded rant. The truth is that people aren’t that stupid, and people watch or listen to a show that is interesting, entertaining, and has some credibility. O’Reilly is kind of a hothead and a bit of a snakeoil saleman, but he is also a very good journalist and is entertaining so i watch him. I also watch Olbermann from time to time, but there isn’t much there in his monotonous mean spirited slapstick he delivers. His schtick makes you wonder if he really believes half of what he says.
People that do believe Olbermann’s every word, obviously long for the day when, after taxes have risen enough , a new version of the German Democratic Republic can be established here in America, I wonder if Keith shed a tear when the wall was torn down?
I think Fox New’s has a couple of things going for it, none of which is that it is “right.”
(1) It is a dissenting opinion, and it does provide an interesting contrast to the other networks.
(2) It’s relatively informal style, while abrasive and potentially discriminatory against the people they don’t like, feels like “community-building” to those who they do like.
As a moderate lefty, paradoxically, what I think would be great is if there was a moderate conservative news channel (and I do believe other news outlets are biased left). I think moderate conservatives often make good points, but I hate to see them all drift into Fox News for their news reporting because of lack of another alternative. Of course, that doesn’t seem to be the direction we are heading in, as even traditional news outlets who were slightly left of center seem to be moving further to the left.
Politics, entertainment and ratings make strange bedfellows. Moderates are more likely to get elected (historically), but extremists are more entertaining. The fact is, while news used to strive to be politically neutral and to focus on education and not entertainment, modern society doesn’t reward those types of programs with ratings. Instead, news has to become politically charged and entertaining, leading to a polarized news media that really reflects little of the United States in terms of opinion, but much of what the United States likes in terms of “entertainment consumption.”
I on occasion flip over to MSNBC and just have to laugh at Olbermann. It’s the same old song and dance w/ a sneer. By the way, day 3250+ since anyone actually took any kind of “reporting” from MS(DNC)NBC seriously. Maybe Olbermann can score a part time gig on ESPN3 when he gets canned.
I never understood the comments about Olbermann’s ratings and the idea that he will get canceled, I mean compared to Fox News he isn’t very highly rated but compared to everyone else he has better ratings. Basically he will be the last one not on Fox News that gets canceled because of ratings, he may even out last some Fox News hosts.
Olbermann and Grace are a pair. They are both histrionics!
Papa Bear is dominating. Fox, like the other stations, do not decide elections. Liberals will watch MSNBC and Conservatives will watch Fox. I would have thought MSNBC would have done better now that a liberal is in the White House. MSNBC’s pundits are, in my opinion, very hard to watch for more than a segment or two. It’s still about Bush,Cheney and Palin. It’s monotonous.
Chaos…while I disagree with your politics, I appreciate the intellgent perspective, lacking the rancor of the typical “only inbred white trash racists watch Fox News” stuff we usually get from the left here.
I think you have a point too, that if there were a cable news network that truly was down the middle and gave the right respect, it would probably take some of the air out of Fox. Why no one gets that, I can’t really explain.
Ed
O’Reilly attracks people who have nothing better to do than whine and complain about politics. Liberals won in 2009 and is really not press to watch TV that focuses on politics. We can listen to the local networks.
Oreilly is a high flying combat pilot and now Beck is his tailgunner !
Olberman, Mathews and Ralph Maddow are just bombing !
Oreilly & O’Beck have won the ratings war and now it’s just mopping up the Zuckerman snake pit.
And I believe that anyone who believes the things that beck says is just as nutty as he is…..his ratings are all about entertainment for the most angry and cynical portion of the electorate…Now even if you disagree with O’reilly and his tactics he is not as far off the charts as Beck or Hannity….I am one of the people that watch Beck and Hannity so I can feel angry….It feels like I am going into a boxing match….I watch for five to seven minutes and when I’m over worked mentally from the stupidity and just can’t take it anymore……I turn and take a breather…..gather myself…….. and only when I have cleared my mind of all detriment I attempt to step back into the ring of pandemonium,instability and and mere lunacy for another attempted bruising of my mental…..So basically I watch the shows for a workout….Also when I have to debate the less informed I always get prepared by watching these two guys…their followers usually repeat verbatim the things that these guys put into the air….So it is so easy to prove them wrong once you show them facts….they are so predictable….
LMAO @ Grady….
….pick a topic on those shows and “prove” them wrong. I’d love to hear to arrogant, elitist, misguided, socialist, and ignorant view of a liberal on these topics. The reason you feel angry is that these two are shedding light on the socialist/communist hoax being pushed on America. I’ve said it before…..if you want america to turn into a welfare, socialist, redistributive country just say it! Own it. That IS what is being pushed….why, if its such a good idea, do you, libs, and the white house, hid from this premise?
You can tell who the Dems and the Republicans are in this comment thread. The Dems feel they have to defend their liberal voices while the Republicans wag their finger and say, “See?”
Truth is, this is a center right country, and as long as it is, extreme liberals will use the “the right uses fear” to defend their position because they have no evidence to back up their claims while the right does the same thing, and does provide “evidence” that some of it is highly suspect.
Just looking at the numbers, strictly, a vast majority of who the Dems claims to be supporters, demographically speaking, do not appear to be buying what they are selling but is with Fox. But with the American public so wishy washy these days, who knows how long Fox can stay on top? I wouldn’t place any bets on any time frame.
simly msnbc talks that every thing is bad about the right and never says what is wrong about the left. is that real to any one with half a brain/
Joe the Patriot, I think that bridge between Obey and ESPN has not only been burnt, but hit with a multi megaton bomb, Obey likes to go after his previouse employers, that is why when he gets let go from msnbc, his only option will be to work for midnight sports watch on ch 59, the only show on the north coast dedicated to the art form known as Curling
Robin…………You state:
“”"Liberals won in 2009 and is really not press to watch TV that focuses on politics. “”"”
Exactly which “Liberals” won in 2009?? It seems like the “few” races this past cycle, were won by republicans.
The only election where a Democrat won was the New York 23rd district special election.
I have been a liberal, Democrat my whole life. But this administration goes too far. I am apalled by the utter bias and lies of Olbermann and his ilk.
I think Glenn Beck “gets it” about what it means to be an American.
America is wealthy and prosperous not because Americans are better, smarter, or luckier than the rest of the world. America is great because of the government. PERIOD.
Beck brings this point home. I love him for it. And he is telling us the truth. Obama is a socialist with an agenda. And the alphabet press should be tried for treason, in my opinion.
Sally,
I agree with you 100 percent. I, too, was a lifelong democrat till this past election. I used to watch all three cable news networks, but MSNBC sold it’s soul during the democratic primary and CNN, while not as agregious, fell in line with the left. So now I only watch Fox, and apparantly I am not alone.
The “Liberals”, who want to “share the Loot”, should think about the
“Day after” the “Loot” has run out, and there is’nt any more.
That Day is quick approching,and then WHAT.
As a Democrat I know why Obama approval ratings are slipping. Its because he hasnt been strong within his own base….health care was suppose to be done before the august recess and democrats in congress are not getting anything done because they are doing wayyyyyyyy to much “compromising” with republicans and i think because of that they are losing independent votes….now health care is turning into abortion…until obama starts showing some real leadership and get unemployment between 5-7% then the democrats wont be in congress in 2010…and if Obama think he is having problems now jut wait and see what happens if republicans take back the house….he really isnt going to get anything done…..so as a democrat i am very dissappointed in this adminstration right now….they have to show me and tell me why i should vote in 2010 and show y i should vote for obama in 2012…and so far i havent seen it…..
Now i will give Republicans credit…when they want something done far as foregin spending and cutting taxes…they get it done no questions asked…they are like screw democrats and lets get it done….idk y democrats dont and cant be that strong and they have majorites….hmm i guess they just dont get it sometimes….
Seminal moments in the decline of MSNBC:
Chris Matthews: “I get a thrill up my leg….” and “It’s not a crime to call Al Qaeda is it?”
Who knew that so many Americans were so stupid? Apparently, at least 60% of cable news viewers are FNC “fear mongering wackos” who believe that there is a limit to the amount of money the government can borrow from China in order to pay for our every whim. We informed progressives know that part of the overall “greening of America” will involve planting money trees on the south lawn of the White House, the fruit of which will be distributed among the least motivated among us. I urge all my Comrades to redouble their efforts and work even harder, so that we may build a more comfortable hammock for the “less fortunate”. Let’s help all the people Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly crushed on their way up the ladder of success.
While FOX’s prime-time commentators certainly do lean right, I give them huge credit for the following (which is NOT displayed on MSDNC, at very least):
1) They do, on occasion if not frequently, throw stones at the Republicans. How often do Less Nessman (aka Keith Olbermann) or Rachel Maddow do this with liberals/Dems?
2) The FOX shows actually invite people that DON’T agree with the hosts! Shocking, I know. And they even do it REGULARLY! It is standard operating procedure. Olbermann and Maddow seem to rotate between Adriana Huffington, folks from Salon.com, moveon.org, AirAmerica and other standard liberal fare. It’s comical – like having two Yankees fans debate which baseball team is their favorite.
I’m waiting for some genius at a major MSM network news organization to wake up and realize that moving to the center and then perhaps continuing on a bit to the right might actually benefit their ratings. I am not, however, holding my breath.
The country is awakening to the idea that the government cannot provide everything to everyone and be sustainable. That, I believe, is why Fox is #1 – they are the only channel to question the concept of big government.
When 50% of the population is dependent on the government for everything, and the government is dependent on collecting taxes from the other 50% to pay for everything, there will come a day when the 50% who are working and not receiving will stop working… and that’s the beginning of the end.
Governments do not create wealth. People and businesses create wealth. And history shows that governments who “spread the wealth” encourage those who create it to stop creating it. That, my friends, is how the standard of living for an entire society is destroyed. That, is the path our administration is on. And that is why Fox, who questions that path, is growing in popularity while the others shrink.
Who wants to watch a slime like Oberbite or Madcow? All they do is trash our own country, that is why FOX News rules in the ratings, I’m sorry but 80% of Americans do not want to hear their country slimmed by these kooks on the left, that is why MSPMS doesn’t even come close to FOX News.
There’s a hilarious video of SNL making fun of Obama.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/11/22/snl_mocks_obama__jintao_press_conference.html
If you want to see where the liberals fall in the discussion, just watch MSNBC during their prime time lineup(if you can stand it for more than 3 minutes). I’ll leave looking at Neilson results up to you, but ratings don’t lie….MMMMM…MMMMM..MMM.
Sally and Tony…you are two people who exemplify being an American. Parties aside, your eyes are open(even if you’re Dems..haha)and you see where we are headed. I salute both of you!
Interesting how even with the separation, the cable news audience flows up and down together.
DemonJoe: that video is hilarious. I do not watch SNL becuase there is a lot of stuff on that show that is not funny…okay I must be getting old. This video was hilarious. I was laughing LOUD!!!
Well, I cannot watch any of these other channels. The stuff they feed us is straight out of Alinksy’s Rules for Radicals
PEOPLE, we need to give it right back to them two fold!
Is anyone more of a JERK on TV than Keith Olbermann? They guy thinks he can walk on water and that I would pay to see (as long as it was somewhere in the middle of the ocean).
Rosie, I am surprised any show on NBC would make fun of Obama, hope they didn’t get threatened by the executives or something.
Whenever I turn on kieth and rachel, I find myself asking myself how is it possible that a news agency could voluntarily provide a forum to these narcisistic talentless individuals?…because they are not making any money for the parent company that’s for sure as the ratings continuously and overwhelmingly show…but the tide is changing beyond the fnc killer ratings which have been continuously great…..snl is none to happy with the annointed one and that may just actually be more significant or more telling than the aforementioned fnc ratings themselves!!!
Brian you are wrong about the U.S. and slavery, we were in fact behind the curve and were one of the last of civilized nations to abolish slavery.(didn’t do it till 1865)
read a book
Its not about ratings with MSNBC its about ideology. All of their shows are horrible and they just dont care. Can you imagine if O’Reilly got a thrill running up his leg whenever Bush spoke? They are the experts there at hate mongering. I am sick of hearing how evil America is from them. I am ok with torturing terrorist and if it was up to me I would treat them like American citizens and throw them in the general population at San Quentin.
I am not filled with fear—-and I watch Fox News. I have been betrayed by CNN …. and most of the other networks. CNN, etc., have been so in the tank for Obama … and stopped telling us the truth – they are no longer into true reporting—rather, true journalism has been abandoned in support of their candidate and their political agenda. All those people on CNN were my “friends” … and yes, they betrayed me, and it devastated me. I can no longer bear to watch Larry King or listen to Anderson Cooper’s voice. Fox News? Say what you may, but I trust them more than CNN, ABC, CBS, MSNBC ….
MSNBC (or MSDNC) has miserable programming and deserves the ratings plunge that we see. The Olbermann and Maddow shows are directed at the intellectually challenged sector of the nation. How can anyone absorb the Olbermann or Maddow diatribe and then watch them provide obligatory corroboration of their convoluted theories (no matter how lame) by bringing on their “guest” (signular, always one) who (you guessed it) always agree with them? Laughable…does MSNBC (Immelt??) really think trashing America and having some no mind agree with you is that popular? If you can stomach and/or enjoy that dysfunctional crap, you deserve to go down with the ship. BTW, all you MSNBC lovers, what is it with this continual frontal assault on the Fox News Network? Don’t you think that makes viewers more curious about Fox and thus help raise the Fox ratings? What is the “theory” here? I am sure Comcast will be interested.