Sunday, June 19, 2005
Klein's Dilemma
Source: Newsweek Jon Klein happy about Nacy Grace's success so far at HLN? That's the question some folks want answered. Anyway Newsweek has a pretty good article about how Klein litteraly was biting his tongue during the all the Wacko Jacko last week saying it was going to happen again at CNN. BUT Klein was keeping an eye on Nancy Grace on HLN as her program outperformed every CNN prime-time program in the ratings EXCEPT Larry King. Below is an excerpt from the article:
CNN officials say they have numbers
to be proud of, pointing to strong improvement in the key 25-to-54 demographic and a powerful performance by the brand name when CNN's numbers are combined with those of its sister network, Headline News. That network has improved dramatically in the ratings thanks almost entirely to its legal-affairs program hosted by Nancy Grace. Last Thursday, Grace drew 804,000 viewers, more than any CNN prime-time program save for "Larry King Live."But therein lies Klein's dilemma. His vision may win over media critics who've grown weary of the food-fight culture of cable news. But Grace's style is what moves the numbers. (The former prosecutor's overly opinionated approach—"You're telling me what you believe doesn't matter?" she asked the Jackson jury's foreman in a postverdict duel—led Court TV founder Steven Brill to say he would have fired her for such talk. Grace makes no claim to being an objective journalist but insists that "as an officer of the court" she is always careful in interviews "not to misrepresent the facts.")
Klein declined to comment on Grace, saying Headline News does not fall under his jurisdiction. But some at the network wonder if he isn't secretly happy to have her on the air. With Grace safely tucked away at Headline News, they reason, Klein can
preach his message of highbrow journalism even as the network continues to rake in tabloid gold. Whatever Klein's ultimate strategy, it seems clear that Grace—who's been discussed as a possible successor to the ratings-rich Larry King—isn't going anywhere any time soon. "The old CNN is [esteemed political anchor] Judy Woodruff," said one veteran producer who declined to speak on the record for fear of upsetting Klein. "The new CNN is Nancy Grace."# posted by ATN @ 12:30 PM 
