Saturday, May 14, 2005

 

Letting Your Voice Be Heard: What's Happening At CNN?


A number of responses have been recieved so far. You will find them HERE. Send in your response to cnnblog@yahoo.com or use the anonymous news tip link. You DO NOT have to fill in the e-mail and name fields. They are not required to send comments.

# posted by ATN @ 11:54 PM
 

FNC Brings Up Rear with Bridge Closing News


CNN beat FNC in reporting the closure of the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday afternoon. CNN ran a "Just In" bulletin at 4:24pm EDT, reporting an abandoned vehicle had forced the closure of the bridge. FNC did not report the news until 4:53pm EDT with you got it, a FOX NEWS ALERT.

Don't know about MSNBC because i don't have MS on my cable line-up.

Update: 5:00pm EDT CNN now reporting traffic is flowing again on the Brooklyn Bridge. A false alarm it seems.

# posted by ATN @ 4:56 PM
 

DCG Rants: Does Anybody Know What's Happening at CNN?


What's happening at CNN? No one seems to know, not even Jon Klein. In his short tenure at CNN, Klein has turned CNN prime-time into nothing more than back-to-back news magazine programs. Instead of news, viewers get "special behind the scenes" reports. Then once CNN airs a particular segment, it gets played time and time again until you just wish the tape would break. Even HLN airs the "behind the scenes" segments.

If JK did all of this for ratings, it ain't workin. NewsNight saw some of it's worst numbers in the program's history this week. Nancy Grace firmed up her numbers this past week, beating Paula Zahn several times in the 8pm hour. Lou Dobbs' numbers suck. Even Larry King is having problems breaking the one million mark. At some point all this has to start hurting where it really hurts, the pocket book.

Will things get better? Well they sure can't get much worse. But then again it would be real sad if Headline News becomes the 2nd place cable news channel. But then who knows, MSNBC might get it's act together and take over the 2nd place spot and then nothing will be happening at CNN.

Wanna let your voice be heard on this subject? Shoot us an e-mail at cnnblog@yahoo.com OR use the anonymous tip link on the left side of blog.

# posted by ATN @ 1:31 PM
 

It's CNNI and It's on the Air, Over There


Source: The Dallas Morning News (reg required) Jerry V. Haines writes his experience of watching CNN/International while traveling overseas. Haines also compares CNN/US and CNN/I:

CNNI news stories are more worldwide in scope than those at home: much more on African issues, for example, or train crashes in Turkey or elections in Indonesia. But where's the Michael Jackson trial? And have these people never heard of The Apprentice?

CNNI feeds virtually any part of the globe that can receive service from the 38 satellites that carry it, although there is a bit of a coverage problem in North Korea. The programming originates in three major studios: Atlanta (where CNNI shares a building with domestic CNN), London and Hong Kong.

How much of the world each feeds at any given time depends on which region is in "prime time" and which stock markets are active at the moment. The studios hand off to one another at hour and half-hour breaks – almost seamlessly except for slight differences in studio decor.

I often credit CNNI for ruining my day. Because of differences in time zone, U.S. stock markets sometimes close before I awake. Thus, not only am I faced with eating noodles and rice gruel for breakfast, but I already know that my 401-K went down the commode today.

CNNI's weather forecasting is emblematic of the difference between news coverage abroad and what we're used to in the U.S.

Weather doesn't stop at national borders. Logically, I know this, but hearing weathercaster Femi Oke speak of a high pressure ridge extending from Oslo to Lisbon as if she were talking about Milwaukee and Kansas City, it's, well, just so darned.

Lucky blokes: They get to feel like they're still on holiday, getting updated on the news from Norway, Nigeria and Nepal. And sitting through 15 minutes of soccer news to get a few baseball scores.

# posted by ATN @ 10:33 AM
 

Why Is There Nothing To Watch In The Morning?


Source: The Day.com Fraizer Moore pretty much sums it all up in this article about the morning programs on the broadcast networks AND cable news outlets. Here's what Moore has to say about the morning cable news programs:
I find the cable-news networks lacking, too.
However irreverent and dishy, “Imus in the Morning” on MSNBC is just Don Imus' radio show tricked out with video. Meanwhile, Fox News Channel's “Fox & Friends” is sort of like made-for-TV radio, with a lively “zoo crew” of hosts who chorus each day's right-wing talking points in three-part harmony. CNN's “American Morning” is the closest thing to suitable. But the cackling, tickled-with-themselves trio on each “90-Second Pop” segment rattles my apartment with change-the-channel insistence.

# posted by ATN @ 10:21 AM

Friday, May 13, 2005

 

Cosby Looking to do "Well" at MSNBC


Source: MSNBC Press Release Yeah, I know I am kinda late posting this BUT I didn't see a rush because it dealt with MSNBC. Looks as though Rita cosby will be calling MSNBC home. No response yet from FNC BUT I'm sure it would go something like this: "We wish Rita well at MSNBC." Below is a excerpt from the press release:

Rita Cosby will join MSNBC, it was announced today by Rick Kaplan, President of MSNBC. Cosby will start with the network in June and will anchor a daily evening program. In addition, she will serve as a special correspondent. Cosby's program is in development and will debut in the fourth quarter.

"Rita is a tireless and talented journalist and we are thrilled to welcome her to MSNBC," said Kaplan. "She continually manages to secure the most sought after interviews and handles them brilliantly. Rita will play a prominent role at MSNBC as an anchor and special correspondent. We are looking forward to starting development of her new program."

"Being asked to anchor a daily evening show is a tremendous opportunity for me," said Cosby. "I am anxious to get started and look forward to being an integral part of the MSNBC team."

# posted by ATN @ 9:27 PM
 

CNN's Prime-time #'s Plummet


Source: TV Newser

Thursday Prime-time #'s

6pm: Hume: 1,103,000 / Dobbs: 350,000 / Abrams: 176,000

7pm: Shep: 1,411,000 / Cooper: 427,000 / Hardball: 254,000

8pm: O'Reilly: 2,262,000 / Zahn: 452,000 / Olbermann:373,000 / Grace: 551,000

9pm: H&C: 1,647,000 / King: 887,000 / MSNBC Investigates: 172,000

10pm: Greta: 1,495,000 / NewsNight: 344,000 / Scarborough: 237,000

UPDATE: An e-mailer has this to say: "But Jon Klein says "everyone's HAPPY!!" guess he doesn't see the numbers, or read the emails or listen to the people that work at and for CNN. It all SUCKS!"

# posted by ATN @ 6:02 PM
 

Crime In Prime Next Week


Source: CNN Pressroom Crime Week’ Includes King Exclusive with Robert Blake, Gupta CSI Special, Other Crime-related Reports
For an extensive week of prime-time reports, CNN investigates all aspects of crime from serial murders to the effectiveness of DNA evidence on cold cases to the Robert Blake murder trial. As part of “Crime Week” from Sunday, May 15, through Friday, May 20, CNN will examine perpetrators of crime, law enforcement and criminal investigation methods.

“Crime Week” begins with the premiere of a Dr. Sanjay Gupta Primetime Special, “Anatomy of a Murder: Crime Scene Investigation” on Sunday, May 15, at 10 p.m. Gupta follows both the CSI: Miami television cast and crew and a real CSI unit in Miami to illustrate the detective work and technology that is used to get to the bottom of crimes. Viewers can conduct their own investigation at www.cnn.com/services/anatomy/murder, an online site which walks them through a lifelike crime scene and instructs them to collect evidence that will later be analyzed by a lab.

On Monday, May 16, CNN’s Larry King Live has an exclusive interview with Robert Blake, who will discuss the trial against him for his wife’s murder and his subsequent acquittal on criminal charges. He will also discuss his civil case disposition and his future plans. Larry King Live airs nightly from 9-10 p.m.

Anderson Cooper 360° will examine crime all week from 7-9 p.m. Topics include the Atlanta courthouse shootings, insurance fraud, abuses of the emergency 911 system, sex trafficking, Megan’s law and the BTK killer. NewsNight with Aaron Brown, which airs nightly from 10-11 p.m., will take a deeper look at crime scene investigation. NewsNight will re-play “Anatomy of a Murder” on Monday, May 16, and will explore various aspects of crime scene technology during the rest of the week.

# posted by ATN @ 1:46 PM
 

Quick News


# posted by ATN @ 8:31 AM
 

African Journalists Finalists Announced


Source: Marketingweb Finalists in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2005 Competition, were announced today by Joel Kibazo, Chairperson of the independent judging panel.

This first time partnership with MultiChoice has not only helped expand the competition to 630 entrants but has also ensured its truly pan-African nature. The competition, held in association with South African Airways and sponsored by a number of leading African companies, received entries from 40 countries throughout the continent, including Francophone and Lusophone Africa.

The 16 finalists, from eight nations, are:Ntai Bagshaw, Daily Independent, Nigeria; Sakina Datoo, Jambo, Tanzania; Benjamin Joffe-Walt, Freelance, South Africa; Julie Kelly and Nicolene Troll, First Edit for Carte Blanche, M-Net, South Africa ;Sarah Kimani and Orto Sori Orto, Nation Television, Kenya; Angelo Kinyua, Medeva for KBC, Kenya; Nadia Lamlili, L'Economiste, Morocco; Nkepile Mabuse, e.tv, South Africa; Hilary Mbobe, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Malawi; José Luïs Mendonça, Freelance for África Lusófona Magazine, Angola; Jessica Pitchford, SABC, South Africa; Mohamed Saïm, Radio Nationale Algérienne, Algeria; Roseline Wangui Wanyiri, Nation Television, Kenya; Debbie Yazbek, The Star, South Africa.

The winners of the competition, now celebrating its tenth anniversary, will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in Kenya at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi on Saturday June 25th. One of the co-hosts for the evening will be Jeff Koinange, CNN’s Africa Correspondent.

The CNN African Journalist of the Year Award was founded in 1995 by Edward Boateng (formerly African Regional Director for Turner Broadcasting System Inc., CNN’s parent company) and the late Mohamed Amin, to recognise and encourage excellence in journalism throughout Africa.

# posted by ATN @ 8:09 AM
 

Kurtz Profiled


Source: MarketWatch Jon Friedman profiles CNN's Reliable Sources host/Washington Post writer Howard Kurtz. Friedman writes: "Kurtz wins accolades in the industry for being reliable, knowledgeable and, above all, open minded. That's no small compliment at a time when the media have to contend with three startling developments: the rise of blogs, the public's ever-eroding confidence in the truthfulness or fairness of the mainstream media and the polarization of red and blue America. " Read complete article HERE.

# posted by ATN @ 8:05 AM
 

Shake-up at FNC


Source: Variety FNC will not renew a contract with weekend host Rita Cosby, as the two sides couldn't come to an agreement on an extension, the network said.

Cosby hosted "The Big Story Weekend Edition With Rita Cosby" at 9 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday at 6 p.m. she hosted "Fox News Live With Rita Cosby."

Cosby will leave the network immediately. No replacement host has been appointed, nor has a decision been made on the future of the shows, Fox News said.

# posted by ATN @ 8:02 AM

Thursday, May 12, 2005

 

MSNBC.com Beats CNN.com Two Months Running


Source: Lost Remote.com The Nielsen/NetRatings numbers for April have just been released, and MSNBC.com comes out on top in the general news category. Yahoo News follows in second place. CNN.com in third. Numbers below...

1. MSNBC.com 23,598

2. Yahoo News 23,337

3. CNN.com 20,783

4. AOL News 17,282

5. Gannett 11,596

6. NYTimes.com 10,476

7. USAToday.com 9,982

8. IBS 9,544

9. Knight Ridder 9,477

10. Tribune 8,960

Source: Nielsen//NetRatings. Unique users in 000s.

# posted by ATN @ 9:24 PM
 

Standing up for Aaron Brown


Source: The Huffington Post BLOG Cable Neuhaus writes: It's an awful shame that Aaron Brown needs defending at all, but the fact of the matter is that the poor guy has got more than his share of vocal critics.

I once heard Walter Isaacson, then the president of CNN, tell a small audience that Brown was the most polarizing on-air figure at the then-strugglinng network. At the time, viewers tended to either adore him or despise him. Lately, however, sentiment seems to have inexplicably shifted against the nighttime anchor.

Too bad.

It's not necessary that all these critics be silenced. In America we get to toss darts at our vastly overpaid TV-news personalities, even to name-call if that's what helps regulate our bp. But it would be nice if every once in a while someone would stand up and publicly pronounce support for Brown, who seems the very embodiment of professionalism and decency.

Therefore ... I hereby rise in defense of Aaron, anchor of NewsNight, defender of traditional news values, beleaguered face of CNN.

There, I've said it.

Read whole post.

# posted by ATN @ 8:27 PM
 

The Grace/Zahn Cat Fight


Source: TV Newser

Wednesday Show #'s

7pm: Shep: 1,178,000 / Cooper: 470,000 / Hardball: 232,000

8pm: O'Reilly: 2,540,000 / Grace: 536,000 / Zahn: 467,000 / Olbermann: 298,000

9pm: H&C: 1,764,000 / King: 804,000 / Abrams: 353,000 / Miller: 91,000 (scratch)

10pm: Greta: 1,499,000 / NewsNight: 595,000 / Scarborough: 336,000 / Deutsch: 81,000 (scratch)

PZN barely Beats Grace Tuesday

Source: Inside Cable News

7PM-Shepard Smith - 1,429,000 / Anderson Cooper 360 - 487,000 / Hardball - 278,000

8PM- O’Reilly - 2,136,000 / Paula Zahn- 444,000 / Countdown - 394,000 / Nancy Grace - 400,000

9 PM- Hannity & Colmes - 1,643,000 / Larry King - 1,191,000 / Abrams Report - 385,000 / Dennis Miller - a scratch with 103,000 viewers

10 PM- Greta Van Susteren- 1,742,000 / Aaron Brown- 676,000 / Scarborough - 321,000/ Donny Deutsch - a scratch with 72,000 viewers

# posted by ATN @ 7:15 PM
 

GW Worried About the Loss of Crossfire


Source: The GW Hatchet George Washington University is worried it's relationship with CNN. It seems CNN execs are giving GWU the run-around. Below is a portion of an article in The GW Hatchet:

In January, Michael Freedman, GW's vice president for communications, said CNN planned on bringing "Inside Politics" to GW to replace the outgoing "Crossfire." But questions about the future of "Inside Politics" arose in April when Judy Woodruff, the show's anchor, announced she would leave the show when her contract expires in June.

It is unclear if the new block of programming could call GW home. Blitzer has a relationship with the University, having spoken here several times over the last few years. In 2001, he delivered the keynote address at the grand opening of the SMPA - the building from which "Crossfire" broadcasts. He is friends with University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and attends men's basketball games.

Freedman did not return phone calls or e-mails about when "Crossfire" would end or if another CNN show would replace it at GW. Tracy Schario, GW's director of media relations, said she had no comment on the June 3 date and added that she has "no confirmed details" about the show's ending date or CNN's future at GW.

If GW fails to land another show, it could mark the loss of an important recruiting tool for the University. The 2005 Kaplan/Newsweek college guide called GW the "hottest school for political junkies," partly because of its affiliation with "Crossfire" and the opportunities students have to work on the show.

Klein announced the cancellation of "Crossfire" in December. In January, CNN producer Sam Feist told By George! magazine the show would be off the air by February or March. Freedman told The Hatchet in January that the show could last through the end of the semester.

# posted by ATN @ 6:32 PM
 

Amanpour Leaving 60 Minutes


Source: AJC Christiane Amanpour, television's best-known international correspondent, said Thursday she's ending her part-time stint at CBS' "60 Minutes" because the arrangement had "run its course."

Amanpour is continuing as chief international correspondent for CNN.

She had been contributing to "60 Minutes" since 1996, usually four or five stories a year. This season she's done two: a profile of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, and a story about how the U.S. military sent a psychology unit to Iraq to help deal with battle fatigue.

The arrangement with "60 Minutes" "allowed me to report in-depth international stories for a large and important American audience, a mission I am dedicated to," she said in a statement. "But I have concluded this unique arrangement has now run its course and therefore I have decided not to seek a renewal of my contract with 60 Minutes.'"

Reached in London, Amanpour would not elaborate on her statement. People close to her have said she's concerned that the type of hard-hitting international stories she's done are not valued as much at "60 Minutes" as they were under founding executive producer Don Hewitt.

Jeff Fager, the show's current executive producer, said that was a distortion.

"I think she's a very classy correspondent," he said. "She's smart. She's done terrific work over a long career."

There's some question whether CBS News would have even sought to renew her contract. Scott Pelley and Bob Simon have recently become much more active as "60 Minutes" correspondents, and they have a keen interest in international stories as well. MORE

# posted by ATN @ 6:18 PM
 

The Most Trusted Name in Fun?


Source: The Huffington Post Harry Shearer writes: I have no intention of competing with Mickey Kaus in the Bash CNN Prexy Johnathan Klein Derby. Kaus has lapped the field. But Klein seems to be on a mission to make himself risible. Fresh from a contentious interview with On the Media's Brooke Gladstone, he gives an upbeat assessment of CNN's primetime lineup to the subscription-only site Newsblues.com, which includes these nuggets:'

At 7, says Klein, Anderson Cooper "is having a lot of fun. He's not worrying so much about the voice of his show. He realizes he's the voice of his show."

And at 10, Aaron Brown "has been very flexible in thinking freshly about the show. It shows in his delivery, carriage, demeanor. He's having fun."'

Anderson's having a lot of fun. Aaron's just having fun. Aaron clearly has to work on his fun skills.

# posted by ATN @ 1:42 PM

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

 

Klein: I've seen very encouraging improvement" in Prime-time


Source: Philadelphia Inquirer Well it seems CNN Prez is satisfied with the improvements so far made to the CNN prime-time programs.

As for the network's prime-time lineup, CNN/U.S. chief Jonathan Klein plans no changes "for the foreseeable future. I've seen very encouraging improvement."

Let us count the ways.

At 7, Anderson Cooper "is having a lot of fun. He's not worrying so much about the voice of his show. He realizes he's the voice of his show."

Paula Zahn at 8 "is much more comfortable and relaxed."

And at 10, Aaron Brown "has been very flexible in thinking freshly about the show. It shows in his delivery, carriage, demeanor. He's having more fun."

We didn't forget 9, home of CNN's most popular host, Larry King, since 1985. Buzz is that new CNN Headline News bulldog Nancy Grace is being groomed to replace him. Not true, Klein says.

Grace, a frequent King sub, "is doing great where she is, and she's great for the overall CNN brand. I'm very happy with the lineup I've got. I feel no imperative whatsoever to juggle it."

# posted by ATN @ 12:23 PM
 

Former CNN'er Phones Home


Former CNN Veteran anchor/reporter Bernard Shaw phoned home Wednesday afternoon. Shaw phoned in a report during the BREAKING NEWS of an unidentified aircraft in the airspace of DC. Wolf Blitzer said Shaw lives in the area the unidentified aircraft was seen flying over.

Update: 4:40pm An e-mailer adds this: "You should have noted in your post about Bernard Shaw that CNN was LAST to report on the breaking news from Washington. Foxxy was first and MSNBC was second. CNN was over 3 minutes behind Foxxy who had a reporter on the air before Wolf even reported the story."

# posted by ATN @ 12:14 PM
 

AB Afraid to be "Compassionate"?


Source: New York Daily News Compassion & Choices - which advocates a "peaceful and humane death" for braindamaged patients, such as the late Terri Schiavo - can't give praise where it believes it is due.

The organization is trying to honor CNN "NewsNight" anchor Aaron Brown at its May 19 star- studded benefit for his coverage of the Schiavo story.
But according to actress and right-to-die activist Ally Sheedy, the '80s-era "Brat Pack" member, CNN barred Brown from showing up at the event for fear it would taint the network's objectivity.

"It doesn't make any sense to me!" the 42-year-old Sheedy told Lowdown yesterday. "We loved how CNN reported [the Schiavo issue], so these people are going to be honored anyway, even though they are prevented from being there."

But CNN said it was Brown, not his bosses, who put the kibosh on the prize.

"Aaron personally and respectfully declined," said a network spokeswoman. "He felt it was inappropriate to accept the award from an advocacy organization, however worthy."

# posted by ATN @ 12:05 PM
 

Man Mistaken for Ex-terror Suspect Sues CNN


Source: Democrat & Chronicle A Pittsford, NY man is suing two more media organizations for mistakenly using his photograph in place of that of a one-time terrorist suspect with the same name.

Asif Iqbal filed a second lawsuit suit Friday in state Supreme Court in which he claims that cable news giant CNN and a widely circulated Arab-language newspaper each used the misidentified photograph in 2004.

Iqbal claims CNN used his photo to illustrate a story about the British Iqbal in May 2004 on the CNN International and CNNfn channels.

# posted by ATN @ 8:16 AM
 

RIP Crossfire; Make Way for Blitzer


Source: Philadelphia Inquirer Already seen two hours a day (at noon and 5 p.m.), CNN's Wolf Blitzer will add 60 minutes of face time as anchor of a 3-to-6 p.m. political block targeted to launch in late July.

Don't look for the Wolf-man to howl with delight about being CNN's most visible talking head.
"Look, I'm a journalist, a reporter at heart," Blitzer, 57, says. "I take this seriously in terms of my responsibility, but the other stuff I don't take that seriously. I know I've got a job to do. I have to focus."

The new weekday show - no title yet - will be based in Washington. Sam Feist, senior executive producer of CNN's political programming, will call the shots.

To make room for Blitzer, the 3:30 p.m. Inside Politics, with Judy Woodruff, and 4:30 Crossfire will leave the schedule, CNN confirms. Both are out of the nation's capital.

Crossfire will have its final screamcast June 3. Woodruff's swan song is the same day, but IP will continue, in an expanded 3:30-to-5 p.m. format, until Blitzer's new show begins. No host yet.

Blitzer's staff will be selected from the Washington and Atlanta staffs of all three programs. No one is guaranteed a job, Blitzer says, but "a lot" will make the cut. For the others, "there will be other opportunities" at CNN.

Blitzer labels his increased visibility "a vote of confidence. I think our executives want me to be on the air more. I think the viewers like me, and I think I have good credibility with them."

UPDATE: Hollywood Reporter(via Reuters) has a good article about on this subject as well. You'll find it HERE.

# posted by ATN @ 8:09 AM

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

 

Ax About to Fall at CNN Center


Source: TV Newser A memo to CNN's Atlanta domestic technical operations staff, obtained by CNN, confirms several items of news -- and an insider suggests the "ax is about to fall." The memo confirms that CNN's 3 to 6pm programming will originate in DC. Larry King Live may also originate out of DC, according to the message from Cindy Patrick, Executive Vice President of Operations. "Some of the worst fears of the Atlanta technical staff are coming true," an e-mailer says. Here is the memo:

To the Atlanta Domestic Technical Operations Staff:

Yesterday in Jim Walton's Town Hall Meeting the executive management team announced a plan to originate the Monday-Friday 3-6pm CNN US programming hours out of DC. This is an exciting opportunity for CNN US to further develop and define the afternoon block and showcase some of our best reporting. This change will likely occur mid-summer. Also under consideration is originating Larry King Live out of DC. In this morning's editorial meeting, Jon Klein announced a plan to simulcast the Monday-Friday CNNI noon program on CNN US starting in mid-June.

Obviously these changes will have an impact on operations staffing and work schedules in Atlanta. While the details are still being determined, I wanted to give the technical ops team in Atlanta the benefit of early communication as this will eventually effect Atlanta staffing levels. I anticipate this will impact a handful of operations positions.

Often we are able to manage staffing level changes through natural attrition -- staff movement that occurs as people find their own new opportunities, hopefully within CNN/Turner. Right now we have the benefit of open operations positions in Atlanta, DC and NY.In addition, Jim indicated during yesterday's panel that new business initiatives would be announced soon. Therefore, I encourage all of you to look at turnerjobs.com for opportunities that match your skills as well as your personal career goals.

In the coming days, I will compile and circulate a list of operations positions that are currently open. And, as always, please look to your management team for any career coaching advice.

These situations are bound to cause you some concern and we all (myself and the ops mgmt team) are respectful of that. Please contact me or your managers with any questions. I will continue to communicate with you as information becomes available.

Respectfully,

Cindy Patrick

# posted by ATN @ 9:43 PM
 

Monday Night #'s


Source: Drudge

FNC O'REILLY 2,396,000
FNC HANNITY/COLMES 1,508,000
COMEDY DAILY SHOW 1,473,000
FNC GRETA 1,457,000
FNC SHEP SMITH 1,347,000
CNN LARRY KING 893,000
CNN PAULA ZAHN 577,000
CNNHN NANCY GRACE 566,000
CNN AARON BROWN 508,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 496,000
MSNBC HARDBALL 331,000
MSNBC SCARBOROUGH 320,000
E! JACKSON TRIAL 149,000
CNBC DENNIS MILLER 103,000

# posted by ATN @ 6:42 PM
 

CNN/U.S. Showcases Global Resources with Your World Today Simulcast


Source: CNN Pressroom As part of a collaborative effort to draw upon CNN News Group’s international services, CNN/U.S. will offer a simulcast of CNN International’s Your World Today from noon to 1 p.m. (ET) each weekday, it was announced today by Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. The simulcast will begin Monday, June 6.

“The simulcast demonstrates the depth and reach of the entire CNN News Group and not just one domestic network,” Klein said. “We cover international news better than anyone. Why not give our U.S. viewers a real opportunity to see the type of stories they cannot see anywhere else?”

Broadcast globally through CNN International, Your World Today offers a daily, in-depth look at current world affairs through the eyes of the day’s top newsmakers and political analysts. Originating from Atlanta, Your World Today is anchored by Jim Clancy and Zain Verjee. In addition, the program will be expanded to include updates on top domestic stories to enhance the CNN/U.S. airing.

The simulcast displays the heightened levels of collaboration among the networks of the CNN News Group most recently demonstrated in the coverage of the tsunami disaster in South Asia, continuing developments in the Middle East and the death and funeral of Pope John Paul II.

“CNN has the unique ability to gather and report news from even the most remote parts of the world,” said Chris Cramer, managing director of CNN International. “Unlike every other domestic news network, CNN has an international strategy, a plan to bring the news of the world to the world. This simulcast is indicative of that effort.”

DCG comments: What a shocker! This could wind up being the BEST move yet by Mr. Klein. Thanks JK!

# posted by ATN @ 5:15 PM
 

The Scoop on Blitzer


Source: Inside Cable News FTVLive is reporting today that Wolf Blitzer will get the entire 3-6pm ET block — with a show to be anchored, produced and switched from DC. His current noon ET slot would likely shift back to an Atlanta-based anchor.

# posted by ATN @ 4:04 PM
 

New Head of PR Named


Source: CNN Pressroom Veteran communications executive and brand builder Laurie Goldberg will join the CNN News Group executive team to lead public relations and publicity efforts, it was announced today by Shirley Powell, senior vice president of corporate communications for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. In her new role, effective June 6, Goldberg will oversee all public relations activity supporting CNN news networks and businesses including CNN/U.S., CNN Headline News, CNN.com, CNN en Español, CNN Airport Channel, CNNRadio and CNN Newsource.

Goldberg will serve as a key adviser to the CNN executive leadership team on communications and strategy issues, will represent CNN to the media as its chief spokesperson and will oversee all Atlanta-, New York-, Washington, D.C.- and Los Angeles-based CNN PR personnel. Christa Robinson remains senior vice president of public relations for CNN. Goldberg will maintain offices in Atlanta and New York and will report to Powell.

“Of all the strengths Laurie brings to this critical role, what most impresses me, and what ultimately will be most valuable to CNN, is her versatility,” said Powell. “Her skill at messaging on behalf of leading brands to targeted audiences in highly competitive markets is exactly what CNN needs now to help extend its momentum. She is ideally suited for this challenging assignment, and I know she’ll run with it.”

# posted by ATN @ 4:02 PM

Monday, May 09, 2005

 

Stewart: 'It's only going to get better'


Source: Wisconsin State Journal Too bad there's no chance of CNN getting Jon Stewart because he would be the one that would get CNN headed in the right direction of moving ahead of FNC. With that said here's a pretty good article on the guy that played a role in convincing Jon Klein to ax Crossfire.

Julie Hinds writes: George W. Bush came out of the 2004 presidential election a winner. So did Jon Stewart.

The host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" was hands-down the hottest media figure of the campaign season. He was the face on the cover of all the right magazines. The hippest path to reaching the youth vote. The guy John Edwards sat next to when he declared his candidacy. The one John Kerry bantered with in a bid to seem more human.

At times, it seemed as if Stewart could do no wrong. His fake news show was voted the best news and information program by a national group of TV critics. He went toe-to-toe in a debate with Ted Koppel and didn't blink. He ventured into the spin zone with Bill O'Reilly and came out smelling like a rose. And he got CNN's "Crossfire" put on the chopping block. All of which the 42- year-old comedian ducks or downplays.

"By the way, it's only going to get better," he says about his glowing reviews. "Apparently, there will never be a downslide." MORE

# posted by ATN @ 8:07 PM
 

The FNC Wishing Well


Source: NPR Okay, think back to all, I mean ALL the stories and comments you've read in the past in which FNC folks comment and I betcha you will find at least ONE "We wish ________ well" in the story. It seems those words are uttered from every FNC PR person. Kinda like a well ran political campaign. Anyway NPR's David Folkenflik has one heck of a good article out on how FNC has uttered the phrase "We wish _________ well" to virtually everyone that has crossed paths with the network. Folkenflik describes FNC's use of the phrase this way: "When it comes to the news wars, Fox News has the brawling instincts of a Chicago ward heeler and the vocabulary of a London tabloid headline writer. No rival in the media world comes close." Read the complete article HERE.

BTW FNC, we wish you well. NOT!

# posted by ATN @ 6:59 PM
 

Dobbs Runs Amok at CNN


Source: San Francisco Chronicle Tim Goodman writes: Everything we know we learned from television:
-- Remember Lou Dobbs on CNN back in the good old days of the tech boom? The country was fat with cash. Dobbs was fat -- you know, with presence. He was authoritative and booming and there were dollar signs in his eyes.

Then the market imploded. And now Dobbs is running amok inciting the nation about undocumented immigrants while CNN chooses to do nothing about his fear-mongering. Gone are the business stories. Now Dobbs is an issue guy -- long before CNN forced perfectly good news anchors like Aaron Brown to become really good feature story narrators, Dobbs already had his single-item newscast. And that item was the influx of foreigners. Undocumented immigrants. "Broken borders," as his graphics read. Or America under siege from Mexicans. The man has immigration on his mind in the worst way, and CNN is letting him scare the bejesus out of the red states with nary a concern that he may have abandoned his anchor chair for a bully pulpit. MORE

# posted by ATN @ 2:20 PM
 

New Blog Launches


The Huffington Post launched today. It looks to cover everything from politics to media news to just about anything. Here's a message from Arianna Huffington:

"Welcome to the Huffington Post, which, as our motto says, has been delivering news and opinion since, well, a few hours ago. As you look around, you’ll see that our front page features our favorite posts from our group bloggers -- including Mike Nichols, Ellen DeGeneres, John Cusack and David Mamet -- and the top news headlines of the moment. If you are hungry for more, you can always get your fill at The Blog and the News Wire where fresh posts and news stories are added 24/7. And don’t forget to check out Eat the Press, Harry Shearer’s spicy dish about the media. So come in and make yourself at home. "

# posted by ATN @ 1:42 PM
 

O'Reilly's Days Numbered?


Source: AlterNet Cosmic justice seekers rejoice. A CNN insider made this blessed observation: "FNC should be less concerned with [Paula] Zahn's performance [chasing O'Reilly in the ratings] and more concerned with the fact that O'Reilly continues to hemorrhage viewers month-over-month since October."

The world-class liar and blow-hard has lost over 30% of his viewers since the election -- over 1 million total. One defensive comment reads: "All news outlets suffer after the end of an election cycle." Perhaps, but they generally suffer nicks and scrapes followed by a plateau and a resurgence. CBS evening news has gotten loads of attention lately for losing 13% of its viewership from last year. By comparison, NBC is down 7% and ABC is up 2%.

But 30, 40, 50% losses? Soon you're talking real numbers. As in: your days are numbered.

DCG comments: Hmmm...sounds like a perfect time for Heraldo to take his case to Roger Ailes.

# posted by ATN @ 1:36 PM
 

Blitzer To Get More Face Time


Source: Fishbowl DC As had been rumored, Jon Klein told the CNN staff this (Monday) morning that Wolf Blitzer's daily programming will be expanding to three hours a day, probably beginning over the summer.

DCG Comments: Yep, that's what CNN needs, more Wolf!

# posted by ATN @ 12:38 PM
 

More CNN Cost Cutting


It seems I have been given the answer to a post on another blog. TV Newser posted this Friday:
Why did CNN lay off Marketsource correspondent Claire Leka after nearly five years with the company? Google has a cache of her biography, but it's already been deleted from CNN.com. Are Susan Lisovicz and Jennifer Westhoven "excited" about their new workload?

A CNN insider e-mailed CNN Blog the answer:
CNN reporters are said to be less than thrilled about their new workload. As part of a restructuring of operations, CNN business correspondents, Susan Lisovic and Jennifer Westhoven will now also have to do reports for Newsource affiliates as well as reports for the various CNN Networks. As if they didn't have enough to do already. Newsource used to have its own "dedicated" correspondent, Claire Leka to handle those affiliate reports in the afternoon, but she was axed due to cost cutting by the network.

# posted by ATN @ 10:37 AM
 

Klein on "Runaway Bride"


Source: BuzzMachine It so happens that On the Media interviewed CNN head Jonathan Klein on this week's show and hammered him on the runaway bride, asking whether having the bride run away with every show was an example of his vow to get in depth with more stories. I would have thought he'd have chuckled and said, hey, sometimes ya gotta do what your competition's doing. But, no, he said that, indeed, the runaway bride was an example of his vow for in-depth coverage. They covered the bride in depth. He then bragged about going heavy on the Schiavo story and making it part of the national agenda. Gee, thanks. (Listen to the segment here; download the show here.)

# posted by ATN @ 10:20 AM
 

JW:It Was My Decision To Leave


Source: Philadelphia Inquirer Despite the uncertain future of Inside Politics, anchor Judy Woodruff says her decision to leave CNN is her own.

"I've been thinking about it more than a year," Woodruff, 58, says. Her finale is May 31, the day her four-year contract expires.

"I've had an incredible run. I wanted to see what the next chapter of my life would look like, and there's no way to explore that and continue to do a daily show."

# posted by ATN @ 10:08 AM
 

FNC: The Media Elite

Source: AJC Well lookie here, CNN's neighbor giving what FNC what others want dare, "favorable media coverage." I guess it just gives Ailes something else to boast about. Anyway pretty good article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the rise and continued success of FNC. So what are the "experts" saying? Below are some quotes from the article:


# posted by ATN @ 9:55 AM
 

Hemmer Profiled


Source: American Profile American Morning Anchor Bill Hemmer talks about his life and his career. Below is a quote from the article:
“(Sept. 11) set the world on a course of action, and I believe that we are in a period of history now—I don’t know how it is going to go or where it is going to end or when it ends and no one can answer that,” he says. “But I believe we are in a period much like we saw in the last century, where it was World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, Vietnam, whatever you want to draw on from the past 100 years. We are locked in a period like that that is world-changing. That’s what helps make this job so fascinating. No one knows the headline for tomorrow.”

# posted by ATN @ 9:49 AM
 

They're BACK

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Pic from CNNfan
After nearly a year enjoying minimal screen coverage by graphics, CNN has brought back the old graphic package. The CNN bug is bigger along with the lower thirds. You'd have to be blind not to be able to read what's on the screen now. More screen grabs at CNNfan.

# posted by ATN @ 9:39 AM

Sunday, May 08, 2005

 

Kurtz: Runaway Bride Turns Into Runaway TV Embarassment


Source: Washington Post Post Media Reporter/CNN Reliable Sources host Howard Kurtz gives his take on the coverage of the Runaway Bride Story. Kurtz writes: "Television has developed an insatiable hunger for a soap opera saga with twists and turns that can be endlessly trumpeted in order to hook viewers. The rest of the media, including The Washington Post, often feel they have to play along, because the story is creating "buzz" and no one wants to seem culturally clueless."

# posted by ATN @ 4:20 PM
 

HLN Anchor Speaks at University Graduation


Headline News morning anchor was the Commencement Speaker at Ashland University in Ohio Saturday. A video of the ceremony can be found HERE. Advance the slide to about 38 minutes into the ceremony.

# posted by ATN @ 12:47 PM

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