Why Anderson Cooper's Ratings Are Down; Why Katie Couric's Ratings Should Go Up

CNN's AC360... is more like AC180 these days.
Ratings for the the silber hair fox (to many women and gay men) are in a freefall lately. Has Anderson Cooper's popularity peaked? I decided to sample tonight's show to see what all the fuss is about. Why are Cooper's ratings falling faster than the Dow in February?

Here are XXX observations.
1. The first, and most obvious, reason is that CNN is getting zero benefits from the political landscape. It happens when you straddle the fence. Of course that may be where a "news" organization should be.
2. Tonight's show... was just boring. The opening piece was a question and answer with Dr. Gupta. So, the AC team worked all day on this show and the most they deliver for me at the top is a Q&A with Gupta? When the gate opens, the race starts. It was more like a stuttering engine t0night.
3. Cooper seemed lifeless. He almost seemed tired tonight. He smiled and chuckled a bit with Erica Hill in the final segment. But for the first 55 minutes, he was seemed uninterested.
4. The show and its production lacked creativity tonight. Cooper was one of the first cable prime anchors to get up from behind a desk. There was motion, energy and a completely different atmosphere to the show then. Tonight it was dry.
5. The content didn't break new "news". The topper was the final segment about a new world record for a Thriller dance performance from William and Mary students. Cool story and video. Unfortunately I saw the same video a few days ago... maybe even last week!
6. There could be 'Cooper-fatigue'. Been there and done that.

No doubt there are many other reasons we could talk about. But there are the top things that came to mind as I watched tonight's broadcast.

On the flip side, I checked out Katie Couric's CBS Evenign News tonight (on DVR).

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She's getting a lot of positive press again, including her column in USA Today today. I have preached this for more than a year. The content in this show is pretty darn good. With few exceptions, it's focused. There is solid storytelling. There is content of depth and interest... not just quick passive voiceovers. While I have liked Couric, I still long for the days when she actually "talks" to me instead of reading that freaking prompter. It's an tool to help communicate... not a crutch to walk on.

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Two Gay Prime Time Anchors Hit Ratings Lows: Anderson Cooper and Rachel Maddow

FROM THE LIVE FEED
Tuesday night's Rachel Maddow was seen by only 789,000 viewers, a series-low performance since her show debuted last summer.
Friday's Anderson Cooper 360 was the anchor's least-watched show since Barack Obama's inauguration, with 622,000 viewers.
Cooper and Maddow's average audiences have been sliding since January following last year's historic presidential election, and with the bombastic daily economic headlines have lessened somewhat. Cooper is about on par when compared to the same period last year.

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How To Get CNNs Anderson Cooper's ratings Up: Planet Out Answers

Planet Out has some ideas how to improve CNN's Anderson Cooper's ratings -- that same Cooper is perhaps the mostly well-known, closet homosexual. PART OF THE PLANET OUT STORY:

...I love the guy, but I have to admit that even as a fan, I think the network goes a bit far with the deification of Anderson. Could that be hurting his ratings? Is he the victim of a backlash?
Or maybe he is suffering such a dramatic fall-off because the excitement of the presidential election is now over and done with?
Perhaps some viewers are turned off by AC360's uneven tone? One minute Anderson is conducting a serious interview, the next he's laughing over some wacky Japanese video clip with his sidekick Erica Hill.
I have one friend who takes issue with Anderson not being out and argues that it seriously takes away from his credibility as a journalist. His decision not to come out publicly may rankle members of the gay community, but I don't think your average viewer has stopped watching AC360 because Anderson refuses to talk about his personal life.
Whatever the cause of AC360's precipitous slip in viewership, Anderson needs to stop bleeding viewers and pump up the ratings.
I would go back to watching AC360 every night if Kathy Griffin became a special correspondent for the show.

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QUICK NOTES: CNN Viewers 'Here And Around The World'

QUICK NOTE
If you have read many of my posts, you know that I like a lot about CNN's political coverage this season (not all.. but a lot). Well as i made it back from protest coverage and watching John McCain's acceptance, I flipped on CNN. Boy.. it was out of control.

Wolfe Blitzer was tossing to Larry King for the obligatory tease. In his toss, Blitzer stressed, "Larry tell our viewers here and around the world what you have for us." Not two minutes later, Blitzer was pimping the world viewers again. This time as he tossed to the break, Blitzer said something to the effect of "John King has some important information that our viewers here and around the world need to know."

Two things... First, we didn't rrrreeeaaallllyyyy need to know the electoral college situation. And second, what the heck is up with the 'viewers around the world'. Is CNN going to push a new branding line? Is there some reason that Blitzer kept pounding away at that line.

QUICK NOTE 2
Maybe I'm just ranting here. Maybe I have worked too long this week (day shift at my job and nights covering protests). But, Blitzer and Anderson Cooper were over the top... again. Last week at the DNC, they couldn't shut up about Blitzer liking the band. It was a running gag that left viewers out in the cold. Tonight at the RNC, there was some running gag about Blitzer and Cooper wearing dark suits and both sporting what appeared to be similar ties. I know it's been a VERY LONG week for them. But.. so has it for viewers. These kinds of bonding games are best left off-air. The viewer is always the third person in the conversation. Insider jokes and gags drive them away more than attract them.

Still... I like CNN's political coverage strategy. It's just petty things that become annoying for viewers.

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CNN's Erica Hill On CBS's Early Show

CNN's Erica Hill anchors the 'Early Show' on CBS Monday. First, Anderson Cooper became a semi-regular on '60 Minutes'. Then Dr. Sanjay Gupta became a contributor to Katie Couric's 'CBS Evening News'. Now... Hill takes to the anchor desk of the 'Early Show'. This should be interesting. It migh be a good fit for her. Here's the TVNewser.com take.
From the why don't you merge already file comes word that CNN's Erica Hill will co-anchor CBS' The Early Show tomorrow morning.
Hill moved to New York earlier this year, where she is a correspondent and fill in anchor on Anderson Cooper 360. Before that she was an anchor for Headline News in Atlanta.

Here's part of the Hill bio from CNN.com.

Erica Hill is a news anchor for CNN/U.S. and a correspondent for Anderson Cooper 360°. Hill joined CNN in January 2003 as an anchor at Headline News, most recently for Prime News with Erica Hill, a live two-hour interview and news program. She began providing news updates for Anderson Cooper 360° in April 2005 and joined the program full-time in February 2008. She is based in New York.
At Headline News, Hill anchored numerous breaking news reports including the death of actor Heath Ledger, baseball player Cory Lidle flying a plane into a New York high-rise apartment and the Northeast U.S. blackout. She provided political coverage for the network for both the 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns including updates for Headline Prime and Glenn Beck for the current primary election season.

PREVIOUS HILL POST: Hill Moves To 'AC 360'

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The Advocate Showcases CNN's Anderson Cooper... Again... But Not About The Gay Thing

The Advocate, the magazine for gays, is once again spotlighting the most famous ungay man in TV news. Well... Anderson Cooper may be gay... but doesn't talk about it. The Advocate showcases Cooper in "The Age of the Silver Fox', a cover story this month.

Here's a comment from Cooper in the article: I first spotted the gray a couple of months before my 30th birthday–three or four strands glistening on my left temple. I leaned into the mirror for a closer look and confirmed my worst nightmare: I was officially old. Sure, there were only a few hairs now, but it was only a matter of time -- months, maybe a year? -- before I’d be totally gray and my youth would be lost forever. Call it hyperbole, but as is the case with so many men, much of my self-esteem is tied up in my appearance and libido. How would this baleful development affect my relationship prospects? More important, would I ever get laid again?

More Cooper news: Ratings Remain Strong, Cooper and Greta Van Susteren Play Nice
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Anderson Cooper Vs Greta Van Susteren

FROM TVNewser.com. It may not get all the press of the 8pmET battle between Bill O'Reilly and Keith Olbermann (or get nearly as personal) but the ratings contest at 10pmET between FNC and CNN is heating up. Anderson Cooper 360 has beaten On The Record with Greta Van Susteren for the second straight quarter, while Van Susteren still takes the win in Total Viewers.

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Anderson Cooper 360 Scores A Big Win

Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN scored a big demo win Wednesday night in cable prime. TVNewser has the story.
“The number one show on all of cable news last night in the A25-54 demo was not The O'Reilly Factor or Countdown with Keith Olbermann or even Larry King Live. Instead, the 10pmET Anderson Cooper 360 placed first. The CNN program took the rare win not seen since before 2008 April 16, the night of the ABC debate. With the breaking news that Sen. Hillary Clinton would be dropping out of the presidential race, there were some other interesting scoreboard notes as well.”

CNN has done very well this season on election nights. But the trouble has been getting viewers to return the following night. Wednesday’s win came after a big win Tuesday night for CNN. Here is the blog post about Tuesday's win... even over the major broadcast nets.
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This is something to celebrate for CNN. When Barack Obama spoke Tuesday night from the St. Paul Xcel Center, CNN topped ABC and the other networks in the ratings. The speech happened in the 10pm hour... while the major broadcast networks are in reruns. ABC carried part of the same speech... delivering just under 4 million viewers. CNN topped almost 4.5 million viewers. Yes... the cable network trumped the major broadcast networks.

Brian Stelter of TV Decoder at nytimes.com has the best perspective on this CNN win.
It may have been only the second time in history that a cable network attracted more viewers than a broadcaster during a major news event. Television news executives contacted on Wednesday said they could only think of one other time: the Republican National Convention in 2004, when Fox News Channel drew more viewers than the broadcast networks.
Update: 5:35 p.m.: ABC executives assert that the cable-to-broadcast comparison is unfair because CNN spent hours building its audience, while ABC’s prime time schedule consisted of repeats, causing the network to shed viewers at 9 and 10 p.m. Indeed, the network made the lonely decision to interrupt entertainment programming to broadcast a historic moment, and should get credit for that.

However you look at it... this has been a great season for CNN . I have blogged before how this election season infused new life into the recently-struggling CNN. The Ballot Bowl coverage that started during football bowl season was clever and on track. CNN engaged great pundits. CNN used great techonology to bring information and perspective to viewers. CNN wisely used all of its frontline talent on major election nights. No single anchor carried the show. Sometimes I am harsh on CNN (and all nets) when they jump the tracks. BUT, I'll applaud CNN for the way it has managed to become relevant again with its political coverage this election season. That's the only reason I am sorry to see this primary season end.

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'This Week in Politics With Tom Forman'

CNN Beats Networks With Obama Speech Coverage

This is something to celebrate for CNN. When Barack Obama spoke Tuesday night from the St. Paul Xcel Center, CNN topped ABC and the other networks in the ratings. The speech happened in the 10pm hour... while the major broadcast networks are in reruns. ABC carried part of the same speech... delivering just under 4 million viewers. CNN topped almost 4.5 million viewers. Yes... the cable network trumped the major broadcast networks.

Brian Stelter of TV Decoder at nytimes.com has the best perspective on this CNN win.

It may have been only the second time in history that a cable network attracted more viewers than a broadcaster during a major news event. Television news executives contacted on Wednesday said they could only think of one other time: the Republican National Convention in 2004, when Fox News Channel drew more viewers than the broadcast networks.
Update: 5:35 p.m.: ABC executives assert that the cable-to-broadcast comparison is unfair because CNN spent hours building its audience, while ABC’s prime time schedule consisted of repeats, causing the network to shed viewers at 9 and 10 p.m. Indeed, the network made the lonely decision to interrupt entertainment programming to broadcast a historic moment, and should get credit for that.

However you look at it... this has been a great season for CNN . I have blogged before how this election season infused new life into the recently-struggling CNN. The Ballot Bowl coverage that started during football bowl season was clever and on track. CNN engaged great pundits. CNN used great techonology to bring information and perspective to viewers. CNN wisely used all of its frontline talent on major election nights. No single anchor carried the show. Sometimes I am harsh on CNN (and all nets) when they jump the tracks. BUT, I'll applaud CNN for the way it has managed to become relevant again with its political coverage this election season. That's the only reason I am sorry to see this primary season end.

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Ryan Seacrest Is NOT Taking Over For Larry King On CNN

Ryan Seacrest IS NOT going to take over for Larry King on CNN the duo announced tonight. It has been rumored that the hyper-busy, much-talked about Seacrest would be positioned to take over for King. That is even though King just extended his contact with CNN until 2011. The wrinkle is that King is not guaranteed to keep the 9pm time slot that King has owned. He's the biggest challenge for FOX News... even though Anderson Cooper does decent numbers at 10pm against FOX. King and Seacrest talked very briefly about CNN when King was outlining the many projects that Seacrest is a part of.

CHECK OUT PREVIOUS POSTS
Will Seacrest Be Paired With Anderson Cooper
What's Wrong With 'American Idol'?

Who Will Replace Katie Couric -- Part 2: Bryant Gumbel or Leslie Stahl?

It seems everyone has a list these days of who should replace Katie Couric. There are many familiar names: Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper and Harry Smith. A few lists also add Bryant Gumbel who left his sports show recently. No... I don't believe he can have a comeback. He left 'Today'. His version of the "Early Show" stalled. His play by play sports career with the NFL seems history. He resigned a few days ago from the NFL Networks. "What happened is we had a conversation and we agreed to go in different directions. It's really as simple as that," Gumble is quoted. Plus, there's a lot of baggage from just being unlikable. He has a very polarizing appeal. You love him as an anchor... or you hate him. So... if Katie was a disaster for CBS... then Gumbel would be right along side her.

The Ventura County Star makes the case for Leslie Stahl to bump Katie. "If CBS wants to replace its first female solo anchor with another woman, how about someone who has been at CBS a long time and has the necessary skills and gravitas? A "60 Minutes" reporter since 1991, she covered the White House during the presidencies of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Stahl spent eight seasons anchoring "Face the Nation" and has reported a range of big stories. At 66, she's no spring chicken, but neither is the traditional network news viewer."
Here are some other lists floating around.
Arkansas Democrat Gazette - Ann Curry and John Roberts pop up here as somewhat familiar names
Time - thinks it will be some 'white guy'
The Ampersand - Some familiar names alongside some odd ones: Perez Hilton, Craig Kilborn... and you!

By the way.... here is my take and the justification from several weeks ago.
Harry Smith - solid but has been around CBS too long in low profiles with little notice. Good guy in a bad situation
Russ Mitchell - may be an inside-CBS favorite but he has little name appeal or major news creds.
Scott Pelley - He was a favorite during the Katie search... and may be more about the future than today. He's scored high profile reports for '60 Minutes'.
Maggie Rodriguez - She's a good addition to 'Early'... just too new to the CBS/national game.
Lester Holit - He's a solid anchor from NBC who may want to jump at a chance
Matt Lauer - He would be crazy to leave his comfy position at 'Today'
Terry Moran - He just wouldn't seem to cut it on CBS right now.
Keith Olbermann - It's risky for him and CBS for very different reasons
Anderson Cooper - "GQ News' won't cut it at CBS. The sharks would eat him alive.
David Gregory - He's positioned nicely at NBC... but this might make a good choice for the future for CBS. If CBS went this way, it would be a toss up between Pelley and Gregory though.
Wolfe Blitzer - CNN has invested so much in him. I just don't think he could connect in a newscast like viewers expect in an national network evening newscast.
Tim Russert - You might file this under the 'no way he would do it' category. But, it could bring a whole new level of credibility for the newscast. This choice could be very interesting.
Bob Scheiffer - It may have been a mistake taking him off the broadcast in the first place. But, it would be a PR disaster for CBS to bring him back... admitting one of the biggest mistakes since the short-lived Vargas and Woodruff team on ABC. The media would focus on the mistake instead of the future/product.
John Roberts - He claims to be happy with the small audience on CNN's AM. But I bet he's thinking 'If only I have hung in there."

So... who is my bet if a decision was made today?
Scott Pelley - He is the ' easy choice' for CBS right now. There is also low risk in his transition. There's not a lot of flash to this guy. If anything his reputation is squarely focused on his reporting skills. Could that be a bad thing? Pelley also allows the news division to stay focused on content instead of the media circus that will surround Couric's departure and the appointment of someone whos appointment is more about the name than the skills. Plus, Pelley may be a long-term player (as long as evening newscasts last). He doesn't appear headed to retirement anytime soon.

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Who Would Replace Katie Couric?

Katie Couric could leave CBS after the start of the new year, according to the Wall Street Journal.. So who could replace her on the 'CBS Evening News' anchor desk? Here are some thoughts... and a gut check on his or her chances.

Harry Smith - solid but has been around CBS too long in low profiles with little notice. Good guy in a bad situation
Russ Mitchell - may be an inside-CBS favorite but he has little name appeal or major news creds.
Scott Pelley - He was a favorite during the Katie search... and may be more about the future than today. He's scored high profile reports for '60 Minutes'.
Maggie Rodriguez - She's a good addition to 'Early'... just too new to the CBS/national game.
Lester Holit - He's a solid anchor from NBC who may want to jump at a chance
Matt Lauer - He would be crazy to leave his comfy position at 'Today'
Terry Moran - He just wouldn't seem to cut it on CBS right now.
Keith Olbermann - It's risky for him and CBS for very different reasons
Anderson Cooper - "GQ News' won't cut it at CBS. The sharks would eat him alive.
David Gregory - He's positioned nicely at NBC... but this might make a good choice for the future for CBS. If CBS went this way, it would be a toss up between Pelley and Gregory though.
Wolfe Blitzer - CNN has invested so much in him. I just don't think he could connect in a newscast like viewers expect in an national network evening newscast.
Tim Russert - You might file this under the 'no way he would do it' category. But, it could bring a whole new level of credibility for the newscast. This choice could be very interesting.
Bob Scheiffer - It may have been a mistake taking him off the broadcast in the first place. But, it would be a PR disaster for CBS to bring him back... admitting one of the biggest mistakes since the short-lived Vargas and Woodruff team on ABC. The media would focus on the mistake instead of the future/product.
John Roberts - He claims to be happy with the small audience on CNN's AM. But I bet he's thinking 'If only I have hung in there."

So... who is my bet if a decision was made today?
Scott Pelley - He is the ' easy choice' for CBS right now. There is also low risk in his transition. There's not a lot of flash to this guy. If anything his reputation is squarely focused on his reporting skills. Could that be a bad thing? Pelley also allows the news division to stay focused on content instead of the media circus that will surround Couric's departure and the appointment of someone whos appointment is more about the name than the skills. Plus, Pelley may be a long-term player (as long as evening newscasts last). He doesn't appear headed to retirement anytime soon.

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Katie Couric Leaving CBS?

Katie Couric could leave CBS after the start of the new year, according to the Wall Street Journal. I love the concept that she could be leaving next year. How about asking those CBS O&O staffers who caught the blade recently if they would like to have had a year's notice. :)
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If it's true and if it happens, CBS will scale back its news gathering... hiring CNN to do it's news! Walter Cronkite must be so distressed that his once great news gathering home appears in shambles. Or, will it be a wise business move for CBS? The New York Times reports tonight that CBS may outsource work to CNN.

"Broadly speaking, the executives described conversations about reducing CBS’s news-gathering capacity while keeping its frontline personalities, like Katie Couric, the CBS Evening News anchor, and paying a fee to CNN to buy the cable network’s news feeds."

It's been an odd relationship so far. Two weeks ago I blogged about the awkward David Beckham profile by celeb-anchor Anderson Cooper.... appearing on '60 Minutes'. Can we say testing the waters? If this happens, it will be the second major sign that CBS News and local news stations are collapsing. The first was the massive round of high-dollar cuts at stations across the country.

CNN's Anderson Cooper Returns Again to CBS' '60 Minutes" With David Beckham Fluff

CNN's Anderson Cooper returns again to CBS '60 Minutes' Sunday with a piece about David Beckham and his manager possibly buying their own soccer team. Take a close look at the tease online at CBSNews.com for the piece. The second paragraph is:
CNN's Anderson Cooper's interview of Beckham, in which he demonstrates his famous "bend it" soccer kick, will be broadcast this Sunday, March 23, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Plus, we get to hear about Beckham's 15 tattoos.
Wow, what have we become? '60 Minutes' promoting an Anderson Cooper peice with such elements of great interest? '60 Minutes" has, over recent years, transformed what was once a hard-hitting investigative news magazine (allbeit light in flavor, presentation and pop culture) into a hart-hitting, investigative, pop culture magazine show. Ratings are still pretty darn good. But, it's hard to imagine that '60 Minutes' resorts to such a piece about Beckham. Of course, there is the "revelation" that Beckham has the right to buy his own MLS team when his contract expires in L.A. Still, from the magazine show that challenged world leaders, fought for the innocent, claimed victories over con artists and laid the foundation for all news magazines to come, this kind of Anderson Cooper - David Beckham fluff is hard to beleive.

Plus, this deal between CBS and CNN to share some correspondent reports is interesting. I can really see how a Christiane Amanpour report would fit nicely into '60 Minutes'. Dr. Sanjay Gupta reporting on Katie Couric's 'Evening News' even seems logical. But, Anderson Cooper? It must be a deliberate ploy to snag a younger demo for a very 'old' show. What next? Tom Bergeron anchoring a morning show? (Wait, that happened on CBS for a while)

CNN Switches To CNN International For Coverage Of Atlanta Tornado

CNN broke away from Anderson Cooper's broadcast to cover the apparent tornado that hit Atlanta tonight.. and the CNN Center in Atlanta. Cooper, the star anchor for CNN, did NOT anchor this coverage. Erica Hill (great anchor) was doing a great job of anchoring coverage for a short time. Just before midnight though, Hill was apparently tossing to a break by saying 'coverage continues in a moment." Then, CNN switched to CNN International coverage. Of course, the coverage is from the international desk at the CNN Center in Atlanta. But, the anchor did not provide any additional perspective.. plus was NOT an anchor that any U.S. viewers are familiar with.

HERE ARE COME THOUGHTS ABOUT CNN COVERAGE TONIGHT

*There's a big challenge for national and international networks when weather events happen in their back yard. How do you cover it? The event itsefl would be a major event for your employees and local viewers who may watch the national telecast. The weather event needs different perspective for a national or international audience. This is where CNN has stumbled tonight. The anchors and reporters are covering this event as a local news event. But, they are speaking to a much larger audience around the country and around the world.

*Why did Anderson Cooper not stay around to lead the coverage for whatever length of time needed? Was there too much happening to coordinate a NY anchor with an Atlanta control room? Was he already out the door because of the taped re-run before the perspective of the storm was realized? Erica Hill was anchoring LIVE coverage until the time slot ended for Cooper’s 360 show. Why not allow her to continue to anchor coverage until the rejoin of Larry King?

*At 12:38am ET/11:38pm CT, the CNN International anchor tossed to a commercial break with more coverage to come. After a short break, CNN joined a re-broadcast of Larry King Live with no explanation.

*This was a storm that damaged a lot of property. Fortunately there doesn’t appear to be anyone dead from this storm. So, in perspective, it was not a major news event. However, CNN seemed to bungle this coverage in getting out of Cooper, going to Hill, going to International and then to King. It also lacked the perspective of why the national or international audience would care about this story for extended time. These kinds of events that happen in our ‘back yards’ always afford opportunities to improve response, communication and operations plans.

Countdown With Keith Olbermann Gets A 10pm Slot Too!

'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' will air at 8 and 10pm on MSNBC. It was a move announced today by MSNBC. The announcements also include a 6pm show anchored by David Gregory. Olbermann told TVNewser, "All of us on Countdown never cease to be astounded and gratified by the loyalty of the 8pm audience (and especially those fierce DVR users). This move just lets us tap in to that group that can't see us earlier and doesn't like what they're seeing later."

This is a great move for the show's brand. But, I worry about a repeat just an hour after the original show airs. Sure, there is a DVR audience as Olbermann mentions but that doesn;'t mean that audience is available and wants to watch at 10pm. I also hope that MSNBC doesn't allow repeats on nights with major news events. It's been a problem with Anderson Cooper's show on CNN. In the end, I'm hoipeful that the great writing and wit of this show can find an audience at 10pm. For disclosure, I don't agree with all of Olbermann's political spins... but the show is extremely well written and delivered by its host.

Check out 'Countdown' back in NBC primetime. Click Here. Plus read the 10 Things I Liked about that show.
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‘World News’ With Charles Gibson in Chicago… Why?

I decided to sample the road trip of ‘World News’ and Charles Gibson in Chicago. I have blogged a few times about how needless and annoying irrelevant field anchoring can be from network anchors. (Anderson Cooper rushed to Pakistan for one night and Katie Couric ventured to Iraq.) Sometimes it is worthwhile. I was interested in Gibson for that and to see how the content of the show has evolved.

The top story focused on the economy and how tough it has become especially on the retail industry. Yes, there are Leap Day sales to try to spark sales for some stores. David Muir’s piece seemed more like a cover story than a lead story though. Then, Gibson turned to the presidential campaign and the somewhat controversial new ad from Hillary Clinton.

Kate Snow was on the trail in Texas, Then there was a debrief with George Stephanopoulos. Next, there was a preview of the vote for a president in Russia (a rare non-Iraw ‘world’ news package from ‘World News’.) A Turkey troop pullout of Northern Iraq and the decision to remove Prince Harry from war ended the block.

The second block led with an Airbus story with a quick Chicago mention. A Florida power story and a Las Vegas hepatitis package rounded out the block. Finally in the third block, Gibson introduced a story by saying, “There is a difficult issue likely to come before state lawmakers here in Illinois…much like other states.” I thought finally there were would be at least one Chicago-centric story. Alas, it was a story focused on a woman’s story from Maine. A break and a Person of the Week (people from Northern Illinois University) wrapped up the show.

Two quick points
I know Gibson was in Chicago for an event that had nothing to do with the content of his newscast (an advertiser lunch at WLS). It was obviously awkward from a viewer’s perspective to never know why Gibson was not at his post in New York. A Person of the Week profile and a vague mention in a voiceover story certainly doesn’t fool viewers. I love field anchoring… when it’s appropriate and relevant to the news. Viewers will understand in those instances, not tonight. Plus, the economy certainly affects all of us but there were no major developments today to warrant it leading the news especially with new fighting in the Democratic presidential race. The ‘ticking clock’ commercial will either save or cement Hillary Clinton’s campaign. It would have been a far better lead for ‘World News’… from Chicago. Monday it's 'World News'... Texas. Now that can be explained.

Campbell Brown on CNN: She’s OK…But Is OK Enough?

As I watch the results from the Potomac primaries tonight, I’m reminded of how much CNN is investing in Campbell Brown. She just replaced Lou Dobbs in the expert debrief area of the CNN coverage. I see the strategy. The CNN suits want to expose Brown to the audience that could potentially be watching her in her new time slot in March.

If you’ve read my blogs about the political coverage, I’ve liked CNN”s election coverage as a whole. But as CNN works Brown into its anchor lineup, I keep scratching my head… wondering what I am missing. Campbell’s good. She’s solid. But, is good and solid really enough for an 8pm time slot… the same slot that CNN has struggled for years to gain ground? As I watch tonight, I see a controlled anchor. She is deliberate in her delivery. She seems knowledge. All of those are great things for an anchor to have. But, I don’t see her edge. While I may not be an Anderson Cooper fan, I can appreciate the difference and edge that he brings to CNN. I may not be a loyal fan of Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannuity, Nancy Grace, etc… but I can see the appeal. Each of them has an edge that is very distinguishable. I just don’t see that in Brown.

I watched Brown with Lester Holt on weekend ‘Today’ because it was the best thing going at that time of the morning. I believe that CNN will find some degree of success at 8pm this year, not because of Brown, but because of the heated election race. Played smartly, this Presidential race could give some additional momentum to CNN. Brown’s show may benefit temporarily. But after November, CNN will face the very real challenge of loyal news viewers who make an 8pm appointment. Getting them to switch to Brown post-election may be tougher than anyone wants to admit.

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Erica Hill on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” After The California Democratic Debate

I happened to catch the post game show to tonight’s Democratic debate on CNN. I must admit I don’t regularly watch Anderson Cooper’s show. But I was a little intrigued when Eric Hill decided to move to the show from Headline News. I like her. So, as the debate ended and I had the choice to click away, I decided to stay to see how she was integrated into coverage. I was hugely disappointed.

Hill was in charge of a story about the dial testing of undecided voters. It was a taped story with only a live tag and toss back to Cooper. There was not even the interaction that we saw when she was doing headlines on ‘360’. What a wasted opportunity. CNN has done very well with the debates. I would expect the Cooper chatfest would do very tell tonight. CNN should have used the opportunity to showcase it’s greater use of Hill.

CNN’s Soledad O’brien is far more appealing now in her segments about election exit polling than I ever found her on ‘American Morning’ or even on NBC News. That seems like successful transition for her. I hope CNN doesn’t fumble the opportunity to lean a little more on the talents of Erica Hill.

TOP 10 Blog Posts of 2007 (Thanks to Jenna Wolfe and Amy Robach!)

As the year comes to a close, I have to reflect on my short few months of blogging about TV news. So what worked? Here are the TOP 10 posts that generated the most page clicks. There’s a common theme here that really surprised me. Please add your comments to any of these stories.
1. ‘Weekend Today’ – Robach Back, Wolfe Back On The News Desk
2. Endless Fascination With Jenna Wolfe on Weekend 'Today' This post just went up a few days ago but already has generated a ton of clicks for a new blog.
3. Jenna Wolfe & ‘Weekend Today’ – Is OK Enough?
4. Weekend ‘Today’ Challenges; Jenna Wolfe, Amy Robach, Others
5. Anderson Cooper LIVE in Pakistan in front of Some Shrubs – This is another recent post that has generated a lot of clicks.
6. ‘NBC Nightly’ News New Announcer – Michael Douglas
7. CNN, Rick Snachez: ‘Out in the Open’ Really Out of Control
8. Russert Challenges Rudy on ‘Meet the Press’
9. Stephen Colbert on ‘Meet the Press’
10. ‘Countdown with Keith Olbermann’ in Prime Time, 10 Things I Liked

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR VISITING THE BLOG. Your visits and time are appreciated. Have a happy and safe time venturing into the new year!