A Twitter World - Protests In Iran

If you don't Twitter, there's a lot going on this weekend to spotlight Iran. Many people have added a green overlay to their Twitter avatar to show support for peace in Iran. Also, a retweet tonight from many users asks everyone to change their location and time zone to that of Tehran, Iran. The note says there is a crackdown on bloggers. By a world of Twitter users saying they are from Iran, the bloggers hope to add confusion to any crackdown.
Follow me on Twitter: @JeffParsonsDC
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Also tonight.. FNC and CNN go wall to wall with Iran protest coverage. FROM TVNEWSER.COM
After last weekend's criticism over a lack of U.S. cable news coverage of the post-Iranian election protests, at least two of those networks - CNN and Fox News - have been going wall-to-wall with coverage today.
CNN's Fredricka Whitfield anchored much of the afternoon coverage getting reports from correspondents Christiane Amanpour in London, Susan Candiotti at a protest in New York at Ivan Watson at the "Iran Desk" in Atlanta. Why Atlanta? Watson explained: "It's because we received this fax - our team in Tehran - from the Iranian government, banning us from working in Iran. From sending any dispatches without prior approval of the Iranian authorities."

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Campbell Brown's New CNN 8pm Show

Thanks to the rain and crappy weather in DC tonight, I decided to stay in for the night. I decided to sample the new Campbell Brown 8pm show on CNN. Prime starts with a "the only place for news. CNN prime time begins now." I will say upfront.. I did not watch this show for a full hour. In fact, I was bored before the end of segment one. I'll come back in a month to sample again.

Brown's 'no bias, no bull' approach had some attitude. She's canned that now. It seems to indicate CNN's further focus on 'just the news please'. Here are my quick observations.

--There's no identity. It's not a "news" feel. It's an interview show. The interviews are like watching studio paint dry. It's also not an AC 360 (the early years). It's plain. It's simple. It's dry.

--The graphic background is just annoying. It a wild array of images. She looks like she's sitting in front of a collage. It just feels less than classy.

--Brown seems to want to push the attitude she wrapped around 'no bias no bull'.. but she can't. In fact a guest in her first segment tonight referenced the old show. What an awkward moment for insiders.

--About that first segment... it was odd. The "new whip" approach (I don't even recall what they brand it), was less than exciting. Most of the segment was a roundtable discussion with three guests on the set.

To be fair... and I really like CNN so I want to emphasize that... this is a new show. Give it time. I'll check back in about a month to see what has grown, changed, improved, etc. We all know new products need time to grow. I hope it does. CNN could use some good news lately.

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CNN Tea Party Report Is A Hit ... On FOX News

This report from CNN about the Chicago Tea Party is a big hit.. on FOX News and Youtube.

More from TVNewser.
Last night there was an O'Reilly Factor segment (featuring DC-tea party participant Laura Ingraham). Overnight, Red Eye got in on the act. This morning, Fox & Friends devoted a few segments to the report, and Megyn Kelly anchored a segment on America's Newsroom.
Then this afternoon, Neil Cavuto had a guest on who attended the Chicago rally. She claimed Roesgen "staged" the interviews. ("Staged", in this case not meaning orchestrated but rather, what the guest described as, "a gross misrepresentation of the surroundings.")
Another Chicago rally participant had his own camera rolling and captured a conversation Roesgen had with another attendee, just after her "anti-government, anti-CNN" live shot. It shows the discontent in the crowd over her report.
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What Is The Future Of Cable News After The Election

FOX News, MSNBC and CNN will see some changes. Actually the first two will likely see more changes than the latter. The New York Times has a good article today about the changes likely to come/needed in cable news during the Obama administration.
MSNBC, by taking on the voice of the hostile opposition, finally gained traction during the 2008 campaign after being, in the words of its president, Phil Griffin, “out of the discussion” for its entire previous history. But it now faces the prospect of changing into the clothes of the administration’s ardent defender.
At the same time Fox News, which had been the most significant media supporter of the Bush administration, is now expected to revert to the position it held when it first broke through during the Clinton years: the aggressive voice of the opposition.
“The administration has changed, but the politics haven’t,” said John Rash, an advertising executive who teaches a course in media and politics at the University of Minnesota. “The liberal and conservative commentators who dominate each news network will have to invert their roles.”
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MSNBC: Tiger Tickers, Floating Tigers & Who Knows What Else In 2012

This is cute. How can MSNBC one-up CNN's hologram stunt on election night? Here are somesome creative production thoughts. Funny.

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D.L. Hughley Breaks The News (CNN) – This Needs Some Work

I had not had a chance to watch the new comedy-news show on CNN, “D.L. Hughley Breaks The News”. To best honest, I stumbled across it tonight… but decided to put the remote down and watch. Could this come anywhere close to the comedic takes on news from Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show”, Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report” or “Saturday Night Live”? The simple and honest answer is… no.

CNN just came off a tremendous high in election coverage. They were on their game. It culminated in its highest ratings ever on election night. I realize the network is under pressure to pull in a younger demo and engage new viewers with something different. Young viewers simply don’t watch “the news”. The perfect example is the Comedy Central duo of Stewart and Colbert. They seem to be the news source for a young generation.

CNN is exploring. I get that. But, this show needs work. The show is too dry and lifeless to enjoy. It is too serious to be comedic. The segments tonight provided Hughley a chance to celebrate the election of the first black man as President. It felt more personal than entertaining. He looks and feels uncomfortable reading a script. He looks and feels uncomfortable doing satellite interviews (he had two tonight). I’ve seen his shows. This CNN production is no D.L Hughley comedy night. The problem may be that it is too produced for Hughley’s talent. On the other hand, most other political/news comedy shows are heavily scripted and guided. With that, I guess I’m not sure why this show is not news, comedy or a successful mix of both. Also, a news break from Don Lemon seemed awkward for CNN. Lemon even mentioned “back to the comedy”. It’s just too odd to accept from CNN… “the most trusted name in news”.

This is not even news for a young generation. It just feels off track. Take a look at one of the segments tonight.

How is this topical? How is it an interpretation of anything that is happening in "news"? This seemed like a filler segment. I never get that feeling with Stewart, Colbert or SNL. The show, as it is tonight, is just not engaging television.

A message to CNN: know who you are and deliver every hour of every day. CNN is not comedy hour, nor should it be in my opinion. Twisting the vision of a world news leader to that of an odd, comedic intrusion for one hour a week is risky. It also opens the flood gates for other less news-centric content. Therein is a problem with TV news in general. These days… it’s entertainment, more by necessity than choice. Risky. Risky. Risky. I won’t be a regular viewer of “Breaking The News”… yet. Realizing it takes a product time to launch and find its rhythm, I’ll check back in about a month. I hope it feels more comfortable to watch then.

OTHER REVIEWS: This from the Los Angeles Times.
Conventional monologues and comedy scraps mixed in with legit interviews? When I watched, most of it was rather lame. Hughley is likable enough and may get funnier, but that isn't really the point.Is the line separating news and entertainment not blurry enough? Cablers are already somersaulting in HD to attract and keep viewing throngs that flocked to them for election stuff in 2008, and light fare such as Leno, Letterman and ABC's "The View" have become must-stops for political candidates and their surrogates. Now here comes CNN wiping the line away entirely by having some of its actual correspondents go for yuks in "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News."

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“Dear Santa….” – My Election Night Wish List For The TV Media

Dear Santa….

It’s been a long (very long) time since my last letter. I hope Mrs. Claus, the reindeers and the North Pole are all swell! How are you? I hope you still have that a great ‘ho-ho-ho’ in your voice and a bounce in your step. I know you get a sleigh full of letters every day… but I hope you get to read this one before Tuesday.

For about 18 months now, I’ve worked very hard at being good… good at being fair, good at being balanced and good about focusing on the real issues this season. You may think I mean the ‘holiday season’ but I’m actually talking about the election season. By the way, I hope you and Mrs. Claus remember to vote. That is, if you haven’t stood in line already. Is there a straw poll for the reindeers?

I’m writing early this year to ask for your help. Here are the 10 things on my Election Night wish list for the TV media…

10. Please help stop the madness before it begins. Cable news anchors are already tingling with excitement… and we’re still 72 hours away from Election Day. Don’t let them scream at me. Don’t let them talk about what’s most important to them. Please help them remember… it’s all about the viewers and the voters.

9. Can you help control the crowds? I don’t mean at the polling places. I mean on the TV news sets. CNN had 15 people on its main set after the last Presidential debate. C’mon, Santa. Does it really take that many people to tell me who won? You might want to swing by and pick up about half of them to help your elves finish making the toys for December. That might be a better use of some of their time.

8. Please help all the news people remember the quality that Tim Russert delivered for viewers. I don’t want to make you sad Santa. But, I really liked Tim. I hope you and Mrs. Claus got ‘Meet The Press’ at the North Pole. Tim’s whiteboard was classic on election night. Help someone else find a way to truly communicate what is important to us. Tim never strayed from the content. He didn’t let an ego, his stardom or his paycheck get in the way of that.

7. Can you make sure David Gregory has a great lunch Tuesday… and gives a good tip to the waitress before he begins anchoring MSNBC coverage? Over the last few years, he seemed like a really nice guy. But lately, either everyone is picking on him because he’s a rising star at NBC… or he really is stepping on everyone as he climbs the ladder. Either way, please make sure he tips his waitress at least 20%. It is a tough economy these days.

6. Can you help the folks at FOX News take a reality pill before election night coverage? I know they may not have time. I bet there’s a prayer service to keep a Republican in the White House. It may be a tough four years ahead for FOX if that doesn’t happen. They know they are the big kids on the cable news block. But, they don’t have to be the “big bullies on the block”. A little more modesty may help them transition… if liberals sing and dance down Pennsylvania Avenue Tuesday night.

5. Can you give Katie Couric a little more help on TV? She’s done a fine job online after the conventions and on debate nights. She’s even a hit on YouTube. But her ‘Evening News’ is still not doing so well in the ratings… even though it has some of the best content anywhere at 6:30pm. Thanks Santa for giving her a little more support. Do you have any pull over at Nielsen?

4. Will you help Chris Matthews form a coherent sentence… and look at the camera? I know he’s passionate for politics… and gets very excited. But if he stumbles and keeps looking off camera so much, I just can’t trust him. Maybe he’s just looking to see if there are any early polling numbers for the Pennsylvania Senate. But Tuesday night, please help him communicate clearly to all of us out in TV land.

3. Will you make Wolfe Blitzer stop saying “to our viewers here in the United States and around the world’ every two or three minutes? I know he’s just trying to do his job… but it is CNN. Ted Turner made it a worldwide news organization in the 1980’s. We know it already. By the way, have you ever seen Wolfe in a Santa suit? Maybe you and Wolfe could be the new Sara Palin and Tina Fey? I know it’s a stretch… but he is a bit of an unusual TV star, don’t you think?

2. Will you help ‘Saturday Night Live’ after the election? It was rough (very rough) for a few years. But the boys and girls over there have helped make the show more relevant now than possibly any time in its history. Please help them after Tuesday.

1 Finally…. no matter who wins, can you help us get a decision early? Someone has to win. There’s no need to stay up all night blabbering about “what if”. Please help us know early if the moving van leaves from Illinois or Arizona. I need some sleep for Wednesday.

Santa… I know I am asking for a lot. But please, I have been a good boy this year. If I can’t get everything on my wish list, I’ll take whatever you can fit in your sleigh Tuesday night! Say hello to Mrs. Claus… see you again in a few weeks. I promise some yummy cookies and milk under the tree on Christmas morning!

Your buddy,
Jeff

P.S.
Santa…
Are you SURE that you and Wolfe are not related? I swear I can see the family resemblance.

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Big Election Night? Who Will Viewers Watch

So who will viewers watch on election night? No doubt cable news will surface as the "winner" even though the total audience may be less than ABC, NBC or FOX. CBS may struggle to outpace CNN and FOX News.

Variety outlines network plans for election night.
--ABC will be broadcasting its proceedings in Times Square on its 43rd Street JumboTron, while just across the street, Fox News will be beaming down from the Square’s gargantuan Astro Vision monitor.
--NBC, meanwhile, plans to superimpose a gigantic national map on the Rockefeller Center skating rink and project Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s escalating electoral vote counts on the facade of its 30 Rock HQ.
--ABC will broadcast from its Times Square studios, while the Peacock and MSNBC will decamp at Rockefeller Plaza, which both siblings now call home.
--CBS is staying pat with its usual converted newsroom, "to which we add a lot of material and cram in a lot more people," noted senior VP for news coverage Paul Friedman. "Sets don’t matter that much," he said. "What matters is the quality of what people say, how smart they are and how quick they are."

So.. who will come out on top? Here is my ratings prediction... total viewers (not 25-54 demo)
BIG FOUR
1. NBC - Even though Brian Williams and Charlie Gibson are in a see-saw battle, there is something comforting for people and their habits. NBC may have a slight edge.
2. ABC (close battle)
3. FOX
4. CBS

CABLE NEWS
1. CNN - It's an 'Obama' election. Plus, CNN has been a hit this election season.
2. FOX
3. MSNBC

OVERALL
1. NBC
2. ABC
3. CNN
((Note: the top 3 will be a close race))
4. FOX
5. CBS
6. MSNBC

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Sarah Palin... the New Barack Obama.. Turns To Charlie Gibson

Sarah Palin. may well have assumed the rockstar spot once held by Barack Obama. Palin's speech here in St. Paul drew 37 million TV viewers. Five days after the end of the RNC, we (the media) and voters are still talking about her. I don;t see an end in sight either. Now, Palin will give her first big interview to ABC 'World News Tonight's Charlie Gibson Thursday... on the anniversary of 9/11 and the very day her son ships off to Iraq. We can't believe that is a coincidence. After that interview comes a heavily promoted documentary from CNN... "the vice presidential candidates REVEALED" blasts the promo.

Here's more about the ABC interview from ABCNews.com
Gov. Sarah Palin will sit down with ABC News' Charlie Gibson for her first interview since winning the Republican vice presidential nomination, the network's news division confirmed today.
Palin accepted the nomination to be Sen. John McCain's running mate 10 days ago, but has yet to submit to questions from reporters covering the election.
The Alaskan governor was taunted by the spokesman of her Democratic counterpart, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, for not submitting to a grilling by the press.
Reporters covering Biden gave the candidate a cardboard cutout of McCain, and Biden spokesman David Wade promptly used the gag to take a poke at Palin.
Related
"You realize you could've made history if you'd found a cardboard cut-out of Governor Palin," Wade said. "That's the closest she would've been to taking tough questions from the national media since she was selected." "Then again, I guess the Republicans are continuing their recent history of keeping their vice-presidential picks in secure, undisclosed locations," he added, in reference to Vice President Dick Cheney's use of an "undisclosed location" after the Sept. 11 attacks. "Yet another way that McCain-Palin is more of the same."

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FOX News = Republican; CNN = Democratic

So the numbers from cable TV news ratings for the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention clearly show which party watches which network.

Check out the RNC cable numbers here. (Thanks to TVNewser).... HINT... FOX News had what seemed to be a half block broadcast compound here at St. Paul (I live about four block away and saw the massive space constructed.)
Check ouf the DNC cable numbers here

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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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I Felt Sorry For CNN's Kyra Phillips Today

In TV, we call this 'hung out to dry'! CNN's Kyra Phillips apparently started the 1pm hour on CNN today with no scripts, no telepromter and no idea what to do. She simply tells viewers the story. Watch. After you feel her pain... it's kind of funny. LOL


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Barack Obama Support Coming Now From Hillary Clinton - Cable Nets Start Coverage

So where is Barack Obama while Hillary Clinton is throwing her support his way? The answer in a moment. CNN and MSNBC are the first in at 10:58 ET for the dedicated coverage of the Hillary Clinton concession speech... and her announcement of support for Barack Obama. Wolfe Blitzer is taking over coverage now for CNN. John King is back from his honeymoon with Dana Bash. King has left his magic wall behind in the studio and is reporting from the field. MSNBC leans on Keith Olbermann for coverage. FOX News is still in other coverage. Chris Wallace takes over coverage on FOX at noon ET just as Clinton is expected to give her speech.

A long primary season is ending today. Clinton also sent out a message from her website encouraging people to watch her speech online. Meantime, "I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee and I intend to deliver on that promise," Clinton told supporters in an online message late this week in a story reported on CBSNews.com. She said her speech would focus on "how together we can rally the party" behind Obama as he prepares for the general election against Arizona Sen. John McCain. "The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise."

So, where is Barack Obama at this hour? CNN has video of him leaving his Chicago home... apparently to go golfing. Don't expect a surprise visit from the nominee at the Clinton event.
CHECK OUT THIS: Is Barack Obama the best political orator... ever? Read and vote.

PLUS, CHECK OUT Campaign Bites which tracks quotes and soundbites from Obama and McCain as they sprint toward November. Here is part of Barack Obama's response to Senator Clinton's endorsement.
"Senator Clinton made history over the past 16 months -- not just because she has broken barriers, but because she has inspired millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to causes like universal health care that make a difference in the lives of hardworking Americans.
Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I'm a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her.
Senator Clinton will be invaluable to our efforts to win in November, and I look forward to campaigning alongside her to bring this country the change it so desperately needs.
Hillary and her supporters are joining us at an urgent moment.
It's going to require a new level of commitment from every single one of us to build a national campaign in the general election."
GET MORE SOUNDBITES AND QUOTES EACH DAY AT Campaign Bites

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.
-----
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.

CHECK OUT ANOTHER POST
'This Week in Politics With Tom Forman'

Barack Obama Speeches -- Among The Best EVER

One of the many strengths that Barack Obama has in this campaign is his ability to deliver engaging, exciting speeches. I am not revealing a political preference at all. I am simply saying networks are smart to stick with the Obama speeches. He delivers messages better than anyone, since perhaps Martin Luther King. Here is part of his speech Tuesday night in St. Paul, where he claimed the nomination (prior to the convention). This is the same speech that helped CNN top major networks in breaking news coverage for the first time ever.
THEN.. keep clicking you can also see Obama first speech in this campaingn. Plus, many more.
AND.. cast your VOTE in the right column. Is he the best political speaker ever?

The Associated Press believes Obama learned something about speeches from Greek mythology. Here is an exerpt.
Obama spent a week practicing a speech for the Iowa Democratic Party's big fundraising dinner, san event that drew party activists from around the state and media from around the world. Although he usually delivered big speeches from a TelePrompTer, aides with experience in Iowa told him he had to own this one. So he would work on committing it to memory each night in his hotel room after long days of campaigning.

With that said, take part in the poll. Is Barack Obama the best political speaker ever? Vote in the column to the right... and add you comments below.
CHECK OUT MORE ABOUT THE OBAMAS
Michelle To Co-Host 'The View'
A Long Campaign: Obama Visited 57 States
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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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Where Is John King With His Magic Wall; Obama Makes History

John Roberts has taken over duties tonight with CNN's 'magic wall'. It's usually a spot for John King on election nights. I have to admit I am just tuning in to CNN. King may be reporting from a field location. While Roberts is pretty good at the board... I think many people have grown accustomed to King's energy at the wall.
UPDATE: Apparently John King was on his honeymoon after the marriage to fellow CNN reporter Dana Bash. Who would have guessed that the darn primary season would last so long!
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MSNBC offers embeddable, live streaming video of it's coverage.
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