The 2nd quarter of 2007 (PDF) has delivered another in a string of victories for MSNBC. The network’s growth of 50% over its 2006 performance far outshines CNN (4%) and Fox (5%).
The chart below tells the story for the past four quarters. While still in third place, there is no cable news network that is growing faster than MSNBC in primetime (Mon-Fri).
And, as usual, MSNBC’s growth is powered by a surging Countdown with Keith Olbermann. The most recent quarter continues a pattern of Countdown battering away at The Factor’s lead, just as it has been doing for the past year. The numbers for the 25-54 demo show the same trends.
It is no wonder that Olbermann is drawing crowds. His “Special Comments” are an inspiring rarity in television news. And the latest one delivered last night is no exception. In fact it may be the best yet. Calling on Bush and Cheney to resign, Olbermann spells out the universal disconnection between this president and the people he is failing to serve.
“In that moment [the Libby commutation], Mr. Bush, you broke that fundamental compact between yourself and the majority of this nation’s citizens – the ones who did not cast votes for you. In that moment, Mr. Bush, you ceased to be the President of the United States. In that moment, Mr. Bush, you became merely the President of a rabid and irresponsible corner of the Republican Party. And this is too important a time, Sir, to have a commander-in-chief who puts party over nation.”
How does Tucker stay on the air? His numbers are even worse than Beck’s!
Good question. I think it has something to do with his father who is a well-connected Republican, a former head of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and a former ambassador appointed by Bush Sr.
Here’s his bio on the Scooter Libby Defense Fund web site.
How does Tucker stay on, now I know, nepotism, this boy and that is what he is, is so BAD I can’t believe MSNBC keeps him on.They took off Anchorwomen after one show BUT yet Tucker goes on, his ratings are none and yet they keep him on, I think Pat Buchanan is soooooooo much better, and yet they keep this screaming idiot on, daddy must really have the pull, also when will Chris Matthews (tweety quit replaying scenes from the Deer Hunter, God knowes if Tweety ever was in a bar in Pittsburgh I think they would laugh him out, also now I know how Howdy Doody lokks when he grew up it’s Chuck Tood, well I have vented enough.
I’m glad you got that out of your system – and I agree (except for the Buchanan part).