2008 ConventionsMonday Sep 08, 2008
Fox News and Its Historic Ratings For a "Historical Event"Fox News Channel didn't just have the top rated cable news broadcast of a convention in history last week — they had it twice. Just as in 2004, all three nights of the RNC saw FNC topping all broadcast and cable networks, But this time for FNC, just as it was for many networks, the numbers were even higher, and 9.2 million people watching FNC proved the most ever. "It's been a pretty amazing couple of weeks," FNC VP of news editorial Jay Wallace told TVNewser. "When it comes to news, now people are coming to cable news channels on various news stories. Not to toot our own horn, but it proves again we're very fortunate to have Brit Hume, Chris Wallace, our political team. People do tune in when there's a big political story." One of the things Wallace credits with FNC's success is separation. "We've been very careful to keep our opinion separate. Our news division takes care of that," he says. "That's done us well and I think that's why you see these numbers. See, when Brit or Shepard Smith are on, that's our news division talking. That's the way we've always done it." FNC's three wins didn't achieve the one thing CNN had on Thursday of the DNC — the top broadcast on all of television for the night. But FNC had strong DNC ratings as well, as the 2nd rated cable broadcast and sometimes even beating some of the networks. What does Wallace credit that to? Who's Wearing These Sneakers? and Why?
Friday Sep 05, 2008
That Didn't Take LongAfter months of build up, the tear down is well under way inside and outside the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Crews are taking apart the stage and putting back the seating. The first event to be held there will be a Minnesota Wild game on September 24. The national news crews have moved on too. Below are two videos. The first is from last night just after 7pmCT. It shows the FNC big screen outside the Fox Experience and panning toward the outside of the CNN Grill. The second is from this afternoon around 2:30pmCT. The Fox big screen is down and the tent is being taken apart. And the CNN Grill is no more ‐ the neon is gone and it's quickly being turned back into the Eagle St. Grill. ...and after the jump, a short clip from yesterday as we got on the MSNBC platform during the 6pmCT hour. Thursday Sep 04, 2008
Campbell Brown on Sexism and Sarah PalinAs the mother of an 8-month-old, CNN anchor Campbell Brown can relate to Gov. Sarah Palin. "I love the idea of a mother in the campaign and bringing some of those issues to the forefront," Brown told TVNewser this morning at the CNN Grill. But those issues, faced by millions of working mothers across the nation, have special significance for Palin and for Brown. As Palin campaigns, Brown reports, trying to find out more about the GOP VP nominee. Critics went after Brown Monday night after she pressed McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds about Palin's qualifications for the VP slot. "Despite what some people have said, there was a recognition from most people that I was doing my job," Brown says. "She's new to the political scene. There are a million questions to ask about her. It's our job." Brown's point? Attacks from democrats could backfire if perceived as sexist. "Just in the same way that many of Clinton's people charged sexism," Brown predicts, "I think you're going to see Republicans in certain cases when she's attacked, charging sexism." For Brown, it's all just another day at the office. The former NBC News anchor knows it comes with the territory. Motherhood just puts it all in perspective. Back In Bounds? McCain Team at CNN GrillThe CNN Grill has been quite the place for the last couple weeks. You could find big name celebs, grab a free meal from a well-known chef or break into a spontaneous dance party. It can even bring Sen. John McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds to call CNN, "top-notch." Remember Bounds? More than 500,000 people on YouTube have seen his on-air showdown with Campbell Brown from earlier this week, which led the campaign to cancel a Larry King Live interview with the nominee. But it appears things have been smoothed over. Bounds and some other McCain staffers were at the CNN Grill last night for dinner, and Bounds talked to the CNN Political Ticker. "I'm an enormous fan of Campbell," said Bounds. "I actually have a great time every time I come on with you guys. John Roberts and John King — everybody's great. CNN's top-notch." Bounds reports he had the fried chicken and it was, "very good." So that probably helped. Brown tells TVNewser she hasn't run in to Bounds while in St. Paul. We'll have more from our interview with the CNN anchor, later today. > Update: We hear Bounds was back in the Grill for lunch today, and talked to Brown, who invited him back on the show. Click continued to see Bounds talk to CNN at the Grill... For Brian Williams, 38,486 Miles and CountingGail Shister Pregnant, shmegnant. Candidates' kids are not fair game, says NBC's Brian Williams. "Show me the germaneness to their ability to lead the nation," he said last night, a few hours before Sarah Palin's vice-presidential acceptance speech at the G.O.P. National Convention. As everyone in the civilized world learned this week, Bristol Palin, 17-year-old daughter of the Alaska governor, is with child and without husband. "Families are messy and complicated and American and normal," said Williams, notoriously protective of his own. "It's where public officials kind of close the door behind them. Home is home. Family's family." With situations like Palin's, "We're feeling our way," Williams admitted. "It becomes part of the biographical sketch. Sometimes it bleeds over into politics. I'm comfortable reporting what we know." For politicos, it's an easier line to cross when it's with those of their own ilk, Williams said. Republican President Reagan and Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill, for example, "could be tough customers" on the Hill, Williams said, but after hours, the "twinklely-eyed Irishmen" liked to tip a few. (We can see the headline: Tip Tips.) "A switch gets thrown when the scene changes." In the last eight weeks, Williams has endured more scene changes than a "Law & Order" episode. Thanksgiving at the Olbermanns? Joe & Mika On Diner Life and the MSNBC FamilyWe stopped off at Key's Cafe this morning in downtown St. Paul, just a few blocks from the site of the RNC. It's been the home of MSNBC's Morning Joe, which, during the conventions, is xpanded from three to five hours on the network's schedule. EP Chris Licht tells us the free flowing format works for guests as well the anchors — drop in at the cafe, get on the show. That includes pundits, campaign reps, elected officials and the NBC/MSNBC regulars of Brokaw, Matthews, Buchanan and Barnicle. Also along for the ride in Denver and St. Paul, TV's Willie Geist and Scoop columnist for msnbc.com, Courtney Hazlett. We talked to Joe & Mika after the show about the early hours, the cafe concept and what's really behind those reports of a fractious MSNBC family. Also, click continued to see the Hollywood type who showed up at the diner today. Wednesday Sep 03, 2008
Early Read on Media Mention in Gov. Palin's SpeechTVNewser has obtained a copy of Gov. Sarah Palin's acceptance speech. In it, in just a matter of minutes, she will say this about the media: And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. Expect wild applause... > Update it wasn't wild applause, but sustained boos from the audience, followed by Gov. Palin saying: But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion — I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people. That got the applause and a standing ovation. Tough Act to FollowNBC's Brian Williams was a guest on the 4pm show at Minneapolis/St. Paul affiliate KARE-11. The guest in the next segment: yours truly. Williams talked about covering the convention, we talked about covering Williams...and Couric, Gibson and the rest. Williams told us he might be making another appearance on Comedy Central — on his way to the KARE set he ran into Daily Show correspondent Samantha Bee shooting her story. Live Chat with Rachel MaddowPreviouslyBrian, Charlie, Katie To Make the Morning Rounds After Their Evening Shows So, Who's Going to Get the Sarah Palin Interview? Meredith Vieira Hopes She Does Maggie Rodriguez's "Larger than Life" RNC Experience CNN Hotspot is More Than Just A Grill On the Floor, With a Democrat (Okay, Independent) Among Them Anchor Movement: Network News to St. Paul, Keith Stays in NY A Homecoming for FNC's Gretchen Carlson After the RNC, New Shows, New Names Feeding the CNN Army, Guests, and EMS Too Anchors to Head to St. Paul Tomorrow? Is Web Intolerance "Hurting America?" FNC Screen Provides Gustav Viewing RNC & Gustav: Prime Time Coverage Notes CNN's Historic Victory on Final DNC Night The Ticker (Gustav edition): Shep, Anderson, Gibson... Landfall for Gustav as Cablers Monitor Potential Damage Nets Roll with Gustav's Punches, From The Gulf Coast, St. Paul, and Beyond Behind-The-Scenes at "Largest Live Operation" on the Web McCain: RNC Will "Suspend Most of our Activities Tomorrow" Record 38 Million Watch Obama, Most on CNN The Networks End 2008 Convention #1 CNN Tops All Broadcasters on Night #3 of DNC The Ticker: (DNC Day 4 Edition): Ratings, Evening, Watching... Look Who Dropped in On GMA at the DNC Let's See Charlie Gibson and Brian Williams Do a Headstand 12 Year Later, Money Trail Still Ruffling Feathers "To Put It Simply, We're Covering Two Different Democatic Conventions" NBC First for DNC Night Two The Ticker (DNC Day 3, PM Ed.): Nightly, Mornings, Post-Conventions... The Ticker: (DNC Day 3 Edition): Hemmer, Stanley, Bus... Bright and Early, with CBS' Smith Behind-the-Scenes at the Convention Klein: "This is How Ted Turner Started" Cavuto: Anchor of the Business News Show in Denver Barkley, Carville — One-On-One Acuna Talks Denver, Security and More TVNewser Live Chat, with Greta Van Susteren Koppel on BBC: What's This Convention All About, Anyway? DNC Night One: Cable Nets Up Big From 2004 CNN Beats CBS & ABC in 10pmET Hour will.i.am Set For Political Panel "Wherever Wolf is, That's Where The Situation Room Is" Couric's More "Relaxed" Newscast Wallace Reflects on Conventions Past Hillary Supporters, Still No Love For Chris Matthews At Security Checkpoint, a Security Stand-up Couric Tosses to The Ticker: (Youth Vote Edition): Palestra, UWIRE, Early... Technical Difficulties in Denver, Part II: Too Close to the Edge Luke Russert's First NBC News Report Asks Young Dems About the VP Choice Friday Afternoon, at the Democratic Convention |
|
||||||||