Cable News Ratings: CNN’s ‘Black In America 2’ Underwhelms
Drops from last year, despite Presidential lead-in
By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/24/2009 5:28:30 PM
CNN’s Black In America 2, the two night long form programming event hosted by Soledad O’Brien, underperformed for the cable news network, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.
Despite having President Obama’s press conference as a lead-in Wednesday, a press conference which ended on a discussion about race (as it related to the arrest and subsequent release of Henry Louis Gates), the first edition of Black In America 2 was down slightly from last year, down 6% in total viewers (2.128 million to 1.991 million) and 7% among P25-54 (966,000 to 894,000). While Black In America declined year over year, CNN still won the night in the key 25-54 demo the news nets target.
While the 2008 special improved during its second night, the 2009 edition dropped significantly. Night two drew 1.406 million total viewers, compared to 2.565 million last year, and 569,000 demo viewers, compared to 1.210 million last year, that is down 45% and 53% respectively. Fox News won the night in both demo and total viewers
Despite the drop, CNN noted that Black In America 2 was the highest rated cable news documentary so far this year on any network.
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CNN needs to realize that it isn't cool to showcase such ignorance and single-minded views. Not every black person in America is African-American. Expand your views and maybe people will tune in. Soledad O'Brien and the one black dude on their network is not enough to pique anyone's interest. Nancy Grace is a big-mouthed disgrace. And they promote such far-right views, that people just cannot be bothered.
Neely KC - 7/28/2009 1:44:44 PM EDT -
As a moderate I used to watch MSNBC. As it turned more partisan and shrill, I was turned off by all one-sided opinion and the complete lack of news. CNN unfortunately has become boring. I used to like the news most on Headline News, but that has become too Jerry Springer for me. I mostly watch FOX and CNBC when I watch at all. Their daytime programs have the widest discussion, even if tilting. Their news is varied and constantly changing. The opinions though too leaning can be entertaining. At least I get a good laugh from them.
Ricardo Illinois - 7/28/2009 10:07:14 AM EDT -
ChickaBOOMer -- CNN: Fade To Black
chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2009/07/cnn-fade-to-black.html
StewartIII - 7/28/2009 12:46:32 AM EDT -
Really not surprised CNN's ratings are dropping. Amazed that FOX and MSNBC rating's are as high as they are. Pretty much feel all three are poor examples of news channeles. I'm afraid I'm old enough to remember the days of Walter Cronkite, Eric Sevareid, John Cancellor etc. You know, the real news anchors, from before the days of the current lip gloss, hair styled , third rate talking heads that now try to pass as news anchors. News reporting is a shdow of it's former self.
Edward R - 7/27/2009 12:11:10 AM EDT -
I am amazed CNN's ratings are so low these days. I think he market is changing. People can find out the facts about a story from so many avenues. What they want, are discussions on the issue. FOX NEWS/MS NBC offers a more entertaining, enlightening discussions. CNN is boring these days. The same old news ALL DAY.
Corve - 7/26/2009 9:41:46 AM EDT
