The numbers are deceiving for the print media, because first, the NY Times leads most media where what they put on the front page is followed by others. Second, stories from the NYT, the Washington Post, the LA Times, and AP are picked up by many smaller papers and republished.I appreciate what you are saying about the broadcast, not cable, channels....a couple of points on the printed media:
The NY times only has 300,000 of a bigger circulation than the NY Post...the USA Today only has 200,000 more than the Wall Street Journal
The LA times has a slightly bigger circulation than the OC Register, San Diego Union-Tribune, LA Daily News (although they did back Obama over McCain)...in the same distribution area.
I think too much is put on the power of the printed media today...I think far more people get their news from the Internet.