CBS ratings tank...

[insein]

http://drudgereport.com/cbsd3.htm

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THU SEPT 16, 2004 11:42:09 ET XXXXX

CBS CONCERN OVER VIEWERSHIP PLUNGE; RATHER RATINGS FADE IN MAJOR MARKETS

CBS executives on both coasts have become concerned in recent days that Dan Rather's EVENING NEWS broadcast has plunged in the ratings since the anchor presented questionable documents about Bush's National Guard service.

NIELSEN numbers released this week show Rather fading and trailing his rivals in every Top 10 city, other than San Francisco, with audience margins in some cities running more than 6 to 1 against CBS!

Executives fear many voters inclined to vote for Bush are now switching off Rather.

"The audience appears to [be] polarized," a top CBS source said from LOS ANGELES on Thursday. "Rightly or wrongly, we're being perceived as 'anti-Bush,' which I do not think is fair to Dan, who is a fine journalist... of course we do not like to see the ratings coming back the way they are this week."

In Philadelphia, the nation's #4 market, Rather pulled a 2.6 rating/5 share on Tuesday night against ABC's 13.3 rating/23 share and NBC's 4.0/7.

In Chicago, Rather hit a 2.3/5 to ABC's 9.2/20.

CBS trailed ABC by more than 2 to 1 in Los Angeles.

And in the nation's top market, New York, Rather finished not only behind NBC NIGHTLY NEWS and ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT -- but also pulled less audience than reruns of the SIMPSONS, WILL & GRACE and KING OF QUEENS.

Rather finished dead last in New York during the 6:30 pm timeslot among all broadcast channels tracked by NIELSEN on Tuesday.

I also heard on Rush and Glenn Beck that he finished DEAD last in ALL programs including reruns of the Simpsons and King of Queens. Way to go Dan!!

 

[musicman]

"... we're perceived as 'anti-Bush'....".

Gee - do you think so?

"... Dan, who is a fine journalist...".

Yes - we've seen.

In the end, money's gonna talk, and bullshit's gonna walk. It's not written down anyplace, but it's still the law. So long, dickhead.

 

[5stringJeff]

I refuse to even go onto a CBS News website. I'm not turning on their news, especially not Dan Rather.

 

[Adam's Apple]

People should have turned their backs on CBS right after they released the Abu Ghaib photographs. CBS published the photographs even after they had been asked not to by the military, which had made it clear to CBS they were in the process of taking care of the concerns. Any news organization that would sell its own country down the river like they did in time of war doesn't deserve an audience. Holding CBS accountable for this latest episode is long overdue. They have been able to get away with partisanship in the news with no accountability for much too long.

 

[krisy]

WTF is wrong with these people? It's unfair that someone would see Dan Rather is anti-Bush? Give me a freaking break. Maybe that's because America is seeing his antics now and are tired of them! But,it's probably because he is anti Bush!!! That has got to be the pukiest news show i have ever seen.

 

[insein]

People should have turned their backs on CBS right after they released the Abu Ghaib photographs. CBS published the photographs even after they had been asked not to by the military, which had made it clear to CBS they were in the process of taking care of the concerns. Any news organization that would sell its own country down the river like they did in time of war doesn't deserve an audience. Holding CBS accountable for this latest episode is long overdue. They have been able to get away with partisanship in the news with no accountability for much too long.

How bout the time Rather declared the Tet offensive a major defeat when in reality it was a victory for the US. A costly victory but far from a defeat. Rather delcared over the airwaves that "we lost", demoralizing the troops and strengthening the VC. He's long since been a traitor to this country.

 

[MJDuncan1982]

When did this country become so nationalistic? Talk about creepy when somebody who opposes a president is demonized.

Nationalism is the disease of mankind. Don't love this nation because it is simply America, love it for what it stands for.

 

[JIHADTHIS]

When did this country become so nationalistic? Talk about creepy when somebody who opposes a president is demonized.

Nationalism is the disease of mankind. Don't love this nation because it is simply America, love it for what it stands for.

"Opposes" is one thing, trying to throw an election by abusing your position as a news anchor is another.........

 

[Annie]

When did this country become so nationalistic? Talk about creepy when somebody who opposes a president is demonized.

Nationalism is the disease of mankind. Don't love this nation because it is simply America, love it for what it stands for.

You are referring to Rather? Or whom?

 

[Jimmyeatworld]

When did this country become so nationalistic? Talk about creepy when somebody who opposes a president is demonized.

Nationalism is the disease of mankind. Don't love this nation because it is simply America, love it for what it stands for.

Oh please. Dan Rather isn't the host of a commentary show, he's the news anchor of a major network. He is suppose to be a joarnalist. He is suppose to be impartial. That goes for anybody working with CBS "News". The way they reported this story and handled the so called investigation is blatent bias.

 

[Adam's Apple]

Insein, yes, Rather's reporting on the Tet offensive was unconscionable and a shameful remembrance for many. CBS has had free license to air their viewpoints for too many years. Who had the power to hold them accountable for what they reported? After all, they were the press! Now with myriad sources of alternative news reporting available, I think their days may finally be numbered. Their credibility factor with the public (ratings) has been declining for several years and has really dropped since the release of this story with fraudulent documents to support it.

 

[fubar]

Drather called the Florida Polls Closed, during the evening dinner hour, when Northern (republican) voters who vote after Work, came home to see how it was going. So they didn't show up to vote.

How much BS would we have been spared if another 5000 votes republican had been cast ? Thanks, Dan.

 

[musicman]

Absolutely. Mission(almost) accomplished. What we have are a bunch of unelected shitheads actually affecting election outcomes. Florida was no anomaly - it's standard operating procedure with the liberal networks.

If you haven't already, check out "Slander", by Ann Coulter, for an exhaustively detailed account of the LMM's shenanigans during the 2000 election. I hope that a reprint of that one section of the book is made widely available to the public at election time. Even the most vapid, sleepwalking voter is beginning to smell a rat(a big, nasty one named, "Dan"). If that one voter can be alerted to the slimy tactics that these propogandists masquerading as journalists employ as a matter of routine, there might actually be some hope.