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.