Last week, Peter Bergen appeared on American Morning to discuss the Taliban's proof-of-life tape of PFC Bowe Bergdahl, as well as the overall status of the war in Afghanistan:
Friday, John Roberts spoke with The New York Times' Roger Cohen, who did such remarkable reporting during the Iran protests immediately following the election:
Monday, Arwa Damon had a report about the new ways that American troops are working with the Iraqi forces:
Nic Robertson reports from London on the status of British forces in Afghanistan and the possibilities of talking with the more moderate Taliban leaders:
Another report from Ivan Watson, with the Marines in Helmand Province in Afghanistan -- how to avoid the IEDs that have now become common in this war:
Friday, Cal Perry reported from Beirut on the latest in shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East:
Ratings for the week July 20, 2009 - July 24, 2009
8PM^
Adults 25-54
FOX
812,000 1
CNN
170,333 2
MSNBC
244,500 4
HLN
251,600
9PM^
Adults 25-54
FOX
656,750 1
CNN
255,333 2
MSNBC
313,200
HLN
167,800
10PM^
Adults 25-54
FOX
670,600 1
CNN
380,000 3
MSNBC
202,333 5
HLN
195,400
As you can see above, there were several exceptions this week with the ratings. So, lets take a look at some of the special programming that was excluded from the weekly average first. President Obama's 8PM ET press conference on Wednesday resulted in CNN coming out ahead with 744,000 viewers (in the adults 25 - 54 demographic). Behind them came FOX with 657,000 viewers and MSNBC with 496,000 viewers. (HLN aired their regular programming.)
Following the press conference on Wednesday night, was the premiere of CNN's Black in America 2. How did it do? The program averaged 819,000 viewers (in the key demographic) between 9PM - 11PM ET. The average of the other networks who aired regular programming came up short against CNN. FOX averaged 795,000 viewers; MSNBC averaged 483,500 viewers; and HLN averaged 204,000 viewers.
On Thursday night was the second night of Black in America. Without the presidential lead in and the early time slot (8PM - 10PM) the program didn't do nearly as well. FOX came out with the higher two hour average (with regular programming) with 722,000 viewers. CNN averaged 569,000 viewers; MSNBC averaged 401,000 viewers; and HLN averaged 262,000 viewers.
The averages minus the special programming, leave us with FOX in first place in the demographic at all three prime time hours using a 4 night average at 8PM & 9PM and a five night average at 10PM.
CNN came in fourth place at 8PM using a 3 night average, third place at 9PM using a three night average, and second place at 10PM using a 4 night average.
MSNBC placed third at 8PM using a 4 night average, second at 9PM using a five night average, and third at 10PM using a 3 night average.
HLN is the only network of the four that used a five night average during all three prime time hours. They did well at 8PM coming in second but slipped to fourth for the week during both 9PM and 10PM.
1 FOX 4 night average used at 8PM & 9PM. Wednesday night is excluded as a result of special coverage for President Obama's prime time press conference.
2 CNN 3 night average used at 8PM and 9PM. Nights excluded: Wednesday 8PM for President Obama's prime time press conference and 9PM for Black in America 2; Thursday 8PM & 9PM for Black in America 2.
3 CNN 4 night average used at 10PM. Wednesday night excluded for Black in America 2
4 MSNBC 4 night average used at 8PM. Wednesday night excluded for President Obama's prime time press conference
5 MSNBC 3 night average used at 10PM. Wednesday night excluded for Hardball and Friday night for special programming.
^ Courtesy Nielsen Media Research; Demographics where noted; Live + Same Day (LS) Fast Track Nationals.
Arwa Damon sat down with General David Petraeus to discuss the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. She also does a live update on the situation in Kurdistan, where elections were happening Saturday:
Friday, Michael Ware did a report on AC360 about the Afghan warlord who is currently holding an American soldier hostage:
Nic Robertson was in Brussels on Thursday to report on a trial there of members of a terror cell and specifically the testimony of an American suspected of aiding al Qaeda to plan attacks in the US and taking part in an attack on a military base in Afghanistan:
Ivan Watson is still with the Marines in Helmand, and in this report from Friday he reports on an attack by the Taliban that killed one American, and a trip to a local bazaar that is deserted due to the fighting:
Saturday, Ivan reports on a series of coordinated attacks by the Taliban on a number of government offices throughout Afghanistan:
MONDAY: Michael Ware is in New York (above) as is Reza Sayah. John Roberts was in for Campbell Brown; John King was in for Anderson Cooper.
TUESDAY: John Roberts was in for Campbell; John King was in for Anderson.
WEDNESDAY: Soledad O'Brien hosted Moment of Truth live from Times Square (in place of Lou Dobbs Tonight); Black in America 2 premiered in place of Campbell's program; Larry King Live was pre-empted for the presidential press conference; Black in America 2 continued during what would normally be the first hour of AC360, which aired live in its second hour.
THURSDAY: Ed Henry was in Cleveland.
FRIDAY: Don Lemon and TJ Holmes were in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Nic Robertson was in Brussels, Belgium; Karl Penhaul was at the Honduras/Nicaragua border; Rick Sanchez was in New York for his program and also filled in for Campbell; Dr. Drew filled in for Larry King.
SATURDAY: TJ was back in Atlanta; Brooke Baldwin filled in for Betty Nguyen.
State of the Union with John King started off this morning with an interview with Senior White House Advisor David Axelrod. The first topic that John King covered was whether the stimulus package has been a success. Of course, the conversation soon turned to health care reform. Congress will not complete the task of passing legislation prior to the August recess. Listening to Axelrod, I was reminded of another President's promise of "no new taxes"- I'm afraid that the current President's pledge to not raise taxes on those making less that $250,000 may end up going the same way. Axelrod made the point this morning that the current health care system works for the insurance companies but doesn't work for the insured. It is nice to see that the policy discussion is at least in part starting to include reforms in addition to expanding those that would receive coverage. The next topic was Professor-gate. Oddly, Axelrod seemed to stumble around on this topic a bit.
Is Axelrod worried about the political future of Gov. Palin? Nope. His answer implied that he has more important things to worry about politically (although he was much more diplomatic with his actual answer).
John King spoke with Speaker Nancy Pelosi late on Friday. King taped the behind the scenes preview from the CNN parking area on his way to the interview.
Pelosi dodged the question about whether a public health care option would include coverage for abortion. The question actually seemed to shock her. She was prepared for the question about whether or not those that were in the US illegally would be covered by the bill but didn't have an answer on how hospitals were supposed to deal with it when they show up in the emergency room.
Is it time for another stimulus package? Per Pelosi: no.
King interviewed Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R) live in the D.C. studio. They discussed the health care legislation and whether the Republicans would except a public/ government option. The Senator's opinion is that "the only thing bipartisan with this legislation is the opposition to it." And the Senator's first idea on how to fix the legislation: stop lawsuits against doctors. (That smells of lobbyist to me.) The Senator declared the stimulus package a failure and that we haven't seen the last of Gov. Palin.
John King was in Texas this week. He spoke with Gregory Rose, a 23 year old man, who graduated from college and found out he had leukemia. His medication alone costs $5,000 a month. He no longer has health care coverage because he receives too much money from his social security disability. The impression from the report was that Rose could either have health insurance via Medicaid or pay his rent (with his disability check).
In the America Dispatch segment, King also spoke with JPS' CEO and Chief of Medicine about the possibility of "squeezing" Medicaid/ Medicare payments.
Howard Kurtz's Reliable Sources started off with a discussion on the arrest of Professor Gates in Cambridge, MA. The panel included Callie Crossley, Lauren Ashburn, and Roger Simon.
Then the panel turned to the "Birthers". The longer I listen to Lauren Ashburn from USA Today the more I like her. Here was her response to the "Birthers" issue:
ASHBURN: One of the only newspapers -- and here I am, you know, shilling for "USA Today," essentially -- to not cover this since the election is "USA Today." Why?
KURTZ: Yes, why?
ASHBURN: Cottage industry of conspiracy theorists is basically what we're seeing here. And why do you give a voice to that. You know, why not help drive the dialogue forward on issues that are important to Americans like health care and other things that need addressing?
...
ASHBURN: I would go even a step farther to say that it's unethical. It's unethical of the media to be taking this issue and putting it front and center when all of the proof is there to the country.
Source: CNN Transcript, Reliable Sources/ State of the Union with John King, July 26, 2009.
The coverage of the nude photos of EPSN's Erin Andrews was criticized by Callie Crossley, Christine Brennan and Lauren Ashburn. The panel agreed that the media was just as guilty as those who took the peep hole pictures since they showed them on air and in print. The next topic was ESPN not initially covering sex charges made against a quarterback.
Roger Simon, Ryan Lizza, and Debra Saunders discussed the President's prime time press conference and how Lynn Sweet's question about Louis Henry Gates' arrest became the headline - not the topic of the press conference which was health care. The President has been doing more interviews than is typical: filling the void so that his opponents can't.
Kurtz interviewed Ben Mezrich the author of The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal. The book is non-fiction, but has a based on a true story feel to it with dialogue recreated and condensed in order to keep the story moving. Kevin Spacey is reportedly involved with the upcoming movie version of the book. Mezrich is also the author of the book that was the basis for the movie 21.
The pundit hour started with a review of the Sound of Sunday and then followed with a round table discussion with Paul Begala, Alex Castellanos, Bill Bennett, and Marc Morial. The first topic for the panel was the controversy over the President's remarks concerning Professor Gates' arrest. (The first part of the discussion ended with a debate on what type of beer one drinks.)
The final minutes with this panel were spent talking about the future for now former Gov. Palin. The mention of Alaska gave Paul Begala the perfect opportunity to show off a picture from his vacation to Seward, Alaska. (If you had seen Begala earlier in the week - he was sporting some facial hair - a left over from his vacation.) As to the question at hand: Begala is hoping she runs in 2010; Castellanos thinks she will split the party; and Bennett doesn't have or at least wasn't willing to share his opinion.
While King was in Texas, he stopped in to Norma's Cafe in Dallas to tape the CNN Diner segment where he spoke with Connie Obenhaus, Chase Robinson, and Theresa Moreno. They shared their health care stories and they discussed whether abortion should be included if the Congress approved a tax payer funded health care option and about whether illegal immigrants should receive care.
The next panel included Joe Johns, Ed Henry, and Dana Bash. Health care dominated the first part of the conversation. When they came back from commercial break, they discussed the economy and the impact of the recovery act (short term or long term?). Next, they visited the President's comments about Professor Gates' arrest.
During the last hour of the program, a flashback to the 9AM hour with a repeat of the interview with David Axelrod, Speaker Pelosi, and Senator Mitch McConnell.
The Last Word went to the Mayor of Cambridge, E. Denise Simmons to discuss with the controversy over the arrest of Louis Henry Gates.
A few extras this week... clips from The Situation Room that caught my eye. First, imagine this: Wolf Blitzer and the Beastie Boys... Too Many Rappers the latest song from the Beastie Boys featuring NAS mentions the CNN anchor.
Here's the full version of the new single:
What Blitzer didn't mention is that the Beastie Boys made news earlier in the week with the announcement that they will be delaying the release of the their new album Hot Sauce Committee PT 1 and canceling several concert dates because rapper MC is having a cancerous tumor removed from his neck.
Are George and Hank terrorists? Its incredible the unintended consequences well meaning laws have on the little guys. CNN's Jeanne Meserve reported about mule handlers having to get TWIC cards along the Lehigh Canal.
And the final item for the night... Tom Foreman's latest Metro article: Washington’s Secret Society. Here's an excerpt:
Less than a year ago, President Barack Obama (then a mere candidate) was storming the campaign trail making some of those “Come on kids, let’s change government for the better!” promises that enthralled the fans. And among them was this little gem. He said as he prepared his health care initiative, he would not merely insist on keeping his meetings open, but also “have the negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies.”
Maybe my cable company has done another of those squirrelly channel realignments, but somehow I’ve missed that reality show. Instead, the Obama administration, much like the Clinton administration years ago, has held virtually all of its health care meetings on this signature subject in private, doors closed, “do not disturb” signs hanging outside.
President of Morehouse School of Medicine Dr. John Maupin, Recipient of the Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award and Humanitarian Malaak Compton-Rock, President and Founder of The Children’s Defense Fund Marian Wright Edelman, CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien and Ambassador Andrew Young in Atlanta
Recipient of the Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award Malaak Compton-Rock and CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien at the Freedom’s Voice Award gala in Atlanta.
Dr. Lovell Jones, director of the Center for Research on Minority Health; Jeff Reid, executive producer of Black in America 2; Cindy George, legal reporter for Houston Chronicle; CNN anchor T.J. Holmes and Judson Robinson, president and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League, at the Angelika Theater in Houston for an advanced screening of Black in America 2 on Thursday, June 18, 2009.
Rev. Dr. William Lawson of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and CNN anchor T.J. Holmes at the Angelika Theater in Houston during a preview of Black in America 2.
CNN Pentagon correspondent Chris Lawrence moderates a panel discussion at the Detroit screening of Black in America 2 on June 23, 2009. Panelists are (from l-to-r): Detroit Free Press writer Naomi Patton, President of the Detroit chapter of the NAACP The Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony; Detroit Urban League President and CEO Charles Anderson; University of Michigan oncologist featured in the documentary Dr. Lisa Newman; CNN senior producer Michelle Rozsa and CNN assistant general counsel and Diversity Council chair Johnita Due.
Panelists engage in discussion after the Black in America 2 screening at the Charles H. Wright African-American museum in Detroit
Thanks to Julie for the great finds. See you all next week ~ Sapphire
Ivan Watson has been embedded with the Marines in Helmand province this week, and has been sending out some incredible footage of their mission and how they cope with the dangers and the conditions.
Monday, a look at the Marines preparing to destroy a cache of chemicals used to make heroin:
Tuesday, more explosions, as the Marines use 1000-lb bombs to destroy poppy seed supplies. Oh yes, you can tell the Americans are in town -- Jerry Bruckheimer, eat your heart out:
Wednesday, a look at life "on the road" and how the troops cope:
And the return to home base, along with a chance to bathe in the Helmand River:
This morning, a look at the latest firefight, as the Marines press to within 50 miles of the Pakistan border.
Some amazing work from another of CNN's terrific war correspondents.
Our regular 'Out of the Box' feature is preempted today so we can give you the details on CNN's important documentary 'Black in America 2'. Look for 'Out of the Box' to post on Friday night this week.
all photos courtesy of CNN CNN’s acclaimed Black in America series continues this week with extraordinary stories of successful community leaders who are improving the lives of African-Americans. Anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien criss-crossed the U.S., and included reporting from Ghana and South Africa, as she uncovered the people and programs at the forefront of change – people inspiring volunteerism, programs that are improving access to quality health care and education, and leaders working to address financial disparities and develop strong families.For the documentaries, O’Brien reported from Brooklyn, where humanitarian Malaak Compton-Rock has created “Journey for Change,” an innovative program aimed at expanding the horizons, and improving the confidence of economically disadvantaged teens. O’Brien and Compton-Rock traveled to South Africa with over two dozen teens for two weeks of transformative volunteer service in shanty towns and AIDS orphanages. O’Brien also had an extensive interview with media mogul Tyler Perry – and a rare tour of his sprawling film studios in Atlanta, GA. Perry rose from poverty to multi-million dollar success, and as the owner of a major motion picture studio, he talks with O’Brien about the importance of control and creative vision.Soledad interviewed former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, D.C., about the importance of service, volunteerism and motivating young people. And there is an inspirational story of a heroic oncologist who continues her research in Detroit and Ghana – despite the doctor’s fears about her own recent biopsy, and a principal from Hartford, CT, who founded a year-round magnet high school that sends all of its graduates to college. Black in America 2: Tomorrow’s Leaders – Wednesday, July 22, 8 p.m. For the debut evening of CNN’s Black in America 2, O’Brien focuses on people who are developing African-American leaders for tomorrow. John Rice’s “Management Leadership for Tomorrow” mentors talented African-American professionals to help them rise to positions of power and success in America’s companies. Compton-Rock’s “Journey for Change” program offers teens the opportunity to see the world and develop self-confidence, and principal Steve Perry’s Capital Preparatory Magnet School prepares African-American students for college.O’Brien interviewed musician John Legend in New York City about his humanitarian efforts. Legend has collaborated with Management Leaders for Tomorrow, an organization that works to increase minority presence in corporate leadership positions. She also interviewed comedian/radio host/author Steve Harvey from his studio in Atlanta.
Black in America 2: Today’s Pioneers – Thursday, July 23, 8 p.m. The second documentary in the two-night series profiles community organizers across the country who are creating progress at a local level. From an innovative Chicago health clinic that uses barbers to encourage African-American men to seek the medical care they need; to actor/director/playwright Tyler Perry, whose life’s journey has led him from homelessness to becoming a powerful filmmaker and television producer; to the founder of the “Black Marriage Day” project who works with couples in 300 cities to help develop strong, healthy families. This evening profiles people working in ways large and small to make a difference.Today’s Pioneers Jameeca Barnes is a college student, whose parents’ marital problems have begun to affect her grades. Her parents are seeking marriage counseling from the Washington, D.C.-based Wedded Bliss Foundation, which aims to save black marriages. James and Tina Barnes, a couple from Waldorf, Md., have been married for 21 years. On the brink of divorce, they seek marital counseling through Nisa Muhammad’s Wedded Bliss Foundation, which is dedicated to saving and strengthening black marriages. Jayda Barnes, the youngest Barnes daughter, participates in a school modeling competition. Her parents, James and Tina Barnes, are contemplating a divorce but seek counseling with the Washington, D.C.-based Wedded Bliss Foundation to save their marriage. Everett Highbaugh is a case worker with Project Choice, a support group based in Oakland, Calif., aimed at easing the transition back into society for ex-convicts. Andrew Josey works with Everett Highbaugh at Project Choice, a support group based in Oakland, Calif., aimed at easing the transition back into society for ex-convicts. Nisa Muhammad has made it her mission to save black marriages. In 2006, Muhammad, once divorced herself, founded the Wedded Bliss Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based program that promotes healthy marriages for African-American families through interactive classes and counseling. Marcus Murray is the executive director of Project Brotherhood. Project Brotherhood is a Chicago-based program that provides free health care and social services to black men. Lisa Newman, MD, is a surgeon specializing in breast cancer at the University of Michigan hospital. Dr. Newman travels to Ghana on a regular basis to research a cure for triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease that’s twice as likely to affect African-American women as white women. Tyler Perry, a New Orleans-native who once faced homelessness, is a successful African-American actor/director/playwright who owns a major film and television studio in Atlanta. Perry’s movies have grossed over $370 million to date. Dawn Spencer is a patient of Dr. Newman, who also appears in the documentary for Newman’s work treating breast cancer in African-American women. Spencer, from Southfield, Mich., has aggressive triple negative breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancer affects African-American women at a higher rate than white women. Chris Shurn, who was featured in 2008’s Black in America, was released from San Quentin State Prison after his conviction of crack and firearm possession in 2004. In Black in America 2, Shurn searched for a job and worked with Project Choice, a program that helps ex-convicts re-enter society. In June 2009, he was re-arrested and faces new charges. Bonnie “Pete” Thomas, MD, is the medical director of Project Brotherhood, a Chicago clinic that provides free health care and social services for African-American men. Dr. Thomas spreads the word about his program through barbershops as part of his community outreach.
Cicely Tyson launched her acting career during the Civil Rights era. Tyson walks with CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien through her Harlem neighborhood, where she is interviewed by O’Brien about facing challenges of segregation and racial barriers while breaking into the film industry. Frank Wilson has been left immobile after a heart attack. Without health insurance, he benefits from Project Brotherhood, a program that provides services such as free health care and social services to African-American men in Chicago. To read more about Black in America 2 just follow the link. ~Phebe
Ratings for the week July 13, 2009 - July 17, 2009
8PM^
Adults 25-54
FOX
776,750 1
CNN
198,000
MSNBC
292,200
HLN
287,000
9PM^
Adults 25-54
FOX
586,000 1
CNN
325,400
MSNBC
253,800
HLN
201,400
10PM^
Adults 25-54
FOX
574,750 1
CNN
297,000
MSNBC
199,000
HLN
266,200
Ratings this week are just about back to what we had become accustomed to seeing. FOX is back on top, winning all prime time time slots on all five nights last week in the Adults 25 - 54 demographic.
CNN was back to fourth place during the 8PM. At 9PM, they came in second place after ranking second four nights out of five. At 10PM, CNN was all over the place coming in second place three times, and the third and fourth once each. Regardless, the average for the week put them in second place.
MSNBC took second place at 8PM after landing in second place three times and third place twice. They didn't fair as well at 9PM, after coming in second once, third three times, and fourth once. The average for the week put them in third place. During the 10PM hour, MSNBC came in fourth place four nights out of five and managed a second place finish on one night (Thursday).
HLN came in third place three times and second place twice during the 8PM hour, which put them in third place for the week. At 9PM hour, they found themselves in fourth place four nights and third place on one night (Friday) which left them in fourth place for the week. The 10PM timeslot had HLN in third place for the week with four nights coming in third and one night (Tuesday) in second place.
1 4 night rating used for FOX. Firday night not included. FOX aired special coverage of Walter Cronkite's death and the Apollo landing/ moonwalk 40th anniversary.
^ Courtesy Nielsen Media Research; Demographics where noted; Live + Same Day (LS) Fast Track Nationals.
Dan Rivers has gone to Jakarta to cover the terrorist bombings there, and Friday he reported on the latest developments for The Situation Room, followed by Tom Foreman using Google Earth on the Magic Wall to show where the hotels are situated :
Peter Bergen also appeared on TSR to discuss the group believed to be behind the bombings as well as the hunt for OBL:
Sunday morning, Dan updated new information from Jakarta:
By the way, congratulations to Dan for being nominated for a news Emmy for his coverage of the Myanmar cyclone last year -- if you recall his work, it was not only dangerous because of the desperate situation of all the flooding and injured people but also because the local government was hunting him down to arrest/expel him.
Also on Sunday, Ivan Watson reported from Afghanistan on the crash of a helicopter, and also showed some amazing footage of his travels with the Marines in Helmand province:
Arwa Damon is doing the current rotation in Baghdad, and had this report about how Iraqis now feel about Saddam Hussein:
Wolf Blitzer talked to Bob Woodward about the political implications of the wars, especially the new focus on Afghanistan:
MONDAY: Sanjay Gupta was in Port au Prince, Haiti; David Mattingly was still in Pensecola, Florida. Wolf Blitzer hosted coverage of the Sotomayor hearings, Tony Harris was not on at all.
TUESDAY: Ed Henry was in Warren, Michigan. Wolf hosting the hearings, neither Heidi Collins nor Rick Sanchez were on at all.
WEDNESDAY: Stan Grant is in Islamabad. Wolf hosted the hearings, Fredericka Whitfield was in for Rick, who was in Miami.
THURSDAY: Arwa Damon is in Baghdad (above). Carol Costello was in for Kiran Chetry. AC360 was two hours long.
FRIDAY: Dan Rivers is in Jakarta. Carol was in for Kiran; TJ Holmes was in for Tony; Kitty Pilgrim was in for Lou Dobbs; John King was in for both Larry King and Anderson Cooper.
SATURDAY: Ivan Watson is in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
