Lou Dobbs joins Fox Business Network

The LATimes is reporting that former CNN host Lou Dobbs has signed with Fox Business:

Lou Dobbs joining Fox Business Network

November 10, 2010 |  9:47 am

Just about a year to the day that he left CNN, Lou Dobbs is returning to cable news, this time as host of his own show on News Corp.'s Fox Business Network.

Fox Business Network is expected to announce that it has signed Dobbs as early as Wednesday afternoon. It's the latest high-profile hire for the cable network, which launched a little over three years ago and is in 57 million homes. Although that is far fewer homes than its chief rival, CNBC, Fox Business last week managed to beat CNBC on election night, both in viewers and the key adults 25-54 demographic.

Dobbs' show will premiere in early 2011. He will also appear on other Fox Business programming.

When Dobbs left CNN last November after clashing with management there, he said some leaders had been urging him to "go beyond the role at CNN and to engage in constructive problem-solving as well as to contribute positively to the great understanding of the issues of our day."

At that time, there was speculation that Dobbs would seek some sort of political office. He had become something of a lightening rod on several issues, most prominently illegal immigration. It was his commentary on that topic that often led to fights with CNN brass, including Jon Klein, who was then president of CNN's domestic operations.

Although Dobbs played up the idea that he would enter politics, many within the media industry anticipated that he would find a new home at Fox, either with Fox News Channel or Fox Business.

Dobbs has not been off the radar for the last year. He continued his nationally syndicated radio show after he left CNN and is expected to keep that gig with Fox Business as well.

Dobbs will instantly become one of the biggest names on Fox Business. Neil Cavuto is its most prominent on-air personality. Other high-profile anchors and reporters include Charlie Gasparino and Dennis Kneale, both former CNBC staffers, and Gerri Willis, an ex-CNN correspondent who hosts a show for Fox Business.

-- Joe Flint

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Reliable Sources

If you aren't a viewer of CNN's Reliable Source with Howard Kurtz I'd suggest you give it a look on Sunday mornings. Kurtz takes a hard look at the news media and pulls no punches with his critiques. Here are a few clips from this week's program that look at election night ratings, the 200 million dollar-a-day trip ;) the POTUS is on and Keith Olberman and Jon Stewart.

All content, unless otherwise cited, is © All Things CNN and may not be used without consent of the blog administrator.

Abbie Boudreau leaves CNN

Another loss for the network: Abbie Boudreau has reportedly left. No details yet as to where she is going. She joined CNN in 2007 as part of the Special Investigations Unit.

Her bio (before it gets removed):

Abbie Boudreau is an investigative correspondent for CNN’s Special Investigations and Documentary unit. She is based in CNN’s world headquarters in Atlanta.

In addition to reporting investigative stories for various CNN programs, Boudreau contributes to other long-form programming.

Boudreau joined CNN in October 2007. Since that time, her work has earned her the Livingston Award for international reporting, a national Emmy nomination, a National Headliner Award, a national Clarion Award, and she was an IRE finalist for an investigative series called “Hurricane Giveaway.” Her reporting exposed why millions of dollars of brand new household supplies that were supposed to be given to survivors of Hurricane Katrina, instead gathered dust in warehouses. The items were later given away to various state and federal agencies. As a result of Boudreau’s reporting, thousands of items were recovered and handed over to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Other investigations have also led to significant changes. Just this year, she investigated the controversial 96-hour rule that NATO soldiers were operating under in Afghanistan. Under the policy, soldiers had just 96 hours to detain suspects, then had to release them or turn them over to Afghan authorities. One month after the story aired on AC 360, the United States Department of Defense announced the rule was being eliminated, and a new policy was put into effect.

In 2009, at a time the U.S. Postal Service was facing a financial crisis, Boudreau exposed its practice of buying million dollar homes to relocate its employees. The policy was changed as a result of the story.

Boudreau has worked on multiple CNN documentaries, investigations and special reports, including “Killings at the Canal: The Army Tapes,” Biden: Revealed,” “Campus Rage,” “Fall of the Fat Cats,” and “Death and Taxes: Joe Stack’s Attack On The IRS.”

The “Killings At The Canal” documentary was the entry for this year’s Livingston Award. It aired both on CNN and CNN International and generated thousands of responses from viewers around the world.

She was also a finalist for the Livingston Award in 2008. Before joining CNN, Boudreau worked as an investigative reporter at KNXV-TV, the ABC affiliate in Phoenix.

In 2005, Boudreau was the first journalist to expose a possible design flaw in tires produced by Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., the nation’s fourth-largest tire manufacturer. A year later, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a defect investigation into one line of Cooper’s tires. In 2007, Cooper Tire recalled thousands of its tires after NHTSA found they were susceptible to tread separation. Boudreau has received numerous awards for her work, including regional Edward R. Murrow awards for investigative reporting in 2006 and 2007. She also received seven regional Emmy Awards for investigative reporting and writing and enterprise journalism, and two national Emmy Award nominations for investigative reporting. She has been honored with multiple Arizona AP Broadcasters Association Awards for investigative news and enterprise news, the First Amendment Award through the Society of Professional Journalists and the Television Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Before joining KNXV-TV, Boudreau worked as an investigative reporter for WWMT, a CBS affiliate in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, Mich. She began her career at KWWL-TV, an NBC affiliate Waterloo, Iowa, as a one-man-band in Dubuque.
Boudreau received her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University in Chicago and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

We wish her well...

(HT to CNN Observations, who broke the story.)

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This Weekend's Programming

SATURDAY, November 6, 2010


SANJAY GUPTA, MD – Airs Saturday 7:30AM – 8:00AM

CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks into new study says that alcohol is worse than cocaine, heroine and LSD – and though this week, California did not pass recreational use of marijuana, Colorado is considering proposals. Dr. Gupta discusses how these types of drugs affect your brain. Plus, genetic testing that can predict the development of diseases like Alzheimer’s, that don’t yet have effective treatments.

THE SITUATION ROOM WITH WOLF BLITZER – Airs Saturday 6:00PM – 7:00PM

Topic: Recent Terror Plots; Midterm Elections; President Obama
Guest: Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York

Topic: Rise and Fall of the DNC; Future of the Democratic Party
Guest: Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Topic: Tea Party Movement; Fiscal Responsibility
Guest: Rand Paul, Senator-elect from Kentucky

Topic: Midterm Elections; Health Care
Guest: Michael Steele, RNC chairman

Topic: President Obama; Democratic Party; Health Care
Guest: Bill Maher, host, HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher”

Anchor: Wolf Blitzer

EASY PREY – Airs Saturday 8:00PM – 9:00PM and 11:00PM

The “Green River Killer” in Seattle; the House of Horrors on Imperial Avenue in Cleveland; the Seven Bridges Road killer in Rocky Mount, NC – CNN’s Abbie Boudreau investigates why so many serial killers are able to get away with their crimes, victimizing mostly women. One year ago, convicted sex offender Anthony Sowell, was apprehended for the Cleveland serial killings – but only after 11 women lost their lives. Featured interviews include Gladys Wade, who in December 2008, escaped Sowell’s deadly grasp.

FALLEN STAR: THE CHARLIE SHEEN STORY – Airs Saturday 10:00PM – 10:30PM

Actor Charlie Sheen is one of the highest paid players on TV, but his recent off-screen woes have made headlines as much as his on-screen successes. Yet Sheen’s career has seemed bullet proof, until...a trashed suite at Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel, a fearful porn star trapped in a closet, allegations of alcohol abuse…CNN’s Amber Lyon reports on the latest incident. Has America finally had enough of one of its favorite bad boys?

WHAT THE WEEK –Airs Saturday 10:30PM – 11:00PM

Pete Dominick distills a week’s worth of news into a smart and fun wrap of everything you need to know. Guest: Tommy Chong.


SUNDAY, November 7, 2010

SANJAY GUPTA, MD – Airs Sunday 7:30AM – 8:00AM

CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks into new study says that alcohol is worse than cocaine, heroine and LSD – and though this week, California did not pass recreational use of marijuana, Colorado is considering proposals. Dr. Gupta discusses how these types of drugs affect your brain. Plus, genetic testing that can predict the development of diseases like Alzheimer’s, that don’t yet have effective treatments.

STATE OF THE UNION WITH CANDY CROWLEY – Airs LIVE Sunday 9:00AM – 10:00AM, NOON – 1:00PM

Topic: Governor’s Perspective on Washington; Future of the GOP
Guest: Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
Guest: Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

Topic: The Way Forward in the House for Democrats; House Leadership
Guest: Rep. Chris Van Hollen, (D-MD)
Topic: The Way Forward in the Senate for Republicans
Guest: Senator-elect Pat Toomey, (R-PA)

Topic: Midterm Breakdown: What’s Next for Washington
Guest: Karen Tumulty, The Washington Post
Guest: Michael Duffy, Time Magazine

Anchor: Candy Crowley, anchor and chief political correspondent

FAREED ZAKARIA GPS – Airs Sunday 10:00AM – 11:00AM and 1:00PM – 2:00PM

Topic: Dueling economists debate solutions to the economic crisis – and what is legislatively passable under a politically divided government
Guest: Paul Krugman, columnist, The New York Times and Professor of Economics & International Affairs, Princeton University; Nobel laureate in economics
Guest: Raghuram Rajan, Professor of Finance, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago

Topic: Is Yemen the Next Afghanistan?
Guest: Robert Worth, Middle East correspondent, The New York Times

Topic: Living in peace and relatively terror-free – Muslim-majority Malaysia’s example
Guest: Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia

Anchor: Fareed Zakaria

RELIABLE SOURCES – Airs LIVE 11:00AM – NOON

Topic: Media on the Midterms
Guest: Alex Wagner, Politics Daily
Guest: Frank Sesno, The George Washington University
Guest: Peter Baker, New York Times

Topic: Election Coverage of 2010 versus 2008
Guest: Matt Lewis, Politics Daily
Guest: Joan Walsh, Salon.com

Topic: Cable News Targeted at the “Rally to Restore Sanity/Fear”
Guest: David Carr, New York Times
Guest: Rachel Sklar, Mediaite.com

Host: Howard Kurtz

EASY PREY – Airs Sunday 2:00AM – 3:00AM, 8:00PM and 11:00PM

The “Green River Killer” in Seattle; the House of Horrors on Imperial Avenue in Cleveland; the Seven Bridges Road killer in Rocky Mount, NC – CNN’s Abbie Boudreau investigates why so many serial killers are able to get away with their crimes, victimizing mostly women. One year ago, convicted sex offender Anthony Sowell, was apprehended for the Cleveland serial killings – but only after 11 women lost their lives. Featured interviews include Gladys Wade, who in December 2008, escaped Sowell’s deadly grasp.

FALLEN STAR: THE CHARLIE SHEEN STORY – Airs Sunday 10:30PM – 11:00PM

Actor Charlie Sheen is one of the highest paid players on TV, but his recent off-screen woes have made headlines as much as his on-screen successes. Yet Sheen’s career has seemed bullet proof, until...a trashed suite at Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel, a fearful porn star trapped in a closet, allegations of alcohol abuse…CNN’s Amber Lyon reports on the latest incident. Has America finally had enough of one of its favorite bad boys?

All content, unless otherwise cited, is © All Things CNN and may not be used without consent of the blog administrator.

ratings For The Week Of October 25th

1 - Based on four nights of regular programming.

Rating calculations are weekly averages based on nightly ratings provided by TVNewser with data by Nielsen Media Research. Numbers reflect Live and same day (DVR) data.

Here's a few extras we were sent on yesterday and this past month's ratings:

According to Nielsen Media Research Fast National data, CNN’s “Election Night in America” coverage outperformed MSNBC during every daypart yesterday:

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM (PRIME TIME)

TOTAL VIEWERS DEMO 25-54

CNN: 2.423 million 1.030m

MSNBC: 1.945 million 669k

FNC: 6.957 million 2.431m

7:00 PM – 1:00 AM DAYPART

TOTAL VIEWERS DEMO 25-54

CNN: 2.081 million 917k

MSNBC: 1.698 million 638k

FNC: 6.078 million 2.184m

7:00 – 3:00 AM DAYPART

TOTAL VIEWERS DEMO 25-54

CNN: 1.745 million 778k

MSNBC: 1.495 million 584k

FNC: 5.051 million 1.860m

6:00 AM – 3:00 AM (TOTAL DAY, PER NIELSEN)

TOTAL VIEWERS DEMO 25-54

CNN: 980k 382k

MSNBC: 838k 299k

FNC: 3.021million 966k

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

TOTAL VIEWERS DEMO 25-54

CNN: 945k 283k

MSNBC: 869k 256k

FNC: 3.092 million 750k

CNN DIGITAL:

CNN.com Domestic Election Day 2010 Performance Summary (Source: Omniture)

• With nearly 80 million page views on Election Day, CNN.comexperienced the highest traffic day of the year, and was up 61% over the prior 4-week average.
• CNN.com attracted 11.2 million unique visitors to the site, up 26% over the prior 4-week average and up 10% over the 2006 Midterm Elections day with more than
• Live video plays on the site were also up dramatically over the prior 4-week average with nearly a quarter million views, a 400% plus gain.
• CNN’s Politics Section was up nearly 100% over the prior 4-week average with more than 25 million page views.
• CNN’s politics blog (The Political Ticker) was up 62% over the prior 4-week average with more than 2 million views

CNN Mobile Domestic Election Day 2010 Performance Summary (Source: Bango)

• CNN Mobile proved valuable to millions of consumers seeking politics information on Election Day 2010, with more than 2.2 million unique visitors, a 30% increase over the prior 4-week average.
• Mobile web page views on Tuesday were also up 42% over the 4-week average with 7.3 million

100 MILLION PEOPLE VIEWED CNN IN OCTOBER

REACHING APPROXIMATELY 15 MILLION MORE THAN FNC AND MSNBC

CNN’S ANDERSON COOPER GROWS 9% COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO, WHILE FNC DECLINES AT 10 PM AMONG 25-54;

CNN, FNC AND MSNBC EXPERIENCE SIMILAR DECLINES AT 8:00 PM IN OCTOBER

HLN’S ROBIN MEADE BEATS MSNBC’S MORNING JOE FOR 19^thCONSECUTIVE MONTH

CNN DIGITAL NO. 1 IN ONLINE AND MOBILE NEWS

CNN:

CNN reached more than 100.1 million viewers in October, while FNC had 85.5 million, HLN had 85.2 million and MSNBC trailed with 83.7 million viewers. This represents CNN’s best cumulative advantage over FNC since July 2009 and the network’s best showing over MSNBC since April 2010.

For the month of October, CNN’s AC 360 at 10pm grew +9% compared to a year ago (October 2009), while FNC’s On the Record is down -6% and MSNBC’SLast Word/Friday docs are up +11% among adults 25-54.

During the month, CNN, FNC, and MSNBC saw similar declines at 8:00 pm vs. a year ago with FNC’s O’Reilly Factor dropping -11%, CNN’s Parker Spitzer off -10% and MSNBC’s Countdown down -8% in the key demo adults 25-54.

In October, CNN topped MSNBC during the daytime (9am-5pm) in both total viewers and the key demo 25-54 and in total day (6am-6am) among total viewers. In head-to-head comparisons with MSNBC’s daytime non-opinion programming – CNN had a 18% advantage among total viewers (492k vs. 280k) and a 63% lead among adults 25-54 (132k vs. 81k). MSNBC placed fourth every hour during the daytime in the demo 25-54, except at 3pm and 4pm where they placed third behind CNN Newsroom. While all cable news networks were down during the daytime versus year-ago, declines were more pronounced on FNC and MSNBC, with FNC down -10%, MSNBC dropping -12%, and CNN off the least at -6%. In total day among total viewers, CNN had 410k vs. MSNBC’s 409k.

At 5pm, CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer topped MSNBC’s Hardball in both total viewers (603k vs. 578k) and in the key demo (150k vs. 142k) during the month.

CNN’s Black In America: Almighty Debt, reported by CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien, had a cumulative reach of 13.8 million total viewers and 5.8 million in the key demo adults 25-54 during the month of October.

HLN:

In October, Morning Express with Robin Meade continues to dominate MSNBC’sMorning Joe among 25-54 viewers, with an advantage of 34% (175k vs. 131k). This is the 19^th consecutive month that Morning Express with Robin Meade has topped Morning Joe among 25-54 viewers.

In daytime, 9a-5p (M-F) HLN has a 14% advantage over MSNBC among 25-54 viewers for the month of October (92k vs. 81k). This is the 13^th consecutive month that HLN has beaten MSNBC among 25-54 viewers from 9a to 5p (M-F).

CNN DIGITAL:

In September (most recent data), CNN Digital held its No. 1 position in total minutes, mobile and other key metrics, beating sites such as MSNBC Digital, Yahoo! News and Fox News Digital. (See below for detailed data and charts)

Traffic

CNN Digital held its No. 1 position among ALL Global News and Current Event sites in several key metrics, beating sites such as MSNBC Digital, Yahoo! News and Fox News Digital.

• No. 1 in Total Usage Minutes: 658 million minutes, 140 million more than No. 2 Yahoo! News and 152 million more than No. 3 MSNBC Digital.

• No. 1 in Page Views: 982 million page views, 50% ahead of No. 2 Yahoo! News and 60% more than No. 3 MSNBC Digital. (Source: Nielsen Online Netview, Sept. 2010).

No. 1 in Audience among all TV News Sites: When compared to its TV News competition, CNN Digital topped them all in terms of unique audience. With 31.2 million unique visitors in September, CNN Digital’s audience was 9% larger than MSNBC Digital (28.6 million); 127% larger than Fox News Digital (13.8 million); 130% larger than ABC News Digital (13.5 million) and 245% larger than CBS News Digital (9 million). (Source: Nielsen Online Netview, Sept. 2010)

Mobile

CNN Digital is No. 1 in Mobile in News and Current Events for the 45^thconsecutive month.

With 13.7 million unique visitors to its mobile site in August, CNN Digital beat the nearest competitor, Fox News Digital, by 50%. (Source: Nielsen Mobile MediaView – August 2010)

All content, unless otherwise cited, is © All Things CNNand may not be used without consent of the blog administrator.

Another One Bites the Dust?

We didn't think this was worth its own post but apparently others do because our inbox is filling up with tips so here ya go:

From today's Page Six of the New York Post

CNN anchor Kyra Phillips' pregnancy with John Roberts could bring big changes at "American Morning," insiders say. Roberts, who broadcasts from New York, is likely to move to Atlanta to be with his fiancée, who's expecting twins. Since CNN ex-president Jon Klein recently rebuilt the prime-time lineup, insiders say his replacement, Ken Jautz, will focus on daytime, and his first step will be to dismantle "American Morning," the lowest-rated cable morning show. We hear the staff is frustrated with co-anchors Roberts and Kiran Chetry. "John is a tyrant, freaking out over stories and guests, and Kiran is dumb as a rock," a staffer said. "He has a chip on his shoulder because he was considered the heir apparent to Dan Rather at CBS." During an interview with David Axelrod last month, Roberts snapped at Chetry on-air for typing too loud. Chetry could be the first go. A CNN rep said, "There are no plans in place to change 'American Morning' at this time."

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Jonathan Wald Named Executive Producer of CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight

Jonathan Wald, former executive producer of NBC's Today and Nightly News, and former senior vice president of CNBC, has been named executive producer of CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight debuting in January 2011, it was announced today by CNN executive vice president Ken Jautz. Wald's appointment is effective immediately.
Most recently Wald has been an advisor to AOL on cross-platform programming initiatives. From 2006-2009, Wald served as senior vice president of CNBC, responsible for all business news programming. During a period of unprecedented financial and economic crisis, CNBC expanded business coverage into primetime and weekends, resulting in the highest ratings and revenue in the network’s history. Wald was also responsible for multimedia development and the use of business news on cnbc.com as well as marketing and promotion of that content on all platforms.

Read the full press release after the jump.

Read more »