MSNBC Cable May Be Going All Taped Programming-Attn KO Fans

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6374608.html&referral=supp

There has been speculation for months about MSNBC’s future as a 24-hour cable news channel—or, maybe more to the point, its lack thereof. But one indication may have come last July, when the 10-year-old network launched a newsmagazine, MSNBC Investigates. From what I’ve heard coming out of 30 Rock lately, that may be a sign of things to come.

Word is that the perennial also-ran in cable news is considering the possibility of virtually dropping out of the live-news business and devoting itself entirely to taped, newsmagazine-style programming —much of it likely repurposed from NBC News. In other words, “The Dateline: NBC Channel.”

That’s just one option under consideration. But that such a drastic idea is even on the table speaks volumes about the state of the cable news business.

If such a modification occurs, it would certainly mean changes for MSNBC’s business-news sibling, CNBC. One scenario has successful MSNBC personalities Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann moving their respective acts to CNBC in the hopes of turbo-charging its ratings-challenged primetime. In this case, NBC News still would have both channels at its disposal should it want to go live 24/7 in the event of a terrorist attack or a major natural disaster.

Whether NBC News will choose such a dramatic course of action is a subject of debate in the industry. Naysayers argue that the challenge of transforming MSNBC into a newsmag channel doesn’t make sense from either a production or an economic standpoint. Indeed, the cost of such a transformation would fly in the face of NBC’s efforts to wring tens of millions of dollars in cuts out of the news division.

<snip>

The unspoken truth in all of this speculation is that there are simply too many all-news networks and only so many people to watch them. No. 1 Fox News has seen its year-to-date ratings in primetime fall 29%—and that’s not because any of its cable-news competition has stolen away a huge share. CNN’s primetime ratings are down by 23%, while MSNBC is basically flat.

One problem is their damn taped prison and crime shows actually get better ratings than the live programming for Hardball, Countdown, and Scarborough. Damn I hate those Nielsen families. They must pick morans to be Nielsen families.

[KoKo]

1. If all the cable viewer numbers are down...it would seem that folks don't

like what they are viewing on CNN & Faux. If MSNBC is flatlined then it would say that they could go after the audience that wants true "Fair & Balanced" news and political discussion shows.

It would be bold if MSNBC would go that direction. However being owned by GE they might just decide to be the Smut and Crime Channel combining it with the "Crooked Wall Stree Channel" CNBC which is dominated by Kudlowites and Crazie kids.

Would be better if they would "SELL IT OFF" to a LIBERAL investor...But, that's not going to happen.

Interesting that CNBC is in trouble. Guess folks aren't buying this Wonderful Bush economy anymore. The article sort of touches on issues but doesn't explain why viewership is down for Cable News. :shrug:

[PVnRT]

2. That's the real question

Why has viewership gone down?

I wouldn't put it all on the internet, as it is my guess that most people still watch TV news rather than reading it online. If Faux is down as well, it could mean that the public is just getting sick of the news media overall. Newspaper readership would be an interesting number to add into this analysis.

[KoKo]

6. Good Points...Is Public SICK OF SPIN...or do they just want Fluff and

Crime? Is everyone over at "HDTV" concentrating on their House Improvements? Or, watching ReRun's of "Situation Comedies."

Why are the Cable Channels suffering such a huge DECLINE in VIEWERS? Why?

:shrug:

[Hissyspit]

3. kick

[DefenseLawyer]

4. I think the 24 hour "Debra Lafave Channel"

has probably been discussed as well.

[SoCalDem]

5. Or MSBCGM

MS-blonde chicks gone missing channel :evilgrin: