Cable News Ratings for Monday, February 4, 2013

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1. AppleStinx

   Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:15 PM

   ‘Ed Show’ lost again to both ‘AC360′ at 8pm and ‘Outfront’ at 11pm.

2. Ratboy

   Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:18 PM

   The heck with the ratings! This is better news for all the folks!! Just more proof of how well the Obamacare plan was thought out by all them really really smart Democrats!! Like Nacy Pelosi said, We can read it later!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!

   Seven million will lose insurance under Obama health law

   President Obama’s health care law will push 7 million people out of their job-based insurance coverage — nearly twice the previous estimate, according to the latest estimates from the Congressional Budget Office released Tuesday.

   CBO said that this year’s tax cuts have changed the incentives for businesses and made it less attractive to pay for insurance, meaning fewer will decide to do so. Instead, they’ll choose to pay a penalty to the government, totaling $13 billion in higher fees over the next decade.

   But the non-partisan agency also expects fewer people to have to pay individual penalties to the IRS than it earlier projects, because of a better method for calculating incomes that found more people will be exempt.

   Overall, the new health provisions are expected to cost the government $1.165 trillion over the next decade — the same as last year’s projection.

   With other spending cuts and tax increases called for in the health law, though, CBO still says Mr. Obama’s signature achievement will reduce budget deficits in the short term.

   During the health care debate Mr. Obama had said individuals would be able to keep their plans.

3. Kendall

   Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:20 PM

   Recently, I decided to watch a week of FNC and MSNBC to get a better understanding of why left-wingers despise FNC and why right-wingers feel the same way about MSNBC. As some of you already know, I’m a moderate/ independent who doesn’t watch much cable news (except for CNN…especially when big stuff happens). I channel surf FNC and MSNBC on occasion. But, I don’t watch enough of either to be able to agree or disagree with the (admittedly colorful and entertaining) comments posted on this site.

   Having a little extra time on my hands, I got started a couple weeks ago with a critique of FNC. Last week, I took a look at MSNBC. I choose the following shows: MORNING JOE, MARTIN BASHIR, HARD BALL, POLITICS NATION, THE ED SHOW, THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW, and THE LAST WORD with LAWRENCE O’DONNELL.

4. Kendall

   Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:20 PM

   MORNING JOE: An interesting show…I like it. The hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski (I had to look them up) are obviously on opposite sides of the political spectrum. But, they work well together and really seem like they like each other. Also, they book guests who have credibility and stature…a major plus. I can see that they want to be taken seriously…like CBS THIS MORNING (my current morning show). I can’t stand fluff like THE TODAY SHOW, GOOD MORNING AMERICA and, worst of all, FOX AND FRIENDS. If CBS falters, I will switch to MORNING JOE.

   MARTIN BASHIR: This is an extremely partisan show!!! MB doesn’t even make an attempt to hide it. Almost all of his guests are partisans, too. Also, a great deal of the show is dedicated to rebutting commentary from FNC and Rush Limbaugh. It’s quite amazing. The best thing about MB is his sarcastic sense of humor; he can deliver the zingers. I can see why libs like this show and why cons probably hate it. It’s a rabble-rouser, and definitely NOT my cup of tea.

5. Kendall

   Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:21 PM

   HARD BALL: Chris Matthews is a humorous fellow. Just like MB, he uses sarcasm to attack Republicans. And, he is very selective when choosing stories to focus on. That’s something MSNBC and FNC have in common. I don’t like the way he constantly interrupts his guests. And, what’s with his speech pattern? It sounds like he spits when he talks. His summaries at the end of his show (like MB) neatly brings things together in case you tuned in late…that’s smart.

   POLITICS NATION: Sharpton is just as bombastic as he always was. But, it seems that his causes have widened. I remember when he only talked about racism and injustice (with respect to Blacks). Now, he’s advocating for illegal/undocumented immigrants, gay rights and womens’ reproductive rights. I supposed that’s to be expected if you work at a liberal/progressive network. But, the change is nonetheless jarring. PN is more like MB than HB. Sharton doesn’t miss a change to hammer Republicans. (I can’t get over how often he runs FNC clips to be mocked and/or criticized). Lastly, he has trouble with the letter “t”. He says, “dat” instead of “that”, “da” instead of “the”, and (my favorite) “dere” instead of “there” or “their”. He makes a lot more money now…you’d think he’d hire a speech coach.

6. Kendall

   Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:26 PM

   Umm…well MSNBC is pretty much what everyone makes it out to be: an unabashedly liberal/progressive network…a reaction to FNC, I think. Also, in my opinion, MSNBC is slightly harder on Republicans/Conservatives than FNC is on Democrats/Progressives. I disagree with those who think MSNBC won’t last. I think it’s on it’s way up. How high can it go…I don’t know. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. As for me…thanks, but no thanks…I’ll stick to network news.

   PS: FNC vs MSNBC has the makings of becoming the next Coke vs Pepsi, Microsoft vs Apple, or 49ers vs Packers.

7. Kendall

   Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:28 PM

   I’m having trouble posting these shows. We’ll see if it works this time.

   THE ED SHOW: Jeez Crise!! This man needs to f—ing chill!!! His entire show is a madcap tirade. I don’t think he is any less outraged at the things (in his mind) Republicans are doing than the other shows. But, while the others (MB, HB, and even PN) use sarcasm, Ed simply yells. It’s too much, I think…off-putting. The Ed Show is the O’Reilly Factor without the charm and subterfuge.

   THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW: Excellent show!!! She really seems like she knows what she’s talking about. And, she gives a complete portrait of an issue. She’s clearly partisan. But, I never got the feeling she was trying to spin me. The best thing about her: she appears to really enjoy her job. It makes me enjoy watching her. She’s a bit too forceful and hyper for network news, and bit too thoughtful for cable news. I think she would be right at home on PBS. I will definitely continue to watch her show.

   THE LAST WORD: This show must be MSNBC’s answer to Glenn Beck. (I checked out GB when it was still running because of all the controversy surrounding it. But, I was not a regular viewer, and therefore do not claim to be an expert). I say that it reminds me of GB because of its semi-casual format and its lengthy monologues. Also, like Maddow, O’Donnell seems to enjoy doing his show (by extension: he enjoys bashing Republicans). His “Re-write” segments are pretty hard-hitting. And, he lays the sarcasm on pretty heavy.

8. Ralph Hahn

   Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:34 PM

   CNN beat Chris Matthews on MSNBC at 5pm. In the DEMO! OUCH! That’s gotta hurt.

   FOX RULES the 25-54 demo in every time slot except for 9p & 10p where it comes in a very close second. Fox News is welcomed into more homes than a lot of other networks put together. Because, FNC is “Fair, Balanced and Unafraid.”

9. Bobbyv

   Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:35 PM

   Kendall,

   I am curious, I know Bill O has differing opinions and Hannity does too. Not sure about Greta. Do the MSNBC people? I know people likened Olbermann to BO but he never had other opinions. I am curious if Ed, Lawrence, Rachel do.

10. Ralph Hahn

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:41 PM

    MSNBC is the best! FNC will continue its slow downward spiral.

11. Sam

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 2:55 PM

    Not bad for CNN.

    Hannity the conman is dropping like a rock, even Piers is closing down on him.

12. Kendall

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    @Bobbyv

    That’s a good question. Umm…one week does not make me an expert. But, I would say that there is not much difference between them. Some, though.

    The younger crop: Rachel Maddow, Melissa Harris-Perry, Chris Hayes, Alex Wagner, Krystal Ball, Steven Kornacki, Ezra Klein, Toure, etc., are all on the same page, from what I could gather. They are more likely to call themselves “progressive” than “liberal”. And, they are the reason why I don’t think MSNBC is going to decline anytime soon. Though, I could be wrong. lol

    They differ from the older group: Chris Matthews, Ed Shultz, Al Sharpton, Lawrence O’ Donnell, etc., in ways that are slight and hard to define. It seems to me that they are much harsher on Repubs than the younger group. I would need to watch them all interact a lot longer to really nail it down.

    But, yes, there is a little bit of difference, but much less than the FNC crowd. But, like I said earlier, MSNBC feels like an allergic reaction to FNC. They all target FNC mercilessly. The opposite was much less true. I would say 75% to 25% MSNBC attacking FNC.

13. Mark2

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    Rachel is on FIRE!!!

    Rachel and Lawrence both win the key demo.

    Rachel destroyed Hannity.

14. betty

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    Att. Kendull…..without FOX there would be no MsNBC… B E C A U S E….
    FOX is ALL they ever talk about! MsNBC= Wall-to-Wall FOX. LOL LOL LOL.

15. Mark2

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 3:14 PM

    @Ralph “FOX RULES the 25-54 demo in every time slot except for 9p & 10p ”

    Duh, those are 2 of the 3 Primetime slots.

    In other words, MSNBC won 2 of the 3 Primetime slots.

16. Letmethink

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    Well, I heard a new word today and it totally describes how I feel about politics now–exhaustipated—too tired to give a sh*&%(t.
    Finally an honest democrat politician. Keith Ellison said that for Nicholson to pay 64% of his income to the government is fair—sick but at least he has the honesty to say it—the others will never give a number.

17. betty

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    All you CRAZIES living in Dreamland evidently don’t look at the Ratings
    (hurts so bad?) Dreaming not gonna make it so! FOX is NUMBER UNO…for 12
    Years and FOX Destroys all the Wannabe’s the Neverwas’s and Never-will-be’s!
    Repeat….Dreaming not gonna make it happen, but hey,if it makes you feel a
    little bit better……….

18. Kendall

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 3:20 PM

    @Betty

    “Kendull”? Really?

    You sound like a sports fanatic. Relax, it’s not that serious.

19. Bobbyv

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 3:28 PM

    Thanks Kendall. One reason I like BO is that he at least presents the other side. In fact he seeks out the other side to debate. He obviously has his point of view and his biases but you know that going in

20. Mark2

    Posted February 5, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    Reality Check…

    Evening News numbers:

    NBC News w/Brian Williams = 9,340,000

    ABC News w/Diane Sawyer = 8,668,000

    CBS News w/Scott Pelley = 6,990,000