Loose Dirt: Trivia, Quotes and Marginalia


Death & the Ratings Game

How do you improve ratings for cable news outlets? Some might say by promoting clever, creative programming or perhaps by showcasing fact-filled, insightful, informative investigative reporting. The most enlightened, savvy media mavens know the real answer: cover tragedy and death. Entertainment Weekly reported in its August 6 issue (the LA Times reported similar findings the week before) that "wall-to-wall coverage of the Kennedy-Bessette crash caused a spike in the ratings for the three cable info networks." As it turns out, MSNBC and Fox News Channel both had their most-watched days ever on July 18, topping their reportage of Princess Diana's death and the Columbine High School shootings, and CNN drew more than FIVE TIMES its usual July audience!

 

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