Outfoxed: Film Aims To "Expose" FOX; House Parties Set For 7/18
Well, the month of July only started five minutes ago, but here's a prediction: You'll be hearing about the documentary Outfoxed on this blog quite a bit in the next thirty-one days.
The film's full title is "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism." Here's the description: "Outfoxed" examines how media empires, led by Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, have been running a "race to the bottom" in television news. This film provides an in-depth look at Fox News and the dangers of ever-enlarging corporations taking control of the public's right to know. The film explores Murdoch's burgeoning kingdom and the impact on society when a broad swath of media is controlled by one person."
The film's web site is Outfoxed.org. MoveOn is hosting house parties on July 18th, featuring a conference call with Al Franken and Robert Greenwald. The FReepers are already talking about it. It was mentioned on this message board two weeks ago... 12:05:39 AM

Ratings: Cable Nets Are Winners In June, Except For CNBC
Media Life Mag calls the news channels one of June's ratings winners. Excerpting: "In a month heavy with tributes to the late Ronald Reagan, all three major news channels saw growth compared with last June. Fox had the biggest audiences – up 6 percent in primetime to rank eighth on basic cable among total viewers and put two Reagan specials in the month’s top programs – but MSNBC had the greatest growth, 45 percent among total viewers in primetime. That’s easier when you’re a distant third behind CNN." But CNBC is a loser, the site says: "...The network was still down 27 percent in total-day viewership. But primetime viewership was off only 5 percent." 12:04:36 AM

Ratings: Cynopsis's Crunching Of The Numbers
Cynopsis summarizes the cable news net June ratings, comparing their #'s to this time last year: "In primetime among Total Viewers: MSNBC -41%, Fox News -34%, CNN -33%, Headline News -13%." And in total day, among total viewers: "MSNBC -43%, CNN -41%, Fox News -37%, HLN -1%." She has a bunch of other stats, too... 12:03:46 AM

Media Notes: MSNBC's Mic Mix-Up; How Are 360's Ad Sales?
> The Daily Yomiuri: "Fox News soon to be history" in Japan
> Greta has behind-the-scenes photos from her Nellis AFB broadcast
> Keith Olbermann's microphone cut out toward the end of Countdown tonight. MSNBC tossed to a commercial. When they came back, Keith remarked that it was "either Anderson Cooper or Shepard Smith cutting off the microphones." (Thanks Andy)
> From the MSN group: "MSNBC just ran an ad promoting their being first with the news of the handover of power early Monday and then after that said: "When history is made, America is watching MSNBC." LOL! That might be the funniest thing all year. Since when is 125,000 viewers America?"
> "Despite AC360's lagging ratings, advertising on the show is completely sold out for the year, so no one is too worried at CNN NY," an anonymous tipster e-mails in. Can anyone confirm this? 12:02:54 AM

Vanden Heuvel: O'Reilly Is A "Cancerous Symptom" Of A Bigger Problem
Frequent cable news pundit Katrina Vanden Heuvel shares her impressions of Bill O'Reilly with L.A. City Beat: "Recently, O’Reilly threatened to shut off your microphone on The O’Reilly Factor," the interviewer points out. Her response: "Mr. O’Reilly, in sync with his good old-fashioned thuggish tactics, did threaten to do that. The worst part about O’Reilly is that he’s a symptom of the larger problem of our culture, which is the lack of a fair marketplace of ideas. Fortunately, we’ve seen a few good signs of fight in these last months. One’s the beginning of a democracy-in-media movement, which has made the FCC and Congress wake up. O’Reilly’s just an ugly, cancerous symptom of the larger problem – whether we’re leftists, progressives, liberals – we need to organize to fight for a level playing field. It’s just American fairness."
> Also: Media Matters: 'When confronted with past remarks that he is unable to defend, FOX News Channel host and radio host Bill O'Reilly appears to have developed a simple strategy: denial." 12:01:06 AM

Playgirl Poll Almost Over: Hannity, Olbermann, Cooper Lead
Tonight on Countdown, Keith showed a "campaign ad" of sorts promoting his entry in Playgirl's anchor poll. And check out Tuesday night's transcript:

"At the insistence of the members of the crack COUNTDOWN staff, I have been persuaded to remind you that Thursday is the last day of voting in the Playgirl.com survey to determine its readers‘ choice for the sexiest, most intelligent newscaster on network or cable news. There are 18 nominees. I, no doubt by dint of clerical error, am one of them. Here are the standings as of balloting this afternoon. Sean Hannity of Fox is running away in first place. Well, we know why that is. Alan Colmes keeps voting for him. Tied for second, why, look, I‘m hanging with Mr. Cooper. Shepard Smith is fourth. Bill Hemmer on CNN is fifth. Remember, ladies, he‘s older than he looks. Rounding out the top 10, Lauer, Andy Rooney, good God, Brian, Tom and Peter. Other notables. Lester Holt is 12th. Geraldo Rivera, having vacated last place and zoomed past Wolf Blitzer and Harry Smith into 16th. A lot of write-ins for Stone Phillips and Forrest Sawyer. First among the write-ins is our own Dan Abrams."

The voting concludes in a matter of hours... 10:24:13 PM

Scarborough's Stunt: Surveying Members Of Congress
Joe Scarborough is polling Congress to see if they agree with "Michael Moore's vision of America." Quoting Tuesday's show: "I challenge politicians of both parties to tell me whether they agree with Michael Moore‘s dark vision of America or whether they have the courage to reject it," Joe said Tuesday night. "I am going to be sending every politician on Capitol Hill, every congressman and every senator on Capitol Hill a questionnaire. And in that questionnaire, I am going to be asking, do you agree with Michael Moore‘s vision of America or not? I am going to send them to you. I am going to await your response. And then I am going to report it to the American people." We'll be awaiting the results, too. Here's the transcript... 10:19:37 PM

FOX Legal Analyst Finds Lawyer Love On Air
Awww: "They met on Fox News Channel 16 months ago while arguing about a case they don't even remember. Mickey Sherman, who repped Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel in the Martha Moxley murder trial, hit it off immediately with Lis Wiehl , the Harvard Law grad who is a legal analyst for the channel...The litigator called his honey 'bright, terrific and the nicest person in the world.'" Page Six has more... 10:19:13 PM

CNN Presents Final Arguments In Florida Lawsuit
Quoting The Daily Commercial in Florida: "In final arguments in a lawsuit against the state, CNN attorneys claim no meaningful inspection of a list of potential felons can be conducted unless a list is provided to media outlets. 'The media’s historic role as a watchdog over government, including the accuracy of elections, is frustrated by the inability to extract information from or copy that list,' the final argument from CNN reads"... 9:28:39 PM

FOX "Teases" A Revealing "Package"
This screen grab from FOX last night is causing a bit of a stir on the 'net. "They clearly blur the [breast] and apparently miss the big penis and penetration," this site, which originally posted the screen grab, says. Wonkette has a more X-rated reaction. Since the pic popped up on Fark.com earlier today, 48,525 people have clicked the link and 214 have commented about it -- so far. "Please take note that this image was part of a package about the Supreme Court's ruling on pornography and ALL graphic images were blurred or blocked out," a FOX representative tells CableNewser. The package -- no pun intended (well actually, yes, the pun is intended)-- aired on Your World yesterday. But apparently the "tease" for the show wasn't totally blurred...
> From the DCRTV Mailbag: "Fox apparently does not understand what a 'graphic' is in television. Should be interesting to see how the FCC handles this graphic expression..." 7:59:14 PM

Media Notes: Cheney Visits FOX HQ; Pat Buchanan's Next Book
> Vice President Dick Cheney dropped by FOX News's headquarters in NYC yesterday afternoon, a FReeper notices. He spent about 15 minutes touring the studios, the apparent FOX employee says.
> From an e-mailer: "CNN/US went to CNNI with Christiane Amanpour at just after 4:50am to break the transfer of Saddam to legal Iraqi custody... MSNBC, FNC still on primetime repeats."
> Gail Shister notes that Anderson Cooper beat Chris Matthews in June, and offers a 'reality check:' "Fox News Channel's Shepard Smith averaged 1.3 million viewers at 7 p.m. in June."
> Pat Buchanan's publisher is rushing the MSNBC commentator's next book to print, Editor & Publisher reports. It is called "How The Right Went Wrong"...
> Fired CNBC commentator and pro wrestler John Layfield defended himself on the Howard Stern show last week, the Athens Review says. He is engaged to FOX's Meredith Whitney...
3:37:00 PM

Mailbag, Part Two: Is FOX Vicious?
The e-mails reacting to Keith Olbermann's comment keep coming in. I have updated the Mailbag with more messages. Some highlights:
> "I think Mr. Olbermann should direct his energy to more useful tasks, such as trying to get more viewers to his program so the MSNBC publicity dept. can start issuing press releases for his ratings."
> "Fox just proved Keith right by coming back with, instead of facts, just insults and lies. They lied AGAIN about Keith and the Olympics."
> "I think the reason Keith is so crabby about Fox News is simple..he's jealous."
> "Thanks for telling it like it is Keith!"
> Mailbag, Part Two: Reactions to Keith Olbermann's Question 2:02:18 PM

Is Bill O'Reilly Being Fair & Balanced?
Howard Kurtz has a fascinating story about a confrontation between Bill O'Reilly and law professor David Cole. During the taping of the show, Bill played a "balanced sound bite" from the 9/11 commission hearings. Quoting the story: "...An aggravated O'Reilly stopped the taping...and killed the sound bite. And when Cole brought up the incident during his interview, he says, O'Reilly 'exploded,' called him an SOB and declared he would never be invited back." Bill says he was "trying to be fair," and it was a minor staff mistake. More... 2:01:33 PM

McEnroe: Appropriate For CNBC? (And What About The Promos?)
I've received two interesting e-mails recently about John McEnroe's CNBC premiere next week:
> "CNBC is committing suicide if it thinks a long washed up tennis hack will cut it with the evening cable news audience. How pathetic - what...wasn't Burt Reynolds or Joey Heatherton available? CNBC is missing the brutally obvious - given their core daytime business audience, they ought to swing right and play second fiddle to Fox (as MSNBC does to CNN)...If CNBC swung right I bet it could beat MSNBC - NBC probably knows this too and that's why it keeps forcing the gun back into CNBC's mouth."
> "A few days ago during NBC Nightly News' commercial break a promo for John MdEnroe's CNBC show ran. You can hear McEnroe grunting as tennis balls fly across the screen and hit Kudlow and Cramer. Another ball knocks Maria Bartiromo's coffee mug of her anchor desk. In the last scene a technical employee is seen wearing a headset, roll McEnroe grunt, sound of tennis ball being served, and BAM it nails the tech guy in the balls. He lets out a high pitched scream. Was this appropriate for Tom Brokaw's show? This was the last spot of the break and Brokaw came on screen immediately after the screetch." 1:58:08 PM

Is FOX Vicious? Readers Answer And A Staffer Replies
Yesterday Keith Olbermann asked: "Why...is FNC so consistently and relentlessly vicious, arrogant, and, above everything else, personal about their public comments?" This morning, a FOX News staffer writes in to respond: "We find it amusing that our releases disturb a bully who has terrorized PA's, interns, and low level assistants at three different networks, but since it's well known that Keith has the thinnest skin in the business, it's not a surprise. However, we do find it admirable that he felt compelled to defend his company's honor, even after being unceremoniously dumped from their Olympic coverage...we wish Keith well." But that doesn't answer the question. This mixed bag of e-mailers tries to:
> Mailbag: Reactions to Keith Olbermann's Question 10:16:19 AM

! Cable News Needs An Ombudsman
All Your TV's Rick Ellis suggests that the cable news networks need an ombudsman. "How does a news channel say they've made a mistake?," he asks. "One way is to bring in an ombudsman. A person whose job it is to respond to the concerns of the viewers, to correct the mistakes and tally the problems." He says the person should have a regular, on-air role; be supported by the management; not forget what's right about the channel; and have a presence online. "So the big question is....which network jumps on this idea first?," he concludes... 9:32:58 AM

Airing FOX In CNN's Green Room? Not So Fast, Bill...
Bill McCuddy's Foxlight report from earlier this week:

"Funnyman Jon Stewart gave a nice plug to FOX News the other night. And not on his show -- on CNN! D'oh! Yukking it up with Larry King, he mentioned he was watching Neil Cavuto just before he went on Larry's show. Nice to know they have FOX News on in the CNN green room. Hey, they have to get the real news somewhere."

Actually, Paula Zahn aired a snippet from Cavuto's interview that night. And from the looks of Larry's transcript, Stewart took a shot at FOX:

STEWART: You know, it's so interesting, I was watching the show right before yours where Cheney was on Neil Cavuto's show. KING: He was on that show today, yes. STEWART: Yes, he was on that show today. By the way -- have you watched it[?] Very friendly balance. They report and then you are at your leisure to decide. KING: To decide. STEWART: Because it's fair and balanced.

9:26:16 AM

Dems, Repubs Try To Make Conventions "Attractive" To TV Nets
"TV to snub conventions," The Hill reports: "Party angst as networks plan to scale back coverage in Boston and New York." Quoting Peggy Wilhide, the communications director for the Dems convention: “We are gathering information, talking to the networks. The final decisions rest with them as to how much they will cover. We’re trying to make it as attractive as possible." (Via Lost Remote) 9:25:17 AM

Ratings: Olbermann Calls FOX The "Worst Winners TV's Ever Seen"
Only on CableNewser: MSNBC's Keith Olbermann writes in with a question about FOX:
    "Here's a question...about the latest ratings. Why, when there is no debating their numerical predominance, is FNC so consistently and relentlessly vicious, arrogant, and, above everything else, personal about their public comments?"
    "When the 11 PM SportsCenter had something like 75% of the cable sports news audience, we never crowed about it. I mean, I don't even have the exact number written down anywhere, and I have an ego the size of the L.A. Coliseum. We just enjoyed it and our masters charged more money for commercials and that was an end to it. We certainly didn't -- as John LeCarre once wonderfully wrote -- erase the rationale for taking your opponent on by making him look foolish or unworthy."
    "It underscores the fact that the left/right with FNC thing has long since passed into comparative irrelevance in this mini-industry. Fox News is hated because they're elitists -- and the worst winners television's ever seen." 8:19:55 PM

MSNBC Anchor Christy Musumeci's Contract Not Renewed
Christy Musumeci's days anchoring MSNBC's primetime news updates are numbered. Her contract was not renewed, NewsBlues reports. Musumeci anchored news updates on Imus in the Morning before moving over to the evening position in August 2002. "She seems ripe for FOX," one reader commented today, referring to the frequent pattern of MSNBC talent moving to Sixth Ave... 7:42:32 PM

Bob Novak Won't Eat A Shoe
Quoting this afternoon's Crossfire transcript:

PAUL BEGALA: It's been about a year since my pal Tucker Carlson ate his shoe after promising to do so if Hillary Rodham Clinton sold one million copies of her book "Living History." Of course, because Senator Clinton was gracious and generous, Tucker actually got to eat cake instead of shoe leather. Now former President Bill Clinton's book "My Life" is already about to pass the one million mark, even though it's only been a few days, been on sale less than a week. And that puts my pal Bob Novak on the spot. Bob, what will you do? BOB NOVAK: Paul, if he sells a million copies, I promise to give him a signed copy of my memoirs when they come out. (APPLAUSE) NOVAK: I promise that, even though they're half -- even though they're half the size, they're twice as good. (LAUGHTER) BEGALA: I can't wait for yours. I can't wait for that.

7:41:14 PM

Ratings: Q2: Cable Show Averages
The top of the Q2 chart looks identical to the top of the Q1 chart: O'Reilly with a 1.9, H&C; with a 1.4. Shep held at 3rd place during the second quarter, and inched up to a 1.3. In fact, it's all basically identical, as you can see for yourself:
  > Word document: 2nd Quarter 2004 cable show averages (Q1) 3:07:21 PM

Ratings: Q2: # Of Viewers Cut In Half Since War-Boosted 2003
Compared to the 2nd quarter of 2003 -- when the War in Iraq boosted ratings across the board -- all the cable nets are down. But MSNBC appears to have lost more viewers than FOX or CNN. MSNBC and CNBC's total day households have declined 50%, compared to 38% for FOX and CNN. FOX has lost 45% of its total day viewers in the 25-54 demo, while CNN has lost 54% and MSNBC has lost 56%.
  > Word document: Comparing the 2nd quarters of 2003 and 2004 (Q1) 2:58:49 PM

Ratings: CNN Promotes Viewership Increases In Primetime
"CNN Delivers Highest Monthly Primetime Audience Since War," the network's press release headline says. Quoting the P.R.: "In June 2004, CNN delivered 945k total viewers and 262k P25-54 in primetime, its highest delivery in both demographics since April '03. CNN increased its primetime P2+ total audience by 24% versus last year and 30% versus last month. CNN increased its primetime P25-54 audience by 17% versus last year and 28% versus last month. In June, CNN grew its total primetime audience more than FXNC and MSNBC versus a year ago, more than doubling the growth of FXNC (CNN +182k, MSNBC +115k, FXNC +85k)." 2:55:16 PM

Ratings: FOX Highlights 50%+ Audience Share, Criticizes Other Cablers
Quoting FOX’s press release this afternoon: "FNC garnered more than 50% of the cable news audience in primetime and total day during 2Q‘04, according to Nielsen Media Research. In contrast, CNN and MSNBC both attracted less than a third of the same market share." The P.R. takes shots at the competition:
> "During Rick Kaplan’s first full quarter as president, MSNBC’s primetime line-up attracted a paltry 13% of the cable news audience with 321,000 viewers (down 41% in viewership year to year)."
> "Since launching in September 2003, Paula Zahn Now and Anderson Cooper 360 have yet to rank within the top ten cable news programs — Zahn currently ranks at 16th while Cooper is languishing at number 21." 2:48:57 PM

Ratings: Anderson Cooper Beats Chris Matthews In June
Anderson Cooper 360 beat Hardball "out of the park" in June, an industry insider notes. CNN averaged a 0.5 and 434,000 households at 7pm this month, compared to MSNBC's 0.4 and 338,000 HHs that hour. In the 25-54 demo, Anderson Cooper averaged 171,000 viewers, while Chris Matthews had only 91,000. "Maybe it's time Hardball takes their minor ratings victory last month off their webpage," the source says...
> UPDATE: From an anonymous e-mailer: "Interesting that for the quarter, Hardball and Cooper are virtually tied...Also, Chris Matthews was off for 7 days of the 20 day period." 2:47:24 PM

Ratings: June: Cable Show Averages
The June averages for each cable show are now out. O'Reilly is #1, H&C; is #2, and Larry King is #3. (In May, Larry was ranked #5.) Most of the top of the chart has held steady. The most interesting data is towards the bottom. Hardball and Scarborough Country are the top-rated shows on MSNBC, averaging 0.4's. Olbermann, Imus and Norville average 0.3's. Dennis Miller is still stuck with a 0.2 average on CNBC...
  > Word document: June 2004 cable show averages 2:30:34 PM

Mother Invites Media Coverage Of Flag-Draped Casket Arrival
Quoting the Associated Press via CNN.com: "The mother of a soldier killed in Iraq invited news coverage of the arrival of her son's flag-draped casket at Sacramento International Airport. Nearly a dozen reporters, photographers and television crews were present when the coffin of Army Sgt. Patrick McCaffrey, 34, was transferred to a hearse outside a cargo terminal late Sunday. The scene was in stark contrast with Pentagon policy banning photographs of the coffins of dead military personnel while they are on military facilities." 1:47:15 PM

So Who Was Watching At 2:00am?
In the Baltimore Sun, David Folkenflik notes that the cablers were covering the handover "at a time of night when the networks get a modest fraction of their primetime audiences: from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., for example, Fox News averages nearly 400,000 viewers, while CNN attracts 209,000 and MSNBC 123,000." Ratings for the early morning hours will be available later today... 1:21:19 PM

Media Notes: Dennis Miller's Delay; Rupert Murdoch's 'CYA'?
> Mark notices: "Dennis Miller's show has been on a one-day delay: new shows Tuesday-Friday, rerun from the previous week on Monday (a rather stupid schedule, in my opinion). But Monday night he had a new show, obviously taped today as it discussed the handover."
> The Daily Texan calls the early handover "a move that left the cable news outlets scrambling to finish up their colon-crammed 3-D graphics reading 'Handover: Iraq' and 'Iraq: The Next Chapter.'"
> Greta's blog has photos from her visit to Nellis Air Force Base.
> Richard Goldstein says "Rupert Murdoch is covering his ass in case John Kerry wins" (Via Romenesko) 1:11:44 PM

Every Number Is A Life
Steve Harrigan blogging: "I keep a small note card in my hand in case my mind goes blank during a live shot. Most days part of the report is about attacks and the number of people killed. I use a shorthand of numbers; for example the other day on my notes I wrote 105/3/270 after a series of terrorist attacks in six Iraqi cities left 105 Iraqis dead, three U.S. servicemen killed, and 270 Iraqis wounded. When I gather information I find myself jotting the numbers in three columns: x/x/x. The danger is you start thinking of them as numbers instead of people..." Must-read. 12:58:39 PM

HANDOVER: Cryptic Phone Calls, Confiscated Cell Phones
Howard Kurtz's media-scramble lead: "The phone calls to the journalists were cryptic. Their cell phones were confiscated. And at the moment that they realized they were watching an abruptly scheduled transfer of power from U.S. authorities to the new Iraqi government yesterday, most of America was fast asleep." Anderson Cooper called Monday an "incredibly exciting day from a coverage standpoint"... 9:45:51 AM

HANDOVER: "I Had Absolutely No Idea," Amanpour Says
Highlights of David Bauder's media-scramble story on the AP wire:
> Christiane Amanpour was there: "We were told not to come with a camera. I thought it was going to be some chit-chat ... I had absolutely no idea."
> "Some guests booked on MSNBC for Wednesday, such as former U.N. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, were moved up two days. The network had to hurry some other reports and cancel others."
> NBC never broke into early-morning programming.
Also: Quoting FOX VP John Stack: "It was one of those times when we were knocked out of our beds with our beepers, but in this case it was positive news." (Variety) 11:24:28 PM

Media Notes: Close Call For CNN Gaza City; O'Reilly In A Speedo
> The Israeli military attacked the Palestinian news agency Ramattan late Monday, firing rockets into a building that also houses CNN's Gaza City offices. CNN.com has more.
> Joe Scarborough aired his interview with Ahmed Chalabi on MSNBC tonight. (Press Release)
> "FOX reporter Garrett falsely claimed that Gore distorted 9-11 Commission finding," Media Matters for America says.
> Mark thinks "they are really fuzzing up Andrea Mitchell on Hardball." He says "it looks like her camera is out of focus, and her lighting a bit dim. It's especially noticeable when they do a split screen with her and a guest." She is in for Chris all week.
> E.D. writes about Saturday's "Fox & Friends summer shindig" and Sunday's network BBQ. "O'Reilly in a speedo... now that's a sight," she blogs... 11:17:40 PM

Bartiromo To Take Over 'WSJ Report' Hosting Duties
"Maria Bartiromo named new host of the Wall Street Journal Report," the title of today's press release says. "CNBC Anchor To Lead Syndicated Financial Series Beginning Saturday, September 18, 2004." She is taking over from Consuelo Mack, who will now have an "expanded role" during the business day. "In preparation for her new assignment," her Monday evening 'Special Report' will be replaced by 'Capital Report.' More... 11:10:37 PM

Ratings: CNN's Clinton Chat, FOX's Car Chase Boost #'s
CableNewser hears that Bill Clinton boosted CNN's primetime Thursday night, beating FOX during the 9pm hour and nearly tying them for first place. Larry King interviewed Clinton for the hour, and averaged a 2.6 HH and 2,979,000 viewers P2+ for the hour. That same hour, FOX averaged a 1.5 and 1,516,000 viewers, while MSNBC scored a 0.3 and 314,000. From 8 to 11pm, FOX averaged a 1.6, CNN earned a 1.5, and MSNBC had 0.3.
> Also: FOX's car chase coverage is paying off. On Friday, a chase "pulled in the highest number of any hour that day," a source says, "beating CNN by almost 4:1 and MSNBC by over 8:1."
> Correction: I erroneously listed the FOX average as 11 million earlier today. It's fixed. 5:35:21 PM

'News Flash' Is Biased, CNN Spokesperson Says
A CNN spokesperson responds to Bonnie Anderson's claims, originally reported by Lost Remote: "Ms. Anderson is trying to sell her just-released book and advance her pending lawsuit against CNN," the spokesperson says. "The picture of CNN she tries to paint is untrue and is biased by this personal agenda. We do not believe she is objective when it comes to CNN."
> Earlier: Sept. 03, AJC: "Two former CNN employees file suits alleging bias"
> UPDATE: An anonymous reader says Anderson was a respected professional at CNN: "I do not think for a moment that Bonnie Anderson would paint an untrue picture of CNN or would be biased by any type of personal agenda...I for one look forward to reading her book." I hope my copy came in the mail today... 5:35:20 PM

"What Is Dishonest About Giving People Both Sides Of The Story?"
Neil Cavuto tells the Atlanta Business Chronicle says he is a little offended by John Carroll's recent FOX-bash: "What is dishonest about giving people both sides of the story? What is dishonest about giving you a view that wasn't popularly expressed in the media prior? What is dishonest about telling you good news, as well as bad news? What is dishonest about showing your patriotism for this country, but still being critical of this country? If that's an organization that the L.A. Times wants no part of, then I regret that, but I have no apology to make for that." 5:31:26 PM

HANDOVER: MSNBC Breaks News At 2:24am; CNN Waits Until 2:33am
A cable news insider checked a split-screen taping of all three cablers, and forwards the times when each channel broke in with the news that the handover was imminent:
      MSNBC: 2:24am
      FOX: 2:30am
      CNN: 2:33am
> UPDATE: An viewer notes that CNN was the first to report the handover news based on its own reporting -- Robin Oakley confirmed it from Istanbul. "The difference between reading wire copy and reporting [is important]," the e-mailer says... 3:20:43 PM

HANDOVER: A "Mad Scramble" As Journalists Scurried For Phones
The Associated Press describes the media's reaction to the breaking news: "Word leaked out at the NATO summit in Istanbul, Turkey, that the handover would be advanced by 24 hours. That set off a mad scramble as reporters tried to retrieve their phones from security guards. A few reporters managed to leave the conference room and get their phones. Irate security guards slammed the door and kept most reporters inside...At least 30 minutes after the ceremony and briefing were over, reporters were finally allowed to leave and retrieve their phones." 2:30:51 PM

HANDOVER: Why Wasn't Coverage Wall-To-Wall This Morning?
When I turned on the television this morning, FOX was in a commercial and CNN was airing 90 Second Pop. I was stunned that the cablers weren't covering the handover story exclusively this morning. One e-mailer agrees: "I would have appreciated more wall-to-wall, commercial-free programing all morning, especially when people are getting ready for work and surprised to see such a shocking development," he says. Will there have to be a terrorist attack in Baghdad in order for the country to get coverage?...
> UPDATE: One source offers his reasoning for not going overboard with coverage: "The handover story is important, but it's not as if breaking info continues to come out of it. Instead, it's an event that's passed and now we pull in experts to analyze. Don't forget, commercial free coverage isn't free to the cable channels." 2:30:46 PM

HANDOVER: Notes: CBS First To Confirm; Anchors in Baghdad
> From a west coast-er: "Though the stuff hit the fan at 2AM eastern, remember that 20% of us live in California, so it was an 11 o'clock story for us. Great television."
> Carrie agrees that CNN won the morning: "Clearly, THEY are the network to watch when news breaks," she writes. "Their coverage Monday left the others in the dust. Fox may be the place to debate the issues, but CNN is place to see history in the making." But I wonder if people turned to CNN or FOX first when the news broke...
> FOX's Kelly Wright at 2:30am, as the handover occured: "Iraq could become a sovereign country as of today. We are getting word from Fox crews here in Baghdad that the transition of power could be taking place sometime today..."
> I said earlier that ABC was the first network to confirm the handover. Wrong: CBS was first. "CBS News had Dan Rather on the phone on Up to the Minute and confirming it before ABC News even went to a special report," a source says. "While a number of networks may have had the news of the date moving up, CBS News clearly was the first across the board to confirm it had taken place."
> A viewer notes that "on all three network morning shows the big three anchors appeared live from Iraq: Brokaw on "Today," Jennings on "GMA" and Rather on "Early Show." Interesting they were there already." The NYDN writes about their security... 1:37:27 PM

HANDOVER: Notes: "The Media's Plans Have...Been Utterly Shredded"
> Cori Dauber: "...All the media's plans have clearly just now been utterly shredded, with at least some cable nets planning all day events on the 30th. We'll see who's adaptive now, I guess."
> The Note loved it: "What better way to remind everyone in politics and political journalism that the best-laid plans to shape the news cycle can be overthrown by wacky and unexpected international events!!!"
> Nick says "CNN clearly DOMINATED the coverage. They covered it from all angles, with loads of correspondents all over the place."
> Jim in CT opines: "FNC may have higher ratings, but CNN is THE breaking news authority. Always has been. Always will be. CNN leads the way and FNC and MSNBC play catch-up. I'll continue to trust CNN. Nice job!
> "Amanpour is a fine reporter, but I found her commentary somewhat repetitive after the initial few minutes," an 'anonymous well-known friend' writes. "CNN went to her too often given she didn't have much to add at the time, and was more or less giving a history lesson, which is fine, but not necessarily 'breaking.'" 1:05:47 PM

HANDOVER: Press Was In The Dark Until Ceremony Began, Amanpour Says
Earlier today, one of the e-mail comments said CNN's Christiane Amanpour was in Turkey. She was in Baghdad and witnessed the handover first-hand. From the transcript:

ANDERSON COOPER: CNN's Christiane Amanpour attended the ceremony, although when she was called to go there she didn't quite know what it was. She was in the room when the handover happened. Christiane, what was it like? CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: Well, we got there and we waited around for about an hour. And some of the invited press who were there to witness this were told who were going to be the participants. And we saw - we didn't know, really, until we got into the room, when they were all seated...

12:43:20 PM

HANDOVER: CNN Almost 10 Minutes Late With Bush/Blair Presser
At around 9:55am, Bush and Blair held a news conference regarding the transfer of power. While MSNBC and FOX aired the entire presser, CNN didn't, and the e-mails started coming in:
> "CNN was in a commercial break... and then they had some happy chat... and then they went to weather... and then they did a story about a skydiving granny... and then I stopped watching."
> "CNN pulled away during Bush's comments so that Soledad and Bill could chitchat with the anchor taking over [when Live Today started at 10am]. During such an important day they shouldn't have stuck with [the usual format]..."
> "I'd guess they were a good seven or eight minutes behind on the Bush/Blair coverage - almost as important as breaking the story, in my opinion." 12:26:22 PM

HANDOVER: Notes: Who Was Watching?; al-Zarqawi Capture Mistake
> An e-mailer points out that viewership levels were probably not high as the news broke: "Is there any way to tell how many people in the U.S. were actually up early this morning watching the coverage?"
> FOX had live coverage of the handover from 3 to 5am without commercial interruption. They had "Kelly Wright and Greg Palkot in Iraq," a viewer writes. "They also had a traveling WH reporter Jim [Angle] on and some clips of Rice from an earlier appearance on their Sunday morning show with Chris Wallace."
> Around 5:30am this morning, Greg Palkot reported on FOX that al-Zarqawi had been captured by coalition forces; FOX put the terrorist's photo up, above an "Alert." They retracted the news a few minutes later...
> "I happened to be awake early in the morning, and my eyes bugged out when i saw what was happening," an e-mailer says... 12:15:24 PM

HANDOVER: Chatters Say CNN Dominates Early Coverage
Quoting some messages and posts: "With CNN first on the story, with Amanpour breaking the news of the transfer, and with Cooper first to anchor on location, this round clearly goes to CNN," one e-mailer says. "CNN was so far ahead of the pack reporting on the coalition handover to Iraq it was really embarrassing," a TVSpyer said. Quoting a FReeper at 2:47am: "FNC is in a coma. CNN's been talking about this for 10 minutes. FNC is talking about Neil Sadaka as an American Idol." 9:01:24 AM

HANDOVER: A Timeline of Early Morning Coverage
CNN was first with news of the Iraqi handover, and they dominated initial coverage of the breaking news. Comments from e-mailers during the early morning hours:
2:00am:
> "In the 2am hour, CNN was running breaking news of the handover surprise via CNN International, while Fox and MSNBC were running features on Neil Sedaka and whales, respectively."
3:00am:
> "CNN stuck with CNNI coverage in the 3am and 4am hours, prominently featuring Christiane Amanpour in Baghdad in the 3am hour, who broke a lot of the news, including that the transfer had already occured. A breaking news alert from Reuters appeared on my cell citing CNN as their source. At 4am Anderson Cooper took over hosting duties from Iraq and tossed back and forth with Amanpour, still with CNNI graphics."
> "MSNBC stayed mostly in-studio both hours with (I believe) Melissa Rehberger, who chatted at times with Richard Engel in Iraq...Rehberger at least twice called the handover "sneaky" and made it known that it had frustrated the network's plans."
> "FOX had Carol Iovanna in-studio chatting with with Kelly Wright in Iraq and Jim Angle by phone in Turkey."
5:00am:
> "Fox switched to the pre-recorded "Forbes on Fox" program at 5am. MSNBC ran an extended commercial for a VHS tape of Reagan jokes before switching to First Look with Melissa Stark at 5am. While CNN stayed live with Cooper in Iraq in the 5am hour, MSNBC ran commercials, entertainment news, etc. on First Look..."
> "CNN made a full-court press in the 5am hour: Cooper hosting in Iraq, Amanpour in Baghdad, a phone interview with an Iraq newspaper editor, Jane Arraf in Iraq, Oakley in Turkey, Suzanne Malveaux in Turkey, Octavia Nasr on what Arab media are saying, etc. Also, for the first time I checked Headline News and saw that it was a simulcast of CNN."
> "Fox interrupted its recorded fare, probably at 5:30 when it was scheduled to switch to Cashin' In, with an early edition of Fox & Friends First, mostly in-studio. MSNBC seemed to be running a lot of commercials."
> "CNN hasn't aired a commercial yet (that I've seen), aside from promos as they switched to CNN Domestic."
6:00am:
> "While CNN and FOX were wall-to-wall with handover coverage, MSNBC was sprinkling in entertainment and sports highlights"
(More screen grabs from CNN's coverage, via CNNFan) 8:55:15 AM

CNBC Prime: "Often Funny, But Not Necessarily Business-Related"
In USA Today, CNBC GM Bob Meyers explains that CNBC is shifting to lighter fare at night, to avoid competing with sister network MSNBC. (That's quite a shift from the days where 'The News' aired on both channels.) Meyers calls the primetime programming "fast-paced, somewhat irreverent, often funny, but not necessarily business-related." 12:55:50 AM

McEnroe: The First Promotional Volley!
(No more tennis cliches, okay?) The 'McEnroe' press tour has commenced. The tennis star's CNBC talk show premieres on July 7. He gets the Peter Johnson treatment in USA Today. Quoting John: "The key for me is to have some fun. The reason I have had some success as a commentator is that I feel people know I don't take myself too seriously. I pride myself on honesty and being straightforward." The show will air weeknights at 10pm... 12:51:16 AM

'News Flash:' CNN Pesters Company-Exec-Turned-Author
Former CNNer Bonnie Anderson is out with a new book titled News Flash, and her old employer isn't thrilled. She tells Lost Remote: "CNN is demanding I turn over all drafts of my book, they want access to my hard drive, they want me to reveal my sources, and even want access to my medical records (for reasons I can't begin to understand.) This is a news organization that is using tactics THEY would scream about if the tables were turned. Guess I've hit a nerve. And it's clear they don't want the American public to read what I've written. If they think I'm going to cave, they've picked on the wrong person." I ordered a copy last week, and I'm looking forward to posting some highlights on the site... 12:50:45 AM