Search results matching tag 'Politics'

ABC, CBS, NBC to Air Obama; Fox, No

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:01:30 GMT

Fox has decided not to air President Obama's first-100-days press conference this Wednesday—the only Big Four network to turn down the White House's request for time. ABC, CBS and NBC have all announced plans to carry the president's appearance. But Fox today said: No go. “The Fox Broadcasting Company will not air the Presidential News Conference on Wednesday, April 29 at 8:00 PM (ET)," the network said in a release issued Monday afternoon." Fox’s sister networks, Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network will air the press conference in its entirety. Fox will be alerting viewers with an on-screen graphic at the top of the 8:00 PM (ET) hour that the press conference is available on Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network.” It's unusual but not unprecedented for a network to decline to carry a major presidential event. Usually such moves come later in a president's administration, when networks believe the White House is simply playing politics with its requests. However, Fox insiders note that the network also turned down President Bush's November 2001 request to address the nation. The network has also declined to carry several presidential debates. The CW routinely refuses to cover presidential speeches. Still, by not carrying the news conference, the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox risks accusations of partisanship. However, it's like financial matters—not politics—were key to Fox's decision. Pre-empting regular programs can cost networks several million dollars per hour. In the case of Fox, the show that would've been pre-empted—"Lie to Me"—is not a major hit. However, it is a young series that has been losing some Nielsen momentum in recent weeks and probably would have been hurt by another pre-emption. (Editor: Baumann)

Ratings Flash: Obama Lifts Leno's 'Tonight Show'

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:12:23 GMT

President Obama has joined Johnny Carson, Jerry Seinfeld and the cast of "Cheers" in the pantheon of guests who have given Jay Leno his best "Tonight Show" ratings. Thursday's presidential appearance—the first by a sitting president on a late-night talk show—scored an eye-popping 11.2 rating/26 share in Nielsen's metered-market overnight numbers, according to data released by NBC. That's up a whopping 187 percent over "Tonight's" season-to-date average (3.9 rating), and tied for the fourth highest-rated edition of "Tonight" in Mr. Leno's nearly 17-year tenure as host. President Obama's visit matched the ratings "Tonight" generated in January 2005 with an edition commemorating the passing of Mr. Carson. The last time an episode of "Tonight" did better in the overnights was on May 14, 1998, the night NBC bid farewell to "Seinfeld." Other higher-rated milestones for Mr. Leno include the May 1993 "Cheers" finale and Mr. Leno's May 1992 debut as host. Not surprisingly, Mr. Leno's huge numbers helped boost the new "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" to the best ratings of its three-week existence. Events conspired to provide a certain perfect storm for Mr. Obama's "Tonight Show" appearance. Mr. Leno's chief rival, David Letterman, was both in repeats and delayed due to NCAA basketball. Demographic data for Thursday's "Tonight Show" should be available later today. (Editor: Baumann)

Obama Nominates Genachowski to Lead FCC

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:57:49 GMT

President Barack Obama made it official today, nominating Julius Genachowski to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. “I can think of no one better than Julius Genachowski to serve as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission,” the president said in a statement. “He will bring to the job diverse and unparalleled experience in communications and technology, with two decades of accomplishment in the private sector and public service. “I know him as the son of immigrants who carries a deep appreciation for this country and the American dream; and as the proud father of three children working with his wife Rachel to be responsible parents in this digital age,” President Obama said. The long expected nomination was announced as part of a package of nominations that included John Berry, director of the office of personnel management. (Editor: Baumann)

Blogojevich Goes Late Night With Letterman

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:22:38 GMT

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich will sit down with David Letterman on CBS’ “Late Night” on Tuesday. After being accused of trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama, Mr. Blagojevich last week made the round of news shows. The media tour had little affect and the Illinois Senate last Thursday voted 59-0 to remove him from his job and to bar him from holding public office ever again in Illinios. Tuesday will mark Mr. Blagojevich’s first late night talk show appearance since being removed from office. (Editor: Baumann)

Obama Gives Lauer Super Bowl Interview

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:00:01 GMT

"The Today Show" host Matt Lauer has snagged a Super exclusive, landing a one-on-one interview with President Obama. Mr. Lauer's interview will be broadcast Sunday during NBC's three-hour Super Bowl pregame show. The network is expected to announce its scoop during this morning's edition of "Today." NBC is using Super Bowl Sunday to give exposure to virtually all of its units, from the Weather Channel to USA Network. President Obama's first post-inaugural TV interview was with ABC's "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts, who collared Mr. Obama backstage at Tuesday's "Neighborhood Ball." Their conversation lasted just a couple of minutes and aired in prime time during ABC's broadcast of the bash. It's unclear if the president will grant any other major TV interviews between now and Sunday. Mr. Obama is no stranger to Super Bowl media availabilities. He was interviewed by Fox last year during that network's broadcast of the big game. Other presidents, including George W. Bush, have used the Super Bowl as a platform to get their message across.

Obama Inauguration TV Ratings: 29.2 Household Number

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:06:40 GMT

The inauguration of President Barack Obama scored a 29.2 overall household television rating in the top 56 local TV markets, Nielsen said in releasing preliminary numbers. The Raleigh-Durham market had the largest TV audience with more than 51% of households tuned into the events. The Nielsen audience estimate reflects live coverage on the combination of 14 broadcast and cable networks throughout the day's events from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. East Coast. CNBC and ESPN aired the inauguration from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The numbers count only in-home viewing. A full market-by-market breakdown appears here. (Editor: Gelman. Updated to add last paragraph at 10:10 a.m.)

A Great & Glorious Day

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:01:16 GMT

Let us all hope that he can be for America and by extension, the world, what we all hope... an honorable man, a muscular politician, a force for a moral ideal... a beacon.

Bless America and our best dreams.

Olbermann Shares His Obama-Era Approach

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:36:15 GMT

For years Keith Olbermann has ended his "Countdown" show on MSNBC with a reference to the Iraq War—the number of days since George W. Bush appeared in front of a “Mission Accomplished” banner on a Navy aircraft carrier. President-elect Barack Obama may be set to take over, but Keith Olbermann is hinting that the signature signoff may yet survive. “I will probably continue it," Mr. Olbermann said in an interview. "It will be a game-time decision [but] we are still stuck [in Iraq] and will be stuck there quite a while. I would expect fewer diatribes about Iraq, but we have brothers and sisters and kids in danger and they deserve at least to be watched.” Mr. Olbermann has been one of TV’s most severe critics of the Bush administration. Aside from news stories citing Bush administration scandals, Mr. Olbermann has often done “special comments” segments sharply questioning President Bush or administration officials. While his statements have helped boost "Countdown’s" ratings, they also has brought complaints that Mr. Olbermann was an inappropriate choice to also host MSNBC’s news specials. Mr. Olbermann now hosts his own show and sometimes comments on news specials, but no longer serves as anchor of the network’s news specials. That means he won't take part in inauguration coverage. Mr. Olbermann is suggesting "Countdown" won’t suddenly turn soft when the administration changes. The special comments will continue and some may aim at President Barack Obama. “I don’t really anticipate yelling at the new President. Not to the extent I did at the previous one,” said Mr. Olbermann. “But I think every once in a while I may feel the need to say, ‘Hey pay attention to this too.’" Mr. Olbermann’s relations with the Bush administration were pretty much non-existent, after "Countdown" aired an interview featuring Joe Wilson, the former U.S. ambassador and husband to Valerie Plame Wilson. “We had Joe Wilson booked and the White House sent a series of talking points, not really knowing where I was coming from,” he said. The talking points weren’t used. “From that point on, there really has been no communication whatsoever,” he said. While relations with the Obama administration will be better, Mr. Olbermann said that won’t much change the show’s look. “There was no cooperation [from the Bush administration] so any amount of cooperation will be a change,” he said. “But I don’t know that the overall tone will change that much." He anticipates having a guest from the Obama administration "once in a blue moon." Mr. Olbermann also suggested that viewers won’t see much change in his own approach, because the same people he criticized will still be around whether in or out of the administration. “There are still going to be people whose goals and aspirations in life run contrary to my aspirations of what our society should be," Mr. Olbermann said. "I don’t think they have any intention of retiring from the scene. So I don’t think it’s my job to retire from the scene.” NBC News President Steve Capus also predicted "Dateline" wouldn’t change significantly and suggested it and some other MSNBC programs that have been critical of the Bush administration will also be critical of the Obama administration. “I think if you look at those hosts and those programs, they like to hold people accountable," Mr. Capus said. "Democrats are in charge now. I would fully expect [the hosts] are going to keep an eye on everything [in the Democratic administration]."

FCC Chair Kevin Martin Calls It Quits

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:37:05 GMT

Federal Communication Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin used his last agency meeting as chairman to announce he will leave the commission, rather than staying on in the Obama administration. Mr. Martin’s departure was expected, but he had previously declined to disclose his plans. President-elect Barack Obama is expected to designate either Democrat Michael Copps or Jonathan Adelstein as temporary FCC chairman next week, pending the confirmation of Julius Genachowski as the new FCC chairman. Mr. Martin became a commissioner of the FCC in July, 2001, and took the chairmanship in March 2005. While Mr. Martin’s term at the commission isn’t over, he was expected to quit after Democrats take over next week. (Editor: Baumann)

CNN’s Sanjay Gupta Eyed for Surgeon General Post

Anonymous — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:14:02 GMT

CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is in the running to be named surgeon general of the United States, according to two reports. ABC News reported on its Web site that President-elect Barack Obama has made the decision to appoint Dr. Gupta to the position. However, CNN.com was a bit more circumspect as of 1:05 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, saying only that Dr. Gupta "has been approached" about the role. CNN, citing transition team sources, said Obama "is impressed with the combination of Gupta's past government experience, as a White House fellow and a special advisor to then-first lady Hillary Clinton, along with his medical career as a neurosurgeon and his communication skills." CNN's Web site said the network's management had released a statement saying, "Since first learning that Dr. Gupta was under consideration for the surgeon general position, CNN has made sure that his on-air reporting has been on heath and wellness matters and not on health-care policy or any matters involving the new administration." (Editor: Baumann. Updated to add "in the running" in first paragraph at 2 p.m.)