Politics : CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale


CNN chief says Trumps attacks are boosting morale

Jeff Zuckers comments suggest White House media war may be benefiting both sides.

By ALEX WEPRIN 02/16/17 05:57 PM EST

CNN President Jeff Zucker declared on Thursday that President Donald Trumps comments about the channel being fake news are a badge of honor and that aggressive coverage of the new administration has boosted employee morale.

As Zucker was talking over a lunch with reporters at Porter House in the Time Warner Center in New York, Trump was hosting a fiery press conference featuring a memorable back-and-forth with CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta, who tried to ask a question about the presidents attacks on CNN.

I'm changing it from fake news, to very fake news, Trump quipped in response.

But both Trump and Acosta seemed to be enjoying the jousting, pointing to one of the odder patterns to emerge from the early days of Trumps administration: the president engaging in all-out war with the media and both sides seeming energized by it and, perhaps, benefiting from it.

When Trump made a quip about CNNs low ratings, Acosta piped up that they actually werent bad. And, indeed, CNNs ratings have been on the rise during the period when the White House has been shunning the network.

They wear those insults as a badge of honor, because it means they are doing their jobs, Zucker said, referring to the networks reporters and employees. I would say that morale is incredibly high They are not being intimidated, they are not backing down, they know they have my full support and it is a very exciting time, frankly, to be a journalist at CNN.

Added Zucker, If there is any issue, it is because they are exhausted. The pace has been nonstop, and it has not let up.

In his back-and-forth with Trump, Acosta declared just for the record, we dont hate you, while a twinkle-eyed Trump asked Acosta whether he was related to his pick for labor secretary, Alexander Acosta.

Later, Trump told Acosta to ask Jeff Zucker how he got his job.

According to New York magazine, Trump believes he helped Zucker get the top job at CNN because he mentioned that Zucker would be a good candidate to Turner Broadcastings CEO at the time, Phil Kent. At that point, Kent was said to have already decided on Zucker to take over the cable news channel, so Trumps recommendation was moot.

Zucker, for his part, told reporters on Thursday that he last spoke to Trump in mid- to late December and that it was not a good conversation.

Zucker said that while newsroom morale is high, executives at the company are nonetheless concerned about the comments made by Trump and others during the campaign and since the election.

I have wondered about that, and I frankly was concerned that when you have that constant drumbeat for a year, you know, the president of the United States saying it on a daily basis. I wondered what impact that would have, Zucker said.

But CNN ordered a major brand study that was conducted throughout the month of January to examine what impact the attacks have had on its credibility with viewers and with the public.

There has been no diminution whatsoever, Zucker said the study showed. The CNN brand is as strong as it has ever been. Incredibly trusted. And we have seen no impact whatsoever in all those attacks on the CNN brand.

In fact, the presidential campaign and the first few weeks of the Trump administration have proven to be a boon to the bottom line for CNN and its competition. In many respects, Trumps vitriol toward the media and the tough coverage of his administration reinforce themselves, driving coverage forward.

Zucker noted that, in the adults 25-54 demographic that media buyers buy ads against, CNN and Fox News are up more than 50 percent so far this year compared with the same period last year, while MSNBC is up by more than 30 percent. In prime time, CNN and MSNBC are averaging well over 1 million viewers this year, while Fox News is averaging nearly 3 million prime-time viewers, according to ratings data from Nielsen.

Trump himself seems fully aware of his role in boosting cable news. During his exchange with Acosta, he said I know how good everybodys ratings are right now but I think that actually I think thatd actually be better [if the media were nicer].

That ratings boom is affecting CNNs revenue as well.

CNN last year had its best year ever in terms of advertising, Turner President David Levy told reporters Thursday, adding that so far no advertisers have been spooked by the presidents comments about the network. CNN is hoping to see $1 billion in profit this year, according to Zucker.

The demand for CNN is incredibly high, Zucker added. These are very good times for us, and the money is following.

Of course, Trumps tangents have a side effect of being a distraction. While the back-and-forth arguments with members of the press make for entertaining TV, they also push more serious stories, such as Russia or Syria, below the fold, or out of prime time.

For now, it certainly appears as though the big news story of the day will be Trumps extended press conference, with the questions surrounding Michael Flynns departure, and Rex Tillersons first meeting with his Russian counterpart stuck on the back burner.

Fox News Channels Shepard Smith, on his program Thursday afternoon, defended Acostas questioning of the president during the presser, and suggested that Trump's answers were meant to deflect from the hard questions.

It is crazy what we are watching every day. He keeps repeating ridiculous throwaway lines that are not true at all, and sort of avoiding this issue of Russia as if we are fools for asking the question, Smith said. That you call us fake news and put us down like children for asking these questions on behalf of the American people is inconsequential. The people deserve that answer, at very least.

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

Old Krippen falling for reverse psychology again.

If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed. If you doyou are misinformedMark Twain

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

It makes sense. He's not going to win. CNN will be on the air long after he is gone.

He has zero credibility so even if everything he said about CNN it's completely true it's coming from the wrong mouth

Plus we as a country, via the constitution, have basically given more power to the press than the president

And without checking I would guess that CNN's ratings are up from December

===

Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale


It makes sense. He's not going to win.


Gee, that sounds familiar.

I'M AGAINST IT.

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

I never said that about the election

===

Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

Yeah, CNN appears to be doing just fine. 2016 was one of their best years ever.


CNN also saw a boon in ratings. 2016 proved to be the channel's most-watched year among total viewers.

In primetime, CNN placed eighth with an average of 1.3 million viewers, its highest ranking since 1995.


And just a quick look at recent days:

Cable Network Ranker: Week of February 6

CNN ranked No. 4 in total day viewers, and No. 9 in total prime time viewers this past week. The network posted a -4 percent prime time viewer decline from the same week last year, but put up a solid +31 percent bump in total day.


http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/cable-network-ranker-week-of-february-6/320736

Scoreboard: Wednesday, Feb. 15

25-54 demographic (Live +SD)

Total day: FNC: 406 | CNN: 389 | MSNBC: 251 | HLN: 117
Primetime: FNC: 601 | CNN: 566 | MSNBC: 482 | HLN: 135


Total Viewers (Live +SD)

Total day: FNC: 2.088 | CNN: 1.153 | MSNBC: 1.179 | HLN: 267
Primetime: FNC: 3.074 | CNN: 1.455 | MSNBC: 2.166 | HLN: 385

http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/scoreboard-wednesday-feb-15/321104


Scoreboard: Tuesday, Feb. 14

25-54 demographic (Live +SD)

Total Day: FNC: 405 | CNN: 411 | MSNBC: 265 | HLN: 102
Primetime: FNC: 609 | CNN: 587 | MSNBC: 504 | HLN: 121


Total Viewers (Live +SD)

Total day: FNC: 2.064 | CNN: 1.218 | MSNBC: 1.209 | HLN: 229
Primetime: FNC: 3.048 | CNN: 1.578 | MSNBC: 2.102 | HLN: 290

http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/scoreboard-tuesday-feb-14/320907

CNN led the pack on Tuesday among 24-54 year olds. Fox News will almost always lead in total viewers as the average age of FN viewers is 68. And on that day, in primetime, Tapper led Cavuto, Blitzer led Baier, and Lemon led Hannity among the coveted demographic.

As Mark Twain said, the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.





I don't want to belong to any club that will accept people like me as a member

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

Couple of weeks ago posters here were sounding the death knell for CNN

They dont get it.

And yeah, Fox will always lead because they are the only right wing slanted news show. If they had any actual competition the ratings would look a lot different

Thanks Self!

===

Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale


And yeah, Fox will always lead because they are the only right wing slanted news show. If they had any actual competition the ratings would look a lot different


That is also true. Essentially, Fox News is the favorite channel of elderly 'conservatives'. And there are a ton of elderly 'conservatives' out there. And as there is only one cable news network that caters to 'conservatives', FNC will almost always have more total viewers. Especially when 'liberals' and 'moderates' that are looking for a channel that caters to them have more choices therefore their numbers are spread across multiple channels. And that is not even looking at the numbers for ABC, CBS, and NBC which are way bigger than any of these little cable channels.

I think the biggest problem in all of this is the idea that news consumers actually want to be catered to. Safe in our bubbles free from challenging ideas. Hardcore partisans have their own news channels, their own 'facts', and their own realities. 'Conservative' and liberal safe spaces. It's no wonder compromise gets harder by the day when both sides think they are making a deal with the literal devil.

So it goes.


Thanks Self!


Yep! Are you moving to a different board after the 20th? I'm still trying to figure out what to do and I've always enjoyed interacting with you in the past.



I don't want to belong to any club that will accept people like me as a member

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale


I'm still trying to figure out what to do

Same for me. I was hoping to follow you.


So it goes.

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

Those are some pretty shotty numbers for CNN. Doing a little better than awful for a while isn't really a huge accomplishment

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

http://press.foxnews.com/2017/01/fox-news-channel-names-tucker-carlson-as-new-9pmet-host/


Tucker Carlson's show beats CNN and MSNBC viewers combined. Lol

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

CNN does not lead the pack among that group at all except for the occasional random day. Usually they are destroyed. Shows like Tucker can beat CNN and MSNBC combuned

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

^ Called Herman Cain a "porch monkey," a "house n!gger," and a "lawn jockey."

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

It is a badge of honor to be despised by someone who has ZERO honor. He's just a k,u.nt a gaping whiny worn out ol vaj..

Listen, ..do you smell something?

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

You're posting fake news, brother.

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

Trump's doing himself a whole lot more damage than the media is, with press conferences like today.

It was always his biggest weaknesshis thin skin and inability to deal with negative press. And the press is using that to make him look unstable.


in fact blacks did better before affirmative action. Visf1 1/18/12

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale


The CNN brand is as strong as it has ever been. Incredibly trusted.


http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/rasmussen-poll-cnn-least-trusted-cable-news-network


"If it doesn't make sense, it's not true." Judge Judy
Keep free speech and free thought alive!

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

You should probably actually read that article beyond the headline.

#1. The bulk of the respondents watch Fox, so OF COURSE they distrust CNN.
#2. Of ALL respondents, only 37% actually trust the news they're getting from ANY of those sources.


in fact blacks did better before affirmative action. Visf1 1/18/12

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale


Block Scott Pruitt from becoming head of the EPA.
This is very important

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/16/scott-pruitt-epa-nominee-ordered-turn-over-emails/?utm_source=RSS_Feedutm_medium=RSS

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/01/scott-pruitt-and-oklahomas-manmade-earthquakes/513437/

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/us/politics/energy-firms-in-secretive-alliance-with-attorneys-general.html?_r=0

Reduce Trump supporter morale by blocking another Trump nominee.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/05/19/oklahoma-grand-jury-says-lethal-injection-process-muddled-by-inexcusable-failure/
We can't allow that sick twisted monster, Scott Pruitt to become head of the EPA.

It is tomorrow morning so there is no time to lose to really get on this
to block Scott Pruitt to prevent irreversible damage to America.

"Without education and intellectualism there is no morality."

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

Even Jeffrey Lord was struggling to defend Trump over his lies at that presser. CNN is my go to channel. Under attack but sticking to fact checking Trump and exposing his fraud.






The word idiot was invented for Trump.

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

Trump has no path to victory.
He's literally Hitler.

Re: CNN chief says Trump's attacks are boosting morale

It's interesting what you idiots call "victory".




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