Larry King and CNN Getting Clobbered in Ratings

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 30th 2010 11:15AM

More bad news for CNN: According to the NY Times, the most trusted name in news experienced yet another ratings hiccup during the first quarter of 2010, with headline programs like 'Larry King Live' and 'Anderson Cooper 360' down about 50 percent in viewers.

'Larry King' in particular saw its worst quarter ever, averaging a measly 771,000 viewers, down from 1.34 million viewers in 2009. The long-running news program, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in June, was even beat by HLN's 'Joy Behar Show' a whopping 21 times at 9PM.

Meanwhile, Anderson Cooper was hit by a similar, though not quite as drastic, decline in the ratings. His 10PM program was down 42 percent in viewers and almost 50 percent in the 25-to-54 demo -- a troubling sign, considering that Cooper is one of the networks most lauded and recognizable faces -- not to mention one of its highest paid. (Recently, Cooper was said to be eyeing an anchor position at CBS News, a report that was quickly shot down by CNN.)

But Cooper and King aren't the only ones suffering from bad ratings: 'Campbell Brown' was down at 8PM, as was the network's morning news program, 'American Morning,' which fell behind MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' for the first time ever, according to the report.

What these numbers mean for the future of CNN remains to be seen. But if the network is looking to improve its audience, it may want to take a page from its biggest rival, Fox News Channel. The network is coming off of its biggest quarter ever, with shows like 'Bill O'Reilly' and 'Glenn Beck' up 28 and 50 percent, respectively.

Perhaps it's time for CNN to start courting Sarah Palin.

Tags: anderson cooper, anderson cooper 360, larry king, larry king live, ratings

Comments

(89)

Tuesday 30 March

By katrina

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The only reason that Bill-O the clown tops Keith is that certain areas of the country don't air Keith's broadcast.

By marty

Geez where did you go from cnn,Ide like to join you as long as its not fox,Ive never seen so much bias BS in my life!!

I like how you say Bill O that name kinda fits him,the clown that he is!!!!!!!!!!1

By Steph

Hey...did FOX pay you all to say this?...well CNN is the boomb! I love Larry King and gay or no gay,Anderson Cooper is awesome!
CNN as Obama media machine?.Isn't it true that citizens of a country are supposed to love and encourage their leaders,and pray for them,so that God will help them steer the affairs of the State in the right direction.Any dissing on Obama is a dissing on the United States of America,cos that is what Barack Obama represents! God bless America!!!

By MaCryer

CNN needs to make many changes in my opinion! Start with replacing the program director, the personnel director and the news director. Hire people like Aaron Brown, who will deliver the news in a proffesional manner. Spend more time devolping a story and stop with the breaking news that is not that important that it can't wait until a "guest" finishes their sentences. Why have guest and then interrupt them to watch the president go down or up the steps of Air Froce One! Two hours of Rick S. in the afternoon is two too many for me. If you are going to do so many reports on "blacks" in America and how they are treated why not do an honest discussion on the race question. When such discussions are held now on your network it always seems to involve on how much the white people have done to or not done for the black race. I have never seen any discussions on why business that try to stay in black neighborhoods are forced out by their brothers and why businesses can move to other parts of the same town and not have that problem! I may be the only one who feels this way,but when our children are exposed in heavy doses to Martin King but no mention of George Washington why would I not be offended!

By Marilyn

No way bring Aaron Brown back. I will never forget what he said on 9/11, standing with his back to the fallen buildings in NYC. He said with great disgust, "I can't believe how much it smells!" Very professional Aaron ... just the sort of thing a grieving country wants to know!

Wednesday 31 March

By kimyun

Americans are waking up to the fact that these networks CNN,MSNBC

By db

Larry King????? The only reason he's lasted this long is because of the great guests he use to book......but those days are over.....and he's never ever been a great interviewer......too wishy washy and soft questions.......no guts to ask the hard core stuff......he's a dinosaur......RETIRE ALREADY!!!!! CNN use to be good years ago.......but now their so bad I rarely watch them. The "Wolfman" should "Blitz" too. I hope Anderson Cooper gets smart and moves to another network......he's the only thing CNN has left.....but even AC360 is getting a bit sluggish. FOX has got everyone beat.....but I guess their all so political.....I can't take all the rhetoric.....which seems to be all the news ever talks about these days.........very sad!!!!!

By Save America

Well Larry King and CNN if you quit the tingling down your leg everytime you speak of the Almighty one and defended your fellow Americans, the US Constitution and informed Americans of the real news not just what Obama dictates, then maybe people would change their minds about the Existing News Media!!!! Right now, all the news stations excluding Fox real inform the people in a WELL BALANCED DIALOG. I enjoy listening to O'Reily and Hannity because the express their views whether pro or con of this Obama administration but it is refreshing because they inform Americans of what is REALLY HAPPENING NOW!!!

By Bonbon

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Everyone is watching Fox.

By Andy

Nice try, Kev.

Down the tubes with MSNBC, americans do not like being called racist and bigots, who would want to watch that, and Campbell Brown should have never had her own show in the firstplace, she's terrible.

By mikecalabrese

People like the clowns at Fox News. I would rather watch nothing as opposed to watching Fox. Nothing but right wing propaganda.

By tuffpaw

Thank you, Mike. You are my hero!

By Janet

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One thing most of CNN's anchors and hosts are boring and have no personality .. Olbermann isn't boring but he's an idiot that has no credibility ..

If everyone is watching Fox, then the country is doomed.

By J

no big surprise CNN is losing viewers. THey never report on anything important and if they do they put their liberal slant on it or fabricate details. They're full of Sh*t as a network so FOX is taking over - has been for a LONG TIME.

By Kimi

All of you Fox haters should give one show on that network a look and that is Special Report with Brett Bair. He and his panels are always professionals. I admire Charles Krauthammer's intelligence and fairness. But, I'm afraid alot of you are so full of hate for that network you would probably make fun of him being handicapped and confined in a wheelchair and never listen to the man for his insight and opinions. Special Report is the only show I follow the political news of the day; I am tired of hearing all the screaming from ALL networks! They have discussions on Special Report, they do not scream.

By Richard

The only way for CNN to survive is fire those tired old liberal faces. Boring! And as for Mr . Cooper - I am a gay man and cannot tolerate his liberal views plus I find him boring, the only thing keeping him at CNN is his huge salary. Perhaps if he outed himself on his own show and interiviewed Ricky Martin while doing it, he could move into Larry King's spot.

By Kate

Fox is full of barbie look alikes (except gretchen) and haters...great journalism! Makes everyone proud to be an American.

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