and focused on that rather than the lie fest Romney held during that debate.

Ever since, I look at them with sneering eyes.

Maybe more people than I took that as a turning point.

I hope they never change. Truth needs to be told somewhere. People just don't like the truth that exposes how ignorant and duped they have been and are.

I haven't watched MSNBC since the Boston bombing.

MSNBC news & opinion shows do help to understand what's going on, but the news about everything liberals care about is so negative and depressing. It wears you down after awhile.

so all we have is absolute gridlock. Unless we win the house...it will gone on until his term ends.

I always thought that this was the single best argument for the repukes at the last election - that if he wins nothing will happen. and nothing is happening. (not that anyone else could have made things happen either.)

If we keep the senate and they keep the house - nothing will happen ad infinitum

this degree of Repug obstructionism and filibuster and no compromise with Dems has not really happened before.

They want it all or nothing.

with hopes for good things to happen. But, as it turns out, he is in there only to prevent them from doing
something bad. On the flip side, they are in the House to stop Obama from doing anything. If they wanted
a federal government who did little - they got it.

and will stop at nothing less than one party rule.

It is crippling the country.

Both Ed and Keith had the emotion, empathy thing. And I for one miss it. Heck, Al Sharpton has a difficult time bringing himself to be critical about anything the Obama crew does.. a bit disappointing..

Too much wonky cerebral stuff now...

People do like raw meat.

MSNBC has been very critical of Obama. This not a value judgement on wether they should or shouldn't be, it's just a fact. People who tend to watch MSNBC are generally fans of the Democratic Party and Obama and they just don't like hearing this criticism, even if they personally feel its warranted. Partisans like stories that paint their side in a good light, they don't like stories that are critical of their side. So that's my theory, folks just don't want to hear bad news and criticism about Barack. On the other hand Fox knows their audience and they provide programming specifically that appeals to their mouth breathing nut bags. They promote attack stories on the Dems and they downplay or outright ignore stories that are critical of their side.

I never watch TV cuz I've got Netflix.

But when I read on DU that a school was hit by a tornado, I flipped on the TV to CNN.

And many of us no longer turn on the tv, because we wanted some kicking ass, and all we got were calm discussion, regardless of whether or not it was more factual than the fascist stations.

Well, something like that.

His tone and delivery have been off-putting enough to make me avoid the network entirely, even the shows I like (Martin, Al, Lawrence,...). When they get Tweety in line, the network might start to recover.

much more interested in hearing himself spout his own opinions than allowing his guests to offer theirs. I miss Ed.

He's grating and insufferable.

Pretty white girl butchers a guy.


edit to add - I still watch a few time weekly.
I never watch the mourning joe and pathetic mika, nor do I watch the senseless Sippy Cupp.

I hope not but that might be the case?

and i think lots of folks are just getting burned out on what the republicans will do next ..

They might do better with fewer hosts and longer blocs of time with a few guests who can carry an actual in depth interview....and STOP it with the right wingers.. Let them carry-on at Fox..

When another responder said that MSNBC was critical, that was by our standards. Critical by the dedicated supporters of the Democratic Party is to say that this wasn't done exactly right, and then launch into attacks of those who are objecting.

The problem is this. Those scandals, all have some meat to them. The administration answers have gone from the ludicrous to the asinine. I said the scandals have some meat, but not nearly a fraction of what the Rethugs say. Our answers have been unbelievable to the average citizen. Most people want an independent review of the IRS actions to find out who did what, and who knew about it. Yet, our answer is to announce that there will be no investigation, no second looks, and no Congress can't ask any more questions. At the same time we appoint Eric Holder to investigate his own actions into the subpoena's of Reporters Phone Records. That doesn't throw fuel on the fire, it throws the fire into the fuel tank.

We could have, should have been up front and honest from day one. We could have, should have done everything possible to eliminate possibilities that the image taken by the people was of a cover-up. As I said, from the asinine, to the ludicrous.

MSNBC continues to sound much as we do, that is to say it is all nothing but nonsense from the Rethugs. Well, there may be some truth to that, but not enough to generate viewership. Instead the others, that are taking harder looks at our President, are doing better. I heard on the news that more than 70% of the people want an independent prosecutor to look into the IRS. Instead, we are going to appoint a Bush Co lackey into the FBI, where he's either going to crawl up our assess and make us look great, or go hog wild with his investigate everyone attitude from the Bush Co era and make us look like the overbearing Government that the RW says we are. Either way, we lose.

For having so many smart people in the White House, we sure are doing a lot of dumb things.

Today they spent a full hour on a tornado warning in Oklahoma. Some people want less politics.
MSNBC is very political. And other people here complained they were too hyped up about the scandals and too critical. I don't think that is the issue at all.

I mean...scandal!

Loss of Ed on the prime time launch pad probably didn't help. TV is not the ideal medium for "going cerebral."

Mourning Schmo is no longer opposite Soledad.

All the "news" networks really specialize in analysis and commentary to fill the airtime. Liberals/Democrats are in general more educated than conservatives/republicans and more capable and likely to visit true news sources (on the Web, reading newspapers/magazines). Tea party types are more likely to rely on Fox, Limbaugh, and other commentators to frame their "news" and explain how it fits within their worldview.

Secondarily, it is always a benefit for these ideologically-slanted programs to be on the "outside". Rush made his career being the opposition to Bill Clinton's administration--his popularity and influence waned somewhat during Bush's time in office.

I thought they were kicking ass....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022605217

Fox News Ratings Plunge To New Lows...MSNBC Gloats In Press Release


Less than 2 months ago, Fox was being swept into the dustbin of history, what gives?

That was a Huffingtonpost story too..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/02/fox-news-ratings-hannity-van-susteren-worst-demo-ratings_n_3001096.html

Living out in the sticks with no cable.. it's hard to keep up.

There are real problems right now, the AP/IRS/Benghazi-gate are not scandals.

And there's not much room for that in the demographics that still watch network news?

MSNBC except for Al since Ed is gone during the week.

Don't care. Msnbc is a political news channel at base. Cnn is a tabloid channel. They are almost not comparable. Most msnbc viewership knows that nothing ...nothing....happens in DC until we have one party in charge. Wait and see. If the democrats take the house, 2015 and 2016 will have msnbc shatter their own records. Why? Because political news will actually be made again.

But if they are thinking of adding more conservative "balance", they might want to think twice? Unless, of course, they are ready to bite the loss? There is an old saying about a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush...My advice would be to build on what you have right now. Take another shot at it.

Of course, MSNBC became more "liberal" than they were at first with Phil Donahue and bunch when they decided to compete with FOX. But rather than be just another small fish in the pond of conservative talk shows, they decided to become the opposite of FOX. It was as much a financial decision as anything.

MSNBC/Fox News. They are all the same. It's about keeping as many people from working together to accomplish anything other than funneling money into the coffers of people who don't really need any more money, but are unable to conceive of any other existence.
Think about it. Why is it that Fox television has all the coolest progressive shows such as Family Guy, The Simpsons and Glee along with the craziest batshit news on the planet, and NBC airs hour after hour of prison shows and police procedurals, yet pair that with their equally stilted vision of news? Heck, even CNN is useless.
Both of these networks entertain the opposite demographic for which the provide news.

sad day for them.

the 'gaggle'

who watches mourning joe? he's not crazy enough for the wingnuts and he's obnoxious as hell to liberals. so who watches?

i find myself watching less.

stories or points of focus. Now, they seem to have been handed the days
talking points, and they all grind it to death for hours. Can't take it.

"Scandal" after "scandal" liberal viewers are waiting for the storm to pass, this includes me. Wall St essentially owns the media, they are united in their opposition to the controls installed by the Obama administration, democrats as whole and anyone who does not legislate in the manner of Ted Cruz.

The storm will pass and MSNBC will come out even stronger!

They aren't much different than the other crap until the prevening and then just turn into a Democratic establishment platform balanced with Reich Wingers. I also don't give a damn about any of those talking heads they have now other than Maddow, who is quality but also leans cheerleader and establishment spending little time on economics and so we get an hour of digging into TeaPubliKlan dirt which is great and needed since the rest of the media is beyond worthless with holding the bastards to even a hint of account and propping up their bullshit but it is only a piece of the story and some stories are avoided or only lightly touched because everyone is in on the bullshit.

I dunno, my viewership has dwindled since Olberman left and without Ed even less. I also like enjoying my evening rather than getting pissed so content is only a piece of it.

I think maybe they should go more hard news, about 50/50 with what they are now doing, and try to steal the audience of CNN. After all, CNN would prefer to go more FOX and Entertainment anyway. The market will be open for picking.

aura of heady news reporting. Forget Fox - their viewers watch no matter what. But think MSNBC viewers, during disaster, switch to cnn....mostly since they seem to have more resources to cover what's going on? my 2 cents anyway

and even DU doesn't have the volume it once did, if you noticed.

There has been a change and Netroots Left and Left Dem values and programs have taken such a hit that it's possible that many have tuned out and gone on to other things. After all ...no one gets prosecuted except drug dealers, whistle blowers and anyone targeted as a Terrorist or Potential Terrorist.

What is there for the LEFT or what used to be DEMOCRATIC PARTY to talk about anymore?

There's nothing going on because it all comes from the TOP DOWN.

We are in decline. The REAL UNDERGROUND has gone GRASSROOTS with connections in states that are Under Assault with ALEC and Koch Brothers Agenda where folks are coming together without Netroots or Mainstream Media even being involved.

I gave up watching MSM over a year ago (Sigh of Relief) when I got my first ROKU Box and finally had access to International News that was free of commercials and New and Fresh. It changed my whole perspective. And, Wall Street is reporting how Media is moving from the Networks/Cable to Online from You Tube to seeking New Media to watch which is causing some consternation on Wall Street and with the Giants who've controlled us for so long.

Just my observation...

although I think that MSNBC tries.

But day after day the MSM just reports and documents the horror of it all (from the liberal perspective).

Chris Hayes did do a good piece on North Carolina and Virginia tonight --and Rev Barber was there and spoke well. There's no way to even say "good job Chris" since I don't do Facebook. But he really did a valiant effort to get the story out about the hijacking of North Carolina and what has gone on in Virginia also. I was amazed to see anyone caring about my two states that I am equally associated with. Uninformed people elsewhere in the country just write these 2 states off as a Southern problem. Not at all. This is a national problem. Chris put it in that context.

for Chris

Yes you feel like a witness only. And you get tired of witnessing, with no real progress for our side.

it's just not that important

I misread the initial article. I think it is for the month of May.

...last year's election was a long drawn out affair and one that worked in MSNBC's favor. The rushpublican clown-car derby followed by the ugly teabagger-oriented campaign created a spike in the network's numbers as it was viewed as being pro-Obama and an alternative of the crazy and hate that flowed on Faux and the stupid that is still Chicken Noodle Nuze. MSNBC was focused on issues that would prove victorious in November; they reaped rewards from being on the winning side.

Since the election two things have happened. The on-going right wing attacks along with sturn and drang from those on the left (the CPI/SS situation as an example) have eroded the President's popularity and along with it MSNBC. Losing Ed Schultz appears to be a big loss as well as Chris Hayes' wonkfest just ain't cutting it and Rachel seems in need of getting out of the studio and the media pyschobabble. Overall, there's been a post-election hang-over at the network.

This hangover crosses over to a lot of viewers as well. Faux...being the home of the losers...can and does use its Obama hate to keep its old and dying viewership enraged and they've created a string of "scandals" that are sure to keep their plates and heads spinning through next year and beyond. MSNBC has been on the defensive and many who were energized and tuned in a year ago are watching other things this year. In the ebb and flow of things ratings should pick up next year...or if some major political "crisis" arises...however the network product will need to be freshened up.

Also, I think people are tired of "Fair and Balanced". I think they prefer Honesty and Truth. How do you balance a partisan lie??

Voters can turn on for politics a few weeks or months before an election but cannot maintain that mode all the time. They are fatigued.

Chris Hayes is very intelligent but he does not fit into any schedule. The weekend early show was perfect for him. Viewers are relaxed and are able to think and process what he discusses. Other times they may be bored or in a hurry.

Also, once people get "hooked" on shows like Limbaugh or Hannity or O'Reilly, they do not switch on a whim. They feel they have an investment in them.

In my opinion, MSNBC should build on what they now have and report more from a progressive viewpoint, rather than a pro-Democrat viewpoint. Of course that favors the Democratic Party but voters are turned off by the rabid partisanship, in my opinion. Especially with the news media.

A classic example is the DOJ/Wiretapping "scandal". The report that the AP's phones were tapped leaked before any context of the story was known...the fodder that fueled speculation that has taken on a life of its own. The Obama administration was in a no-win situation from the outset as if they tried to ignore the story they would be labeled as "obstructionists" while by trying to disclose and explain, they look weak and not in control. The same goes for the IRS "scandal" as conjecture and rumor were all over the place before the facts began to come forward. If you have to constantly explain what you previously explained, you've lost the debate.

In many ways listeners to hate radio do so for their "daily affirmation", but rushbo and hannity have lost their "sexiness". The need to dig father and deeper into the rabbit hole has opened up the doors for snake-charmers like Alex Jones to benefit. Last year was a disaster for hate radio...having almost no influence on whom the rushpublican candidate was and then backing the losers. Add to that the Sandra Fluke slimming that hurt in the pocketbook at a time when radio revenues are at 25% of what they were a decade ago. The year ahead will see Cheap Channel and Cumulus...the two largest chains...move away from these liabilities.

AFA MSNBC...I am in agreement with you. I think the network needs to do something that's rare on TV news these days...straight-up reporting. No new ditzy special effects or softball beltway crap. I'd like to see the network create a "labor" reporter, an "education" reporter and so on...focusing on issues rather than on personalities. But I'm sitting here far removed from the internal politics and egos that is network television...

Cheers...

and moved a HUGE wonk (Hayes) right next door to another huge wonk (Rachel).

And for some inexplicable reason last night they morphed into the weather channel.

We certainly didn't watch.

Best host go.... Ed.

They should have known.

to inform themselves.

It's easy to plop yourself down in front of the Tube(screen) and just sit there , watch and be spoon fed the talking point of the day.

So it is arguing about which dwarf is shortest.

What does "Fair and Balanced" mean?

If something that is reported is a "lie" or fabrication, there is no way to "balance" it to make it more "fair". It is a nonsense slogan.

FOX operates on the premise that everything the "liberal media" says must be "balanced" with their one-sided, partisan reporting.

MSNBC should operate on the premise that truth and honesty are more important than "fair and balanced" and should not feel that they have to favor one Party over the other. If they are truthful and honest in their reporting, it will automatically favor the progressive viewpoint. They need to be less partisan if they want to increase their numbers.

Especially Chris Hayes, who being a New Yorker probably can't help it.

In general, Americans talk fairly slowly, and don't like or trust fast talkers. See Walter Cronkite. Can you imagine how many words Chris Hayes would use to fill a NASA launch delay?

in off election years, participation sucks


and bring back keith

they (we) need somebody to put them in the seats

Some interrupt the guests so much, they might as well not have them.

Tweety is especially guilty of interrupting.

Rev Al shouts so much, my throat hurts.

Chris is good, but talks too fast and tries to show his intelligence by drawing out his questions too long.

I get about halfway into Chris' show and turn off the TV. Rachel and Lawrence get lost in the process.

I think part of the lower ratings is that righties absolutely adore having their talking points thrown at them 24/7 - no need to think or investigate any further.
I see no need to listen to talk about stuff I already know; conservatives seem to find comfort in the repeating of kochcrap.
Plus "Democrat" has pretty much been replaced with "Reagan Republican". I didn't make that move with what used to be the Democratic party.

President is appointing Bush Admin folks, rinse, repeat. "Same is at ever was..."