News Television
60 Minutes Lifts CBS to Top Spot in Weekly Ratings
The hour-long candidates’ edition – the fourth such pre-election “60 Minutes” broadcast since 2008 – featured Lesley Stahl’s interviews with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and interviews with their opponents on the Democratic ticket, former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), conducted by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell.

Published
2 years agoon

On prime time television for the week ending October 25, 2020, there were three NFL games, five MLB World Series games and the final U.S. presidential debate. But none of those telecasts achieved the week’s most viewers for a single prime time program on a single network. Those honors went to the CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes”. The special Oct. 25th edition drew 17.4 million viewers.
The hour-long candidates’ edition – the fourth such pre-election “60 Minutes” broadcast since 2008 – featured Lesley Stahl’s interviews with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and interviews with their opponents on the Democratic ticket, former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), conducted by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell.
While “60 Minutes” was certainly assisted by its late Sunday afternoon NFL lead-in (49ers-Patriots or Chiefs-Broncos or Jaguars-Chargers, based on their respective regions), the special had attracted controversy when the petulant Trump, who had openly railed against Stahl and her style of questioning, broke an agreement with CBS News and released his videotaped interview on Facebook before it was broadcast on CBS.
Online, it drew season-high digital traffic levels for a “60 Minutes” program on CBSNews.com, and an excerpt from the segment was the top video on YouTube’s trending list on Monday, Oct. 26th.
Excluding sports and multi-network programming, the Oct. 25th “60 Minutes” attracted the largest audience for any television broadcast since the Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 9. Additionally, it was the most-watched “60 Minutes” edition since March 25, 2018; that edition was also featured a Trump-related controversy: Anderson Cooper’s interview with Stephanie Clifford, the adult film star known as Stormy Daniels who claimed she had an affair with Donald Trump in 2006.
Sunday’s broadcast saw its best delivery of adults 25-54 (3.6 rating/14 share; equating to 4.33 million viewers within that age range) since the aforementioned date of March 25, 2018.
Over on the cable front, for the second consecutive week, Fox News Channel topped the cable networks in both viewers and adults 25-54. For the week ending Oct. 25, 2020 in total day data (from 6 a.m. to 5:59 a.m. each day), Fox News Channel averaged 2.43 million viewers and 467,000 adults 25-54.
Also like the prior week, MSNBC was the runner-up cable news network in total viewers while CNN was runner-up among adults 25-54. Their averages were, as follows:
- MSNBC: 1.47 million viewers, 245,000 adults 25-54
- CNN: 1.33 million viewers, 348,000 adults 25-54
Top 10 most-watched cable news programs in total viewers:
1. Presidential Debate (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 9:03 PM, 94 min.) 15.405 million viewers
2. Presidential Debate Analysis (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 10:37 PM, 23 min.) 12.143 million viewers
3. Presidential Debate Coverage (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 8:50 PM, 13 min.) 11.289 million viewers
4. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 8:00 PM, 50 min.) 8.152 million viewers
5. Hannity (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 11:00 PM, 60 min.) 7.533 million viewers
6. Final Presidential Debate (CNN, Thu. 10/22/2020 9:04 PM, 93 min.) 7.508 million viewers
7. Debate (MSNBC, Thu. 10/22/2020 9:03 PM, 94 min.) 6.929 million viewers
8. MSNBC Debate Analysis (MSNBC, Thu. 10/22/2020 10:37 PM, 23 min.) 6.594 million viewers
9. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 10/21/2020 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 5.330 million viewers
10. Debate Night In America (CNN, Thu. 10/22/2020 10:37 PM, 83 min.) 5.275 million viewers
Top 10 cable news programs among adults 25-54:
1. Presidential Debate (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 9:03 PM, 94 min.) 4.385 million adults 25-54
2. Presidential Debate Analysis (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 10:37 PM, 23 min.) 3.495 million adults 25-54
3. Final Presidential Debate (CNN, Thu. 10/22/2020 9:04 PM, 93 min.) 3.019 million adults 25-54
4. Presidential Debate Coverage (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 8:50 PM, 13 min.) 2.803 million adults 25-54
5. Hannity (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 11:00 PM, 60 min.) 1.908 million adults 25-54
6. Debate Night In America (CNN, Thu. 10/22/2020 10:37 PM, 83 min.) 1.817 million adults 25-54
7. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 10/22/2020 8:00 PM, 50 min.) 1.745 million adults 25-54
8. Debate (MSNBC, Thu. 10/22/2020 9:03 PM, 94 min.) 1.584 million adults 25-54
9. MSNBC Debate Analysis (MSNBC, Thu. 10/22/2020 10:37 PM, 23 min.) 1.469 million adults 25-54
10. Debate Night In America (CNN, Thu. 10/22/2020 8:00 PM, 64 min.) 1.230 million adults 25-54
Douglas Pucci
Douglas Pucci is a Bronx native and NYU graduate analyzing news television ratings for Barrett News Media. He did an internship at VH1’s “Pop Up Video” in 1997. After college, Pucci went on to design, build and maintain websites for various non-profit organizations in his hometown of New York City. He has worked alongside media industry observer Marc Berman for over a decade reporting on all things television, first at Cross MediaWorks from 2011-15 then at Programming Insider since 2016. Pucci also contributed to the sports website Awful Announcing. Read more: https://programminginsider.com/author/douglas/
News Television
NBC News’ Joe Fryer Receives NLGJA’s Journalist of the Year
The award is presented by The Association of LGBTQ Journalists

Published
28 mins agoon
June 24, 2022By
Eduardo Razo
NBC News Now morning anchor Joe Fryer has received a significant honor as he was named NLGJA’s Journalist of the Year.
The award is presented by The Association of LGBTQ Journalists, which honors “an LGBTQ journalist whose exceptional abilities, integrity, and distinctive work brought honor to the profession within the past year.”
“Humbled & honored to be named “Journalist of the Year” by the NLGJA — an organization that’s so important to the LGBTQ community. I share the award w/ my many colleagues at NBC NewsNow, TODAY show, & NBCNews who’ve helped me tell these stories,” Fryer tweeted.
Fryer joined NBC News in 2013 as a West Coast correspondent, following a stint as a special projects reporter for Seattle NBC affiliate KING. The NBC News anchor wasn’t the only network newser to win an NLGJA award.
CBS News correspondent Jamie Yuccas and the 48 Hours team won the Excellence in Network Television Award for the 48 Hours story The Life and Death of Nikki Kuhnhausen.
Eduardo Razo
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
News Television
News Media Reacts to Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade
There was no shortage of news media reaction when the official overturning of Roe v. Wade came down, some celebrating it while others shared concern.

Published
1 hour agoon
June 24, 2022By
Eduardo Razo
In a decision many already knew was coming following the leaked draft, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, overturned Roe v. Wade, which is the landmark enactment that established the constitutional right to abortion.
Since 1973, women have been permitted abortions during the first two trimesters of pregnancy in the United States; however, now the decision on this matter will return to the states, with a good portion expected to outlaw or severely restrict abortion.
There was no shortage of news media reaction when the official ruling came down, some celebrating it while others shared concern for what’s to come a post-Roe v. Wade United States.
Roe v Wade has been OVERTURNED!
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) June 24, 2022
This is a victory for 63 million innocent babies who have been killed – lost generations, who could not speak for themselves.
A victory for LIFE!!!
Again: It has become necessary to dissolve the Supreme Court of the United States.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) June 24, 2022
This is no longer a court. It is a Minority imposing its religious beliefs on the Majority: our House of Lords; Superlegislature; Theocracy.
Where possible, states must ignore its invalid edicts.
Whether you are pro-abortion or not, this was the right decision legally. You may not like it, but you were lied to by the Roe & Casey justices who told you abortion was a constitutional right. This Court set things straight & now it’s where it belongs: in the hands of the ppl.
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 24, 2022
Something that's hard to convey to people who don't walk in their shoes: there are a lot of women walking around today who aren't just sad. They're frightened. They're terrified.
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) June 24, 2022
Apologies. I’ve been in a funeral the past couple of hours & am just now able to read the opinions. Initial reports were 6-3, but that was only to uphold MS law. Roberts didn’t sign on to overturning of Roe, which means conservative justices still have targets on their backs.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 24, 2022
The Supreme Court overturned Roe, 50 years of precedent, with a 6-3 hard-right majority which includes 5 justices appointed by GOP presidents who lost the popular vote, 2 credibly accused of sexual misconduct, & 1 in a totally stolen seat.
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) June 24, 2022
No wonder there’s a legitimacy crisis.
I'm old enough to remember when Gorsuch, Barrett and Kavanaugh put their hand on the bible and told us that Roe was settled law that wouldn't be altered.
— Chip Franklin.com (@chipfranklin) June 24, 2022
Joe Biden making clear he wants to run on abortion. "This fall, Roe is on the ballot," he says. Good luck with that 2022 strategy.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 24, 2022
This must be the most pro-death “pro-life” Supreme Court in history. More guns, more death penalty — and more babies? I guess with all the killing, we’re going to need more people? Is that the rationale? Just awful. #Roe #abortion
— Van Jones (@VanJones68) June 24, 2022
It's not like the conservative movement has been hiding its intentions. We've spent 40 years being open and transparent about moving the Court right and people seem freaked out we actually did it. And all that means is you gotta work at the state level now.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) June 24, 2022
conservative legislatures will attempt to keep residents from traveling to other states to obtain abortions; will try to keep companies from providing out of state abortion benefits; will try to punish out of state doctors who provide abortions to their residents
— b-boy bouiebaisse (@jbouie) June 24, 2022
This is a state’s rights issue but now we are in for the 2 extremes, neither of which is good. On demand is ridiculous and disgusting BUT banning is counterproductive. You’re not gonna stop abortions, you’re just gonna stop safe ones. SAFE, LEGAL, RARE. #RoeVsWade
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) June 24, 2022
Another reason to be cautious about making immediate political predictions: A lot of people didn't know this was about to happen or realize what effects would be, including the lower-engagement people who are likelier to be swing/infrequent voters.
— Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) June 24, 2022
These our the times-everything us on the table. Remember that. https://t.co/GoD2qDCEvn
— Cari Champion (@CariChampion) June 24, 2022
Life Wins
— Buck Sexton (@BuckSexton) June 24, 2022
6-3
— Will Cain (@willcain) June 24, 2022
Eduardo Razo
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
News Television
Fox News Reveals Slate of Independence Day Weekend Programming
The network said in a release that over the course of the holiday weekend, segments will air in major U.S. cities including Boston, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles.

Published
10 hours agoon
June 24, 2022By
Ryan Hedrick
Fox News will kick off Independence Day weekend with its “Proud American” series beginning Friday, July 1. The network said in a release that over the course of the holiday weekend, segments will air in major U.S. cities including Boston, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles.
“FOX & Friends Weekend” will broadcast from the United States Military Academy at West Point on Saturday, July 2nd and Sunday, July 3rd from 6-10 AM/ET. The show will highlight West Point’s iconic Independence Day celebrations, including patriotic music from the West Point band, as well as interviews with cadets.
FNC will broadcast a primetime special called “A West Point Independence Day Celebration” hosted by Army Veteran Hegseth, Rachel Campos-Duffy, and Will Cain. Military Veteran and FOX News contributor Johnny Joey Jones will also join the special coverage, interviewing Medal of Honor recipients, West Point personnel and families in the crowd.
On July 4, the network will air a live two-hour primetime special entitled, “FOX News Presents: An Independence Day Celebration.” The program will air from 8-10 PM/ET and will feature “Cross Country’s” Lawrence Jones, Johnny Joey Jones, “FOX & Friends FIRST’s” Carley Shimkus and “Outnumbered” co-host Kayleigh McEnany.
Fox News will air the iconic fireworks display from Washington D.C. FOX Nation will also carry 4th of July content featuring host Abby Hornacek from Boston Harborfest, where the city is marking the 246th Independence Day celebration.
FOX News Audio will also present special coverage of the holiday, featuring original programs to be offered across its syndicated stations and digital audio platforms.
Ryan Hedrick
Ryan Hedrick serves as the Co-Host of the Morning News Express at WFMD. He started in radio at 17 years old, doing sports and news for his high school radio station. He then spent several years at WFMD in Frederick, MD before joining WBEN in Buffalo, NY. In 2016, while working at WIBW-AM in Topeka KS, Hedrick earned the Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB) award for Major Market enterprise reporting. Hedrick grew up in Southern California where he attended Cal State University of Northridge. He can be found on Twitter @SureToCover.