Networks

For Sunday October 25, 2009, "MTP" with David Gregory held on to the first place spot in both categories but "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos tailed Gregory by only 50,000 total viewers. CBS' "Face the Nation" with Bob Schieffer showed well in demo, tying Steph for the second place spot.

Total Viewers

NBC "MEET THE PRESS" 2,720,000
ABC "THIS WEEK" 2,670,000
CBS "FACE THE NATION" 2,460,000
FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" 1,090,000

Demographic (Ages 25-54)

NBC "MEET THE PRESS" 910,000/.7
ABC "THIS WEEK" 830,000/.7
CBS "FACE THE NATION" 830,000/.7
FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" 400,000/.3

David Gregory and "Meet the Press" held first in both total viewers and demographic last Sunday. "Face the Nation" and Bob Schieffer, who pulled the highest ratings in the 25-54 demo the week before, slipped to third in both categories while GQ's "Most Powerful" listee George Stephanopoulos and "This Week" climbed back into the second place spots.

The ratings for Sunday, October 11, 2009:

TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC "MEET THE PRESS" 3,020,000
ABC "THIS WEEK" 2,660,000
CBS "FACE THE NATION" 2,430,000
FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" 1,140,000

A25-54 MM/Rtg

NBC "MEET THE PRESS" 990,000/.8
ABC "THIS WEEK" 810,000/.7
CBS "FACE THE NATION" 700,000/.6
FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" 390,000/.3

CBS' Bob Schieffer and "Face the Nation" put the smack down in the demo ratings this week, earning first place bragging rights in adults 25-54. David Gregory and "Meet the Press" earned the gold in total viewers while George Stephanopoulos slipped into the third place spot behind NBC's "MTP" and CBS' "Face" in total viewers and demo after being rescheduled in several cities including Philadelphia, Portland, Las Vegas, and Reno.

A25-54 MM/Rtg

CBS "FACE THE NATION" 1,020,000/.8
NBC "MEET THE PRESS" 1,000,000/.8
ABC "THIS WEEK" 810,000/.7
FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" 430,000/.3

TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC "MEET THE PRESS" 3,140,000
CBS "FACE THE NATION" 2,670,000
ABC "THIS WEEK" 2,630,000
FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" 1,190,000

For Sunday, September 20, 2009, "Meet the Press" with David Gregory took the first place spot over ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" who placed second with a viewing gap of a mere 210,000 viewers. CBS' "Face the Nation" w/ Bob Schieffer came in a strong third.

"Meet" also took gold for the 2008/2009 season, averaging 3.8 million total viewers. Though Steph placed second, he closed the total viewing gap with Gregory compared to the 2007/2008 season, by 36% and the demo gap by 27%.

Sunday September 20, 2009

NBC "MEET THE PRESS": 3,290,000/ 1,070,000/.9

ABC "THIS WEEK": 3,080,000/ 1,010,000/.8

CBS "FACE THE NATION": 2,740,000/ 900,000/.7

FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY": 1,240,000/ 530,000/ .4

Average for 08/09 Season

NBC "MEET THE PRESS": 3,820,000/ 1,330,000/1.1

ABC "THIS WEEK": 3,050,000/ 1,030,000/ .8

CBS "FACE THE NATION": 2,880,000 1,000,000/ .8

FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY": 1,330,000/ 500,000/ .4

A FNC producer with Griff Jenkins at the 9/12 protest in Washington has been busted by HuffPo for rallying the crowd behind the camera.

HuffPo confirmed that the producer, Heidi Noonan "has been disciplined" by FNC Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton.

See HuffPo for the behind-the-scenes video and more here.

CNN launched a self-service, e-commerce site for its wire stories today. The new storefront makes it simple to license single CNN stories online. For $199 per story for a single use, visitors can pay with a credit card and download content immediately.

Earlier this year, CNN expanded the offerings of its existing wire service by making it available for subscription. Now via the online store, CNN offer a la carte, single use content on demand.

Interesting content distribution pay model. Check it out for yourself at www.cnnwirestore.com.

Matt Kibbe, president of FreedomWorks, the group that organized the tea party rally this weekend, told attendees on Saturday that ABC News was reporting 1 million to 1.5 million people had showed up to the demonstration.

The problem was ABC News did not report that statistic. ABCNews.com posted a story on Sunday to correct the record:

At no time did ABC News, or its affiliates, report a number anywhere near as large. ABCNews.com reported an approximate figure of 60,000 to 70,000 protesters, attributed to the Washington, D.C., fire department. In its reports, ABC News Radio described the crowd as "tens of thousands."

On his blog, Kibbe apologized Sunday for the mistaken attribution of the crowd-size estimated to ABC News. "With a dead IPhone, I had been shown tweets from a number of different folks behind the stage citing the ABC estimate," he wrote. "They didn't say it. I regret misrepresenting the network, as their coverage that day was fair and honest."

Read the full story here.

NBC's David Gregory and "MTP" again held on to first place this week but Bob Schieffer and CBS' "Face the Nation" shook things up by tying ABC's "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos in total viewers and knocking ABC into third place in the demo (25-54).

For Sunday August 30, 2009:

Total Viewers:

NBC "MEET THE PRESS" 3,060,000
ABC "THIS WEEK" 2,610,000
CBS "FACE THE NATION" 2,610,000
FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" 1,240,000

Demo 25-54:

NBC "MEET THE PRESS" 990,000/.8
CBS "FACE THE NATION" 960,000/.8
ABC "THIS WEEK" 880,000/.7
FOX "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" 510,000/.4

Congressional aides have confirmed to White House reporters that President Obama will address a joint session of Congress next Wednesday evening on health care reform.

The real questions-- will the White House ask for time from the networks, will it be prime time and will the nets give it to them?

The President's first address to Congress was in February so this would be his second (h/t CBS' Mark Knoller on Twitter).

ABC News is set to announce later today that Charlie Gibson will leave "World News." Diane Sawyer is apparently the network's pick to replace him in the anchor seat.

Gibson's email obtained by FishbowlDC:

I have always been taught you should never bury the lead - so I write to tell you that I have told David Westin I want to step down as anchor of World News, and retire from full time employment at ABC News.

It has not been an easy decision to make. This has been my professional home for almost 35 years. And I love this news department, and all who work in it, to the depths of my soul.

I have received much comment, and quite a few emails and letters referring to the signoff Eddie Pinder convinced me to use - wishing that everyone has had a good day. But the proudest part for me has been saying "...for all of us at ABC News...", since those words signify in my mind that I have been in a position to speak for an entire news department that I consider second to none.

It had been my intention to step down from my job at Good Morning America in 2007 but with Peter's illness, Bob's injuries, and Elizabeth's pregnancy, the job at World News came open in May of 2006, and David asked me to step in as anchor. It was an honor to do so. The program is now operating at a very accelerated, but steady, cruising speed, and I think it is an opportune time for a transition - both for the broadcast and for me. Life is dynamic; it is not static.

I have told David I would like to continue in some capacity contributing occasionally to ABC News. He has been receptive to the idea - and we will be discussing what that role might be.

Most importantly, my heart is full of gratitude for those with whom I have had the privilege to work as a correspondent, as a host at Good Morning America, at Special Events, and now as anchor at World News.

I'll be anchoring World News through December and will have a chance to thank many of you personally. In the meantime let's get back to the news...