I think one reason Fox news and the retrograde CNN shows have

[swag]

such good (well shitty, but less shitty than they should be) ratings is that we (well, not me, but the collective we) keep watching that garbage in some sort of horrified stupefaction.

SHUT THAT GARBAGE OFF.

I can't remember the last time I was actually informed about anything of value on any cable news network. The old-time networks do a little bit (but not much) better.

And while you're at it, SHUT OFF RUSH AND HANNITY, and make room in your mind for something of value. Those pricks are just alive to keep the knuckle-draggers amped and to put your knickers in a twist so you don't have time or energy to do anything valuable.

SHUT THE SHITHEAD MEDIA OFF!

[hlthe2b]

1. Here's a very basic question...

How the hell do they know if you or I watch? Ever rating is only based on surveys of Nielson families, right? If so, it does't really matter. Of course I don't get any cable news channels except CNBC, so I couldn't watch if I wanted...

[swag]

4. I've been in a Nielsen family

with a box on my TV.

Have you?

I bet other DUers have.

[TheDebbieDee]

6. We were a Nielsen Family..............

from April 1999 to March 2004.

I tried like crazy to get Friends cancelled. But, NBC kept renewing it no matter how much I didn't watch it. : ^ )

[depakid]

11. This is precisely why the whole ratings system is bogus

People first have to agree to participate- which of course destroys the random nature of the sample (people who agree are different than those who wouldn't bother)

Then they make "viewing" decisions (knowing that they're being surveyed) that are in many cases different than what they would ordinarily do... not suggesting that you might actually have watched "Friends" ;)

As a practical matter, broadcasters have to have some way to price their advertisements- but in terms of reflecting reality, the ratings game is a blunt instrument at best.

[hlthe2b]

9. NO... That's my point. While I agree with you that it is crazy to watch

that crap... does it really matter to their ratings if you are NOT a Nielson family?

[Still_Loves_John]

12. It does

Because only Neilson families get counted--unless you have a tivo, the only way they know what you are watching is by the Neilson box they install. It's like a poll--they get a representative sample and go with that. So it doesn't matter what you watch if you're not being tracked.

[Catfight]

2. I totally agree with you Swag. I have sworn off all that right wing

noise in my head. But it was amusing for a short while to see how they totally manipulate and use their spin to think for people. I am still amazed people don't see through their tactics, but most people are followers, not thinkers.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[thebigidea]

7. well, go call for their deaths on some other board, ok?

[eaprez]

5. Since their point of view is a given....

...I never watch or listen to the stuff. It serves no useful purpose. Time is better spent advancing my own interests. I have never understood why people on the left watch that stuff day after day, night after night just to get themselves all worked up. Its bad for your health!!

[tom_paine]

8. AGREED! Been doing just that for 4 years!

Newspapers..the best of a bad lot of Corporate Pravda.

TV "News" is garbage. Imperial Pravda.

[Eric J in MN]

10. I cancelled my tv service a month ago (nt)

nt