Morning Joe suffers ratings nosedive after hosts met Trump at Mar-a-Lago

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Wednesday 20 November 2024 11:29 GMT


Morning Joe ratings have taken a nose-dive as hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski face a backlash for meeting with Donald Trump. During Monday’s show, the hosts revealed that they had traveled to Mar-a-Lago on Friday to “restart communications” with the president-elect before he takes office, marking their first face-to-face meeting in seven years.

Scarborough and Brzezinski have been highly critical of Trump, and so their shock announcement was met with criticism from fellow MSNBC colleagues, media pundits and political figures. Now, new data from Nielsen reveals that it may have also hurt the show’s ratings.

Morning Joe airs for four hours each morning between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. The cable news show is typically said to garner viewers hour over hour, according to Mediate. Nielsen data shows that 56 minutes after the hosts began explaining their trip to the Trump residence, viewing figures began to tumble.

Between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., they had fallen 17 percent from 839,000 to 694,000. Among the 25- to 54-year-old age group, viewing figures plummeted by 38 percent. During the 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. hour, the show briefly bounced back with 775,000 viewers but, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the numbers dropped slightly again to 770,000.

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/morning-joe-ratings-trump-meeting-mar-a-lago-b2650410.html

[Irish_Dem]

1. Instant karma.

My favorite kind.

[NotHardly]

44. They clearly did not think that through. Traitorous idiots.

[Irish_Dem]

50. They were trying to save their own necks.

Maybe afraid of death threats or legal action.

Yes they didn't think about their ratings or even care about them.

[C_U_L8R]

2. No one tunes-in to cowards and toadies.

Of all people, you'd think they'd know that.

[Attilatheblond]

47. Oh, lots of folks tune in to cowards & toadies, but they all already watch only FOX, so not point in going that route

Morning Joe, soon to be Mourning Joe, is, and has always been, just another pandering pol/windsock. He just lost his office years ago and has seemed to be campaigning on air ever since.

Not sure why Mika buckled under. That is a disappointment.

[EYESORE 9001]

3. I believe those two don't care about their own ratings

They bent the knee, and now they’re happy to have avoided hanging on the wall.

[orwell]

22. They both have plenty of money...

...they are trying to stay out of the Rapist's Gulag.

[patricia92243]

4. I'll give them another 2 months - at the most - before they are cancelled.

They thought Trump was the one to please - it is their audience they need to cater to. They goofed.

[underpants]

10. It should've been Stephanie Miller to start with

When Imus got canned they had one week trials with several hosts. when I saw Stephanie I was a fan. Smart informed funny and attractive- I know that sounds superficial but hey it’s TV. I thought it was a no brainer. Nope can’t have that. Telegenic liberal that could send people out on their day with an informed different perspective. They pulled Joe from his nowhere Saturday afternoon show. Already under contract I guess.

I liked the format with basically newspaper guys (mostly) sitting around with newspapers everywhere.

[FSogol]

11. I think many on the left are addicted to their show and will trickle back. That's what they are counting on.

We stopped watching them back when they helped normalize Trumpy during his first run.

[Lonestarblue]

17. I can't stand their show. Their promotion of Trump was enough to make me never watch them.

[33taw]

43. I never watch him. The few times I have seen him he talks over Mika and everyone else.

This just reinforces my feelings. I can't even watch Lawrence O'Donnell and I like him.

[Katinfl]

24. I hope you are right.

[dalton99a]

5. They should start wearing red hats

[jaxexpat]

19. They need hats like agent 007's licence plates. Change, flip, at the touch of a button.

Oh, come on. It was on the movie, Goldfinger.........you know, everybody knows Goldfinger! Yeah, Gold.......finger. James Bond, the real one, Sean.........Connery. Scottish guy. I give up.

[rubbersole]

6. Awww, bless their hearts 💕...

...sure hope their pile of money doesn't suffer. 😰

[Dennis Donovan]

7. They should be treated as persona non-grata by MSNBC hosts such as Rachel, Nicolle, Jen, Lawrence, etc

I had MSNBC on my TV 24/7 during the week before the election (I was feeling more confident about it) but it was on sparsely (only watched Rachel, Nicolle, Jen, Lawrence, etc) after Nov 5. After Monday's MJ confession, NSNBC hasn't been on once. Not even for Jen & Rachel on Monday.

It's part protest, but it's also part "i need to get my head out of this political space that's occupied it for months". So I'm watching documentaries on YouTube. No news on TV.

Can't give up DU though. It's party of my therapy.

[ZonkerHarris]

9. same here. the media does not deserve my veiwership.

[BigMin28]

13. I finally learned that

I used to be a news junkie. The news was background noise in my house. After watching what they did, all of them, for the shitstain during his first campaign, I decided enough was enough. The only change I can personally affect is through how I spend my money, and my time.

[ZonkerHarris]

33. your money and time have great power

[Katinfl]

26. I only listen to Nicolle's first hour.

I had been weaning myself off prior to Nov. 5. I still read Daily Kos, CNN, Huff Post, TPM, Salon, Politico (?) MTM online. That way I know what is going on but I don’t take the chance of seeing or hearing him. Can’t give up DU either. First site I turn to every day, multiple times a day.

[ShazzieB]

46. Monday's MJ confession?

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you're referring to here.

I've been watching a lot less since the election, too. Have continued to DVR the same evening shows, and sometimes watch it all, but other times I'll turn it off halfway through, and watch old sitcom reruns on TBS instead.

Now that most of the news is about TSF's asinine cabinet appointments, I feel like I'm watching a slow motion train wreck. It's just too damned depressing.

[Dennis Donovan]

51. Read the OP

[ZonkerHarris]

8. Karma knows your channel number

[Rebl2]

12. Good

May their numbers continue to decline.

[jimfields33]

14. Their ratings sucked even before this.

How can a network survive on only 800,000 eyeballs? Anything under 4 million should be canceled immediately. Can we at least have over 1 percent of the population watch a show?

[Marthe48]

15. I didn't watch morning or daytime news in the last 7 years

and as of the first week in Oct. I stopped watching and listenng to any news. I'll check here for that one headline I so badly want to see, but no more deep diving. The media had become traitor's handmaiden a long time ago. I'm tired of being led by a carrot, and always getting the stick.

[Shoonra]

16. A word in favor of Morning Joe

I think it more likely that their ratings dipped because the election season is over and most of the news about the Prez-Elect is coming out in the afternoon.

I think they did a good thing trying to establish some contact with our new but not beloved President.

[PJMcK]

29. Sorry, I disagree

Scarborough was trying to get back in Trump’s good graces so he would have access in the coming years. It would be the only way for his show to maintain relevance.

Scarborough is a coward and a toady ass-kisser. Thankfully, I never watch his show.

[Pojat]

41. agree

I wasn't thrilled about them meeting him, but then again I listen to their show to hear different points of view. A lot of times I just yell at my monitor when Joe goes off on something or other and sounds stoopid. But, I do believe that JS is on our side and Mika is a solid rock for our side and I don't think they went to MAL to kiss his ring. I do expect to hear them continue to be critical of him. Now, at least, they can say that they tried as he continues his path of destruction. Thanks for your post!

[Mr. Ected]

18. Seems to me their audience should diminish by around 100%

Live by the MAGA, die by the MAGA.

[Baitball Blogger]

20. They shouldn't have four hours.

That's ridiculous.

[ShazzieB]

45. Yeah, I've always thought that was kind of weird.

I tried watching that show once, a LONG time ago, and ended up turning it off pretty quickly. I just didn't care for Scarborough's personality. I can't remember exactly what he said or did, just that he came off as too brusque and abrasive for me, especially at that hour of the the morning.

I am not a morning person, and I prefer to wake up to something a bit warmer and more welcoming.

[Dem4life1970]

21. No sanewashing, Joe and Mika

I remember that Joe dropped an F-bomb on live TV on January 6th... I woke up on the day after the election and heard Joe describing Trump's victory as "similar to Reagan's." Seriously? 1% point? Only 6 more electoral votes than in 2016? This is how far he has fallen....

[Bdub]

23. Guilty as charged

I must admit, I have and will continue to contribute to that decline in ratings smh.

[Kaleva]

25. So the vast majority of adults had the sense not to ever watch that show

[The Unmitigated Gall]

27. Hope the slide continues.

Goddamn Vichy scum.

[slightlv]

28. I said previously I'd bet Mika's father is

turning over in his grave right about now. I figure the only reason they did this was 1) to bend the knee at the "suggestion" of MSNBC's rich management/owner; and 2) to hopefully avoid being threatened by T and his minions, and possibly have to fight against T trying to jail them for subversive speech (since any speech against T is naturally subversive /snark )

[J-9]

30. Hi recovering news addict here

I haven't watched any news since election night and my blood pressure has gone down.

This is about self preservation at this point.

Not. Going. Back.

[EarnestPutz]

31. I know it's all about ad money, but 839,000 viewers out of an adult population of 260,000,000 in the U.S., let alone....

.......the mid-morning drop of 69,000 viewers, seems to me to be indicative of nothing important, particularly when on considers the average viewer of the program.

[whathehell]

52. As to your last sentence,

did you mean the "average viewer" or the "average viewership"?

[EarnestPutz]

62. The "average viewer" of daytime television, a population distinct from the general population.

[mymomwasright]

32. Dishonorable people don't deserve a voice or normalization.

Those who tolerate it are complicit and enablers.

[obamanut2012]

34. Mika's father would, I believe, be ashamed of her

[DownriverDem]

35. Good to see this

I used to watch and liked the panel guests they had. I will never watch them again.

[hay rick]

36. I'm not unsympathetic.

Somebody has to talk to the enemy. If we shun everyone who talks to Trump world we will be less informed and less able to understand our situation and defend ourselves. Burrowing into our own comfortable nest all the time is a sure way to get plowed under.

[dem4decades]

37. I can't believe any DUers would watch again.

[MiHale]

38. Republicans will never change their clothes...

Once R always R. Trust none of them.

[LisaM]

39. I haven't watched any news since 10:50 pm on election night.

I put on a couple of weather updates yesterday for the bomb cyclone, but I can't stand to see or hear about Trump ever again. He's like crack to the news organizations.

[FirstLight]

40. Bahaha! 😂

I never watched them anyway, felt like they were a little smarmy. But I'm glad they got their asses handed to them...

Keep turning off the news. All of them are doing nothing but bashing Democrats and being idiots and kissing Trump's ass so turn them all off and let them suffer

[Trueblue1968]

42. I have no respectfor either of them. Ass kissers..... Traitors !!!!!!!!!!! Fire them !!!!!!

[angrychair]

49. Literally

99% of all news media is exactly the same. It's why we are here in this position in the first place.

[angrychair]

48. Safe to assume

That most, if not all, news media will continue to do exactly the same as they have done, which is sane-wash trump and his new administration. They will continue to make excuses and lie if needed.
We can no longer expect the news media to hold anyone accountable.
That is not a kooky or fringe position. They have proven that, over and over again, they will defend trump and his positions, no matter the costs.

[Bluetus]

53. And it is also safe to assume that

Comcast (MSNBC) never cared about any progressive principles. This was just an advertising demographic that they thought was underserved.

And they were right about that. With the demise of Air America and other outlets, there certainly was a huge void among the 50% of the voting public that continues to vote for progressive ideas and candidates, despite there not being a single major media outlet that genuinely reflects their needs and desires.

Comcast is not going to change. I'm sure that they know their best days have passed by. People are fleeing from cable packages in favor of streaming. Comcast still provides millions of homes with Internet service, but that will be under attach from 5G and lower-orbit satellites in the next decade. That has nowhere to go but down.

And likewise for the legacy OTA networks (NBC in this case) as well as the networks that grew up on cable (MSNBC in this case). They have never been sincere about anything progressive, but they were better than nothing. But no longer. Other than basic Internet service, nothing Comcast offers is much better than nothing now. They are trying to squeeze a few more years out of MSNBC by kissing Trump's ass. And why not. Probably > 90% of their airtime the past decade was all about Trump. So sending these two clowns to Mar-A-Lago isn't unexpected in any way.

The left needs to understand that the media universe is at a major inflection point. The old networks are as good as dead. The good news is that there is an opportunity to build new and powerful channels to replace that. This can be streaming, podcasts and other modes, but it will take a real investment. We need to find a way to offer some real content worth watching that will attract and cultivate a progressive audience. There is no shortage of wannabe pundits try to hold themselves out as the new expert spokespeople. You know who they are. Probably the most prominent is Meidas Touch, but really, they become tiresome because they just seem whiny and over the top. It doesn't strike me as anything smart or compelling.

There is a need for progressive programming that is more compelling and entertaining, and perhaps action-oriented, one that could include the regular participation of the leaders on our side. They need to forget about the Press the Meat shows, which are all dying, and think in terms of a whole new way of reaching our people.

[Miami Blue]

54. Great News 💪🏻

Last edited Wed Nov 20, 2024, 10:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Let's keep boycotting traitors Joe and Mika
until they are goners. Btw, I would appreciate it if MSNBC quit broadcasting everything that TraitorTrump does with his fucking Siamese
Twin Elon Musk.

[NoodleyAppendage]

55. This explains all the sports bullsh*t

Why should I watch Morning Joe when I can just watch ESPN?

They need to move over and hand the show off to people with spines.

Cowards.

[phxjurist]

56. It comes on at 4:00 AM in Phoenix. Not a chance that I would ever watch it.

[sakabatou]

57. I've been calling him "Morning Joke" for a long time

it's no longer funny. It's pathetic.

[mcar]

58. Did they really have no clue that their viewership is mostly from the left?

What did they think was going to happen?

Morons.

[Aussie105]

59. Just a convenient reorientation of attitude.

Following the pack, not leading it, trying to appeal to a different audience?

Lot of that happening in media backrooms at the moment.

[union rep]

60. Joes a Ho.

Should be replaced by Keith Olbermann. Remember Keith? he has a bad ass pod cast. MSNBC is corporate bulshit. Bunch of folks making big money, to continue drinking the kool-aid. To many better options to mention. Morning Joe has been a joke for a long time, no surprise to me that he's licking boots.

[ificandream]

61. It's one thing for journalists to communicate with an incoming president.

it's another to travel to his castle and make happy with him.