Imus debut is a ratings hit for Fox Business
In his first day airing on Fox Business Network (NWS), Don Imus did exactly what Roger Ailes hired him to do: attracted a lot of attention. The simulcast of Imus in the Morning earned an average rating of 0.3 and drew 177,000 total viewers, according to a source with knowledge of the Nielsen data. It was one of the most-watched programs in FBN's two-year history, and it marked a 1,500 percent improvement over the average rating of Money for Breakfast, the show that previously filled the 6 a.m.-to-9 a.m. time slot. The viewers Imus attracted skewed somewhat older than the 25-to-54 crowd advertisers generally prefer. The bulk of the audience, 73,000 viewers, were between 35 and 65 years old. The source had no information on how much of the audience stuck around to watch Fox Business after Imus in the Morning ended. A network spokeswoman declined to confirm or deny the numbers cited above, noting that FBN is not publicly rated.
Imus also beat its primary rival, CNBC's (GE) Squawk Box, by 17 percent. Squawk Box averaged 151,000 during the same time period.
Imus wasn't the only big-name arrival at Fox this week. John Stossel, previously of ABC's 20/20, started his new job as a host on Fox Business and Fox News a few days ago. Apparently, the speculation about bad blood prompting his departure from ABC was on the money: In his first blog post on foxbusiness.com, the libertarian newsman complained that ABC (DIS) cut off his blog without notifying him first. "So sorry I never got to say goodbye," he wrote.
The title of Stossel's post: "Free at last!"
Imus wasn't the only big-name arrival at Fox this week. John Stossel, previously of ABC's 20/20, started his new job as a host on Fox Business and Fox News a few days ago. Apparently, the speculation about bad blood prompting his departure from ABC was on the money: In his first blog post on foxbusiness.com, the libertarian newsman complained that ABC (DIS) cut off his blog without notifying him first. "So sorry I never got to say goodbye," he wrote.
The title of Stossel's post: "Free at last!"
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
10-06-2009 @ 6:08PM
abw said...
what did fat al sharpton have to say?
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10-06-2009 @ 7:22PM
David said...
Don and Fox are a marriage made in heaven ... a bigoted, prejudiced, racist slimeball and the most ignorant news organization on earth. Now the I-man can get REALLY close to his fan base: the haters, the "no" nothings and the lying right wing nutjobs that he has always aspired to be like. It's no wonder no one with half a brain likes this creep ... and that goes for the "unfair and unbalanced" news network too.
10-07-2009 @ 7:50AM
sieben13 said...
Stop HATING Al Sharpton,he had NOTHING TO DO with imus return. Given the audience that imus appeals to I can well see fox having good ratings
10-07-2009 @ 9:04AM
JVC said...
Who gives a crap-ola about fat man Al .
10-06-2009 @ 6:17PM
Richard said...
To all you nay sayers concerning everything about Fox News..When will you give it up and admit It must be YOU that are out of touch?
Fox should go after Jay Leno now!!
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10-06-2009 @ 6:25PM
Captain Jim said...
Don Imus was absolutely the best political interview show on TV until don made the unfortune and unscripted remark that got him fired--- Imus is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise partisan segment of TV
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10-06-2009 @ 6:33PM
David said...
All the Liberal bashing of Fox reminds of a story I heard a long time ago........ Recurits at basic training were getting ready to move on so as normal they had a dress parade to celebrate the affair..... Many family members were in attendence including one Mom in peticular. As the now, highly polished soliders marched by the Mom looked at the lady next to her and said....... "Can you believe this, every one of those soliders is marching out of step except my son................
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10-06-2009 @ 6:59PM
Westy said...
Imus should fit well into CLUSTER FOX Business channel. Racists and bigots like the same company. No real surprise here.
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10-06-2009 @ 7:11PM
mroneoftheguys said...
When the small mind can't understand it, the small mind will call it Racist....When the small mind attempts to find a way out of its stupid problem, the small mind will call the person that pointed out their problem, and call that person......that's right you guessed it.....RACIST.........
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10-06-2009 @ 7:21PM
DICK JENSEN said...
KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND LIBERALS. FOX IS MARCH FURTHER AND FURTHER AHEAD OF THE NEWS PACK. THE TRUTH IS WINNING. IT JUST PROVES YOU CAN'T FOOL ALL THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME. SOMEONE LIKE FOX COMES ALONG AND SHOW THE LIGHT. YOU CALL FOX AND IT'S PEOPLE NAMES, BUT CAN NEVER DEBATE THE TRUTH.
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10-07-2009 @ 3:10AM
Marsha said...
It just proves if a billionaire buys a station, gives it unlimited cash when it's a startup, and aggressively goes after what he wants, he can buy you. And you don't even know it. Return on his investment? A HUGE tax cut, worth way more that the station cost. I couldn't figure out why people bought Fox garbage, until I heard that half the people in this country have IQ's under 100.
10-06-2009 @ 7:36PM
jackisbackprt4 said...
I imagine the face of Don Imus resembles the buttcrack and anus of satan. Imus, a perfect addition to the Faux News Network of Obama hating liars and degenerates.
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10-06-2009 @ 7:41PM
rick said...
Interesting to read the comments trashing FOX news channel. Could it be that they can't handle the best news channel on TV. They must be, as they are beating the other so-called news programs hands down. Perhaps it's because they aren't afraid to tell it like it is, instead of feeding their audience pablum, which the libs gobble up. Go FOX.
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10-06-2009 @ 7:45PM
rick said...
Another hit show in the making, keep up the good work Don. We need more shows that tell it like it is.
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10-07-2009 @ 10:18AM
Teri said...
Exactly, Rick.
10-06-2009 @ 7:50PM
robert franklin said...
it has generally been my experience in my 72 years on this earth that those who have only insults and name calling to fall back on usually don't have a very sound argument. Calling someone a bigot or a racist doesn't add any information to a discussion. Actually, bigot and racist are losing their relevance because of overuse. if you can't construct a logical, cogant argument stay quiet. you'll appear better to those around you. it's usually better to remain quiet and have people think you're ignorant than to say something and remove all doubt.
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10-07-2009 @ 9:18AM
JVC said...
Go Robert Franklin....U da man fo sho !!!
10-07-2009 @ 10:43AM
Judy said...
Luv It !!
10-06-2009 @ 7:56PM
buckhunter said...
I have discovered ----------- if it was not for FOX news, we would not be getting both sides of ALL issues!!!!!!!!! thanks goodness for FOX.....
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10-06-2009 @ 9:16PM
jackisbackprt4 said...
buckhunter said...I have discovered ----------- if it was not for FOX news, we would not be getting both sides of ALL issues!!!!!!!!! thanks goodness for FOX.....
"===The perverted and distorted side of ALL issues.