Changes

The MSNBC network has perennially had very low ratings. In 2002, the network was regularly beaten in the ratings by [[CNN Headline News]]. The CEO of Microsoft once even admitted that he wouldn't have started MSNBC knowing what he knew later.<ref>http://news.com.com/2100-1023-268073.html</ref> In June 2006, [[CNN]] co-founder Reese Schoenfeld told journalist Don Kaplan that "Everybody compares MSNBC to Fox and CNN - when its real competition is Headline News". Schoenfeld pointed out that the ratings for MSNBC and Headline News are roughly the same, about 300,000 viewers on average and that "by comparison, Fox and CNN regularly average three or four times as many viewers." Kaplan even joked that "the running joke in TV news is Fox and CNN are news channels with websites, but MSNBC is a website with a cable channel".<ref>http://newsbusters.org/node/5891</ref>

The MSNBC network has perennially had very low ratings. In 2002, the network was regularly beaten in the ratings by [[CNN Headline News]]. The CEO of Microsoft once even admitted that he wouldn't have started MSNBC knowing what he knew later.<ref>http://news.com.com/2100-1023-268073.html</ref> In June 2006, [[CNN]] co-founder Reese Schoenfeld told journalist Don Kaplan that "Everybody compares MSNBC to Fox and CNN - when its real competition is Headline News". Schoenfeld pointed out that the ratings for MSNBC and Headline News are roughly the same, about 300,000 viewers on average and that "by comparison, Fox and CNN regularly average three or four times as many viewers." Kaplan even joked that "the running joke in TV news is Fox and CNN are news channels with websites, but MSNBC is a website with a cable channel".<ref>http://newsbusters.org/node/5891</ref>

Shock jock Don Imus's radio show ''Imus in the Morning'' was simulcast on MSNBC for over ten years. During this time, the program become well-known for displaying offensive commentary. However, MSNBC continued to support the show. In April 2007, the network sparked outrage when during a broadcast of ''Imus in the Morning'', Don Imus and another MSNBC staff member made remarks about the Rutgers University women's basketball team, considered to be both racist and sexist. Initially, MSNBC refused to cancel the show. After sponsors started withdrawing their advertisements from the show, MSNBC canceled the simulcast of ''Imus in the Morning''.

Shock jock Don Imus's radio show ''Imus in the Morning'' was simulcast on MSNBC for over ten years. During this time, the program become well known for displaying offensive commentary. However, MSNBC continued to support the show. In April 2007, the network sparked outrage when during a broadcast of ''Imus in the Morning'', Don Imus and another MSNBC staff member made remarks about the Rutgers University women's basketball team, considered to be both racist and sexist. Initially, MSNBC refused to cancel the show. After sponsors started withdrawing their advertisements from the show, MSNBC canceled the simulcast of ''Imus in the Morning''.

== Liberal bias ==

== Liberal bias ==

Continuing its offensive against the [[Bush administration]] and its reposition as a left-wing "news" outlet, in December 2007, the network ran a series titled ''Bush League Justice'' with the explicit purpose of attacking the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Justice Department]] under the presidency of [[George W. Bush]].

Continuing its offensive against the [[Bush administration]] and its reposition as a left-wing "news" outlet, in December 2007, the network ran a series titled ''Bush League Justice'' with the explicit purpose of attacking the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Justice Department]] under the presidency of [[George W. Bush]].

In October 2010, MSNBC has publicly acknowleged its liberalism in October 2010 while launching a marketing campaign with the tagline "Lean Forward," <ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39507182/ns/business-media_biz/</ref><ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/business/media/05adco.html?_r=1</ref><ref>http://theweek.com/article/index/207856/msnbcs-new-slogan-what-does-it-even-mean</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkinYM4EPy0</ref> following several years in which many observers noted a leftward shift in the channel's programming.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/study-nbc-news-doesnt-fol_n_139162.html</ref><ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090800008_pf.html</ref><ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/business/media/08msnbc.html?pagewanted=print</ref> As a result, NBC Universal and Microsoft is considering changing the name of the less partisan msnbc.com, a separate news company, to prevent confusion with the liberal TV network, MSNBC.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/business/media/07msnbc.html</ref> Some of the NBC News correspondents and producers, who attempt to be straightforward reporters, say they are embarrassed to be associated with the liberal cable outlet and fear being “tainted” by association with it.<ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=39332</ref> The situation became more apparent when NBC News decided to keep Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw away from MSNBC during the November 2, 2010 midterm election coverage.<ref>http://mediaconfidential.blogspot.com/2010/10/nbc-news-separates-itself-from-partisan.html</ref>

In October 2010, MSNBC has publicly acknowledged its liberalism in October 2010 while launching a marketing campaign with the tagline "Lean Forward," <ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39507182/ns/business-media_biz/</ref><ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/business/media/05adco.html?_r=1</ref><ref>http://theweek.com/article/index/207856/msnbcs-new-slogan-what-does-it-even-mean</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkinYM4EPy0</ref> following several years in which many observers noted a leftward shift in the channel's programming.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/study-nbc-news-doesnt-fol_n_139162.html</ref><ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090800008_pf.html</ref><ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/business/media/08msnbc.html?pagewanted=print</ref> As a result, NBC Universal and Microsoft is considering changing the name of the less partisan msnbc.com, a separate news company, to prevent confusion with the liberal TV network, MSNBC.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/business/media/07msnbc.html</ref> Some of the NBC News correspondents and producers, who attempt to be straightforward reporters, say they are embarrassed to be associated with the liberal cable outlet and fear being “tainted” by association with it.<ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=39332</ref> The situation became more apparent when NBC News decided to keep Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw away from MSNBC during the November 2, 2010 midterm election coverage.<ref>http://mediaconfidential.blogspot.com/2010/10/nbc-news-separates-itself-from-partisan.html</ref>

In July 2013, former MSNBC senior producer Jeff Cohen attacked MSNBC for being what he called the “official network of the [[Obama]] White House.” <ref>http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2013/07/08/former-producer-rips-msnbc-as-obamas-official-network</ref>

In July 2013, former MSNBC senior producer Jeff Cohen attacked MSNBC for being what he called the “official network of the [[Obama]] White House.” <ref>http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2013/07/08/former-producer-rips-msnbc-as-obamas-official-network</ref>

==The MSNBC – Media Matters connection==

==The MSNBC – Media Matters connection==

[[Media Matters for America]] is a very popular source of information within MSNBC’s prime time lineup.  Some might argue MSNBC is a defacto mouth piece for the organization.<ref>[http://bigjournalism.com/sright/2011/07/12/media-matters-propaganda-watch-the-tax-exempt-research-department-of-msnbc-martin-bashir-edition/ Media Matters Propaganda Watch: The Tax-Exempt Research Department of MSNBC, Martin Bashir Edition]</ref>  In prime time alone, since 2005 Media Matters has either been booked as a guest and/or mentioned on the network nearly 200 times.    Media Matters has been particularly popular with MSNBC’s producers during the last 2 years.

[[Media Matters for America]] is a very popular source of information within MSNBC’s prime time lineup.  Some might argue MSNBC is a de facto mouth piece for the organization.<ref>[http://bigjournalism.com/sright/2011/07/12/media-matters-propaganda-watch-the-tax-exempt-research-department-of-msnbc-martin-bashir-edition/ Media Matters Propaganda Watch: The Tax-Exempt Research Department of MSNBC, Martin Bashir Edition]</ref>  In prime time alone, since 2005 Media Matters has either been booked as a guest and/or mentioned on the network nearly 200 times.    Media Matters has been particularly popular with MSNBC’s producers during the last 2 years.

Below are some interesting tid bits about Media Matters and its growing relationship with MSNBC’s prime time programming:  

Below are some interesting tid bits about Media Matters and its growing relationship with MSNBC’s prime time programming: